Using Active and
Passive Voice
Would you rather?
Watch Lebron play basketball or
some random person sitting in the
stands?
Objective
Write using active voice by
editing a manuscript (8.W.6.1B)
Verbs and Voice
Voice is the form a verb
takes to indicate
whether the subject of
the verb performs or
receives the action.
There are two types of
voice: active voice and
passive voice.
Active Voice
Active voice is used to show that the
subject of the sentence is performing
or causing the action.
Example:
Lebron threw the basketball before
the buzzer.
Lebron shot the basketball from the
free throw line.
Lebron scored three points.
Active Voice
 These examples show that the
subject is doing the verb's action.
 The dog jumped onto the boy.
 The dog (subject) is doing the jumping
(verb).
 Kayah will give a book report to the
class.
 Kayah (subject) is doing the giving (verb).
 Mr. Morton ate my paper.
 The computer (subject) is doing the eating
(verb).
Passive Voice
Passive voice is used when the subject
is the recipient of the action.
Example:
The ball was thrown by Lebron.
The basket was shot by Lebron.
The score was made by Lebron.
Passive Voice
 These examples show the subject
being acted upon by the verb.
 The boy was jumped on by the dog.
 Boy (subject) was being jumped on (verb)
 A book report will be given by Kayah
to the class.
 Report (subject) will be given (verb).
 My paper was eaten by Mr. Morton.
 Paper (subject) was being eaten (verb).
Why does it matter?
STRONG
WRITING USES
ACTIVE VOICE!!!!
Why does it matter?
Active voice is more direct and concise.
Passive voice is usually wordier.
Active voice is like watching Lebron
play.
Passive voice is like watching gum
stuck on the bleachers in the stands.
USE ACTIVE VOICE!!!!
Watch this!
Not this.
Let’s Practice
Stand up and groove for active. Stay planted for passive.
1. Louise made the chocolate cake.
2. The chocolate cake was made by Louise.
3. The package was advertised by the travel agent.
4. The travel agent advertised the package.
5. The chain was broken by my brother.
6. My brother broke the chain on my bike.
7. I hemmed the prom dress.
8. The prom dress was hemmed by me.
9. The pencil on the floor was broken by him.
10.He broke the pencil on the floor.
Let’s practice!
1. The goat ate the flowers.
2. The police arrested the criminal.
3. The tree was struck by lightning.
4. Meet me here by 1 p.m.
5. The children were tended by their grandfather.
6. The flag was carried by the color guard.
7. The butter was churned by hand.
8. Jill was driving to the store.
9. Amy mowed the lawn.
10. The trees are trimmed every spring.
Let’s Practice
Directions: Change the sentences below to the
active voice.
 The apple was bit into by the horse.
 The idiot’s big shoes were run over by the tiny car.
 The airline passengers were made comfortable by the flight
attendants.
 The zookeeper was sprayed with water by the elephant.
 The bill was paid by the customer.
Rewrite the following paragraph
in the active voice with verb
tense agreement.
Last summer our house was painted by me.
First, the exterior will be washed using warm
water and a mild detergent. Then all of the
cracks in the walls is sealing with putty. After
the putty had had a chance to dry, the exterior
could be painted. A latex paint will be used
because it is easy to apply and cleans up with
water. A whole week was needed to finish this
part of the job. A color was used that was very
close to the original color. When the job was
finished, a great deal of satisfaction was felt by
me. Even my dad said that a good job was
done.
Objective
Write using active voice by
editing a manuscript (8.W.6.1B)