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Active vs. Passive Voice. Active means the verb’s subject performs the action: USA constructed the space station. ( Subj ) (action V) Passive means the subject receives the action: The space station was constructed by the USA. (receiver of action) (V phrase) . Who cares?.
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Active vs. Passive Voice Active means the verb’s subjectperforms the action: USAconstructed the space station. (Subj) (action V) Passive means the subject receives the action: The space station was constructed by the USA. (receiver of action) (V phrase)
Who cares? • Writing in the passive voice makes your writing weak and lifeless. • Use the active voice to have strong writing with descriptive action verbs. • Using active voice grabs the reader’s attention.
How to fix it • Figure out the verb and who does the action. The space station is lived in by astronauts. • Move the performer of the action in front of the verb. Astronauts live in the space station. • Make sure the verb agrees in number with the new subject. Astronauts live in the space station. (plural subj + plural v)
Try it! Change the passive sentences to active sentences. Use p. 289 in the LN to help you. • The SGA is run by the students of BWHS. • A good time was had by all. • Passive sentences are written by weak writers.
Try it! Change the active sentences to passive sentences. Use p. 289 in the LN to help you. • My big sister ignored me. • She likes my little brother.