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Active Voice and Passive Voice
Identifying Active Voice and Passive Voice
Voice is the form a verb takes to show whether the subject performs or receives the action.
When the subject performs the action of the verb, the verb is in the active voice. When the
subject receives the action of the verb, the verb is in the passive voice.
ACTIVE VOICE Ms. Hart graded our papers. [The subject, Ms. Hart, performs the action of
the verb graded.]
PASSIVE VOICE Our papers were graded by Ms. Hart. [The subject, papers, receives the
action of the verb phrase were graded.]
ACTIVE VOICE A falling limb rang the bell. [The subject, limb, performs the action of the
verb rang.]
PASSIVE VOICE The bell was rung by a falling limb. [The subject, bell, receives the action of
the verb phrase was rung.]
In passive voice, the verb phrase always includes a form of be and the past participle of the
main verb. Other helping verbs may also be included.
EXAMPLES The mirror was broken. [Was is a form of be. Broken is the past participle
of the verb break.]
The mirror has been broken. [Been is a form of be. The helping verb has is
included in the verb phrase has been broken.]
EXERCISE A Decide whether the underlined verb or verb phrase in each of the following sentences is in
the active or in the passive voice. Then, write A for active voice or P for passive voice on the line provided.
Examples
P
1. Was the homeless cat adopted by a nice family? [The subject, cat, receives
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the action of the verb phrase Was adopted.]
A
2. Your sister has promised to bring my books. [The subject, sister, performs the
action of the verb phrase has promised.]
1. During the earthquake, city hall was damaged by fire. [Does city hall perform the action
of the verb, or does city hall receive the action?]
2. Outside the door, I scraped the mud from my boots. [Does I perform the action of the
verb, or does I receive the action?]
3. The entire wedding will be planned by a professional wedding planner.
4. I am surprised by your creativity.
5. Michelle’s enthusiasm greatly inspired the team.
6. Please dust the furniture in the family room.
7. Had the winners been announced by the next day?
8. Was this Web site created by your brother, Cliff?
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9. At their favorite theater Dawn and Alison watched a movie.
10. The pasta salad has been shared by Rick and Lucia.
The Uses of the Passive Voice
The active voice generally produces clearer and stronger sentences than the passive voice.
However, when you don’t know or don’t want to reveal the performer of the action, or when
you want to emphasize the receiver of the action, the passive voice is useful.
EXAMPLES A window was broken. [Who or what broke the window is unknown.]
Several insults were hurled. [The performer of the action is not revealed.]
The museum has received many donations. [The receiver of the donations,
the museum, is emphasized.]
EXERCISE B Revise each of the following sentences so that the verb is in the active voice. Then, write
your new sentence on the line provided. Hint:You will need to add or change words in order to revise
some sentences.
Example 1. Was the family car washed by Hannah and Harley? [Because the subject of the
sentence, car, receives the action of the verb phrase was washed, the sentence is in the
passive voice. The sentence can be revised so that a new subject, Hannah and Harley, now
performs the action of the verb.]
Did Hannah and Harley wash the family car?
11. A delicious dinner was cooked by Mabel. [Does the subject of this sentence perform the action,
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
or does the subject receive the action?]
12. All roads in town were briefly flooded after the storm.
13. These old coins were lost during the seventeenth century.
14. Coral reefs were chosen as the subject of my report.
15. Has the firewood been chopped by anyone yet?
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Fifth Course