Active and Passive Voice

Voice verb form that shows whether or not the subject is performing the action

Active Voice the subject performs the action

Sharon

is conducting a survey. Bob responded to the questionnaire.

Passive Voice the subject DOES NOT perform the action

The

survey is being conducted by Sharon. Bob was asked to respond.

Distinguishing Between Active & Passive

1.

2.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

8.
9. 10.

The researchers conducted the poll. The poll was conducted by volunteers. Volunteers used the phone to conduct interviews. Random people were selected for the poll by volunteers. Some people were visited by pollsters. The poll was designed by a famous scholar from Holland. The statistics were collected by the researchers. A philanthropist supplied the funding for the research. The conclusion was supported by his data. The conclusion will be issued by a publisher in Ohio.

Distinguishing Between Active & Passive ANSWERS

1. 2. 3. 4.

5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Conducted (active) Was conducted (passive) Used (active) Were selected (passive) Were visited (passive) Was designed (passive) Were collected (passive) Supplied (active) Was supported (passive) Will be issued (passive)

Passive Voice always a verb phrase made from a form of to be

Present
Past Future Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect

It is reported
It was reported It will be reported It has been reported It had been reported It will have been reported

Use Active voice whenever possible

Active:

Students conducted a taste test. Passive: A taste test was conducted by students.

Use Passive voice to emphasize the receiver of an action rather than the performer

The candidate was supported by voters. The students were assigned too much homework by their teachers.

Use Passive voice to point out the receiver of the action when the performer is unknown.

The secret research was ordered sometime last year. The lamp was broken while you were away. The car was wrecked on the way home from school.

Revise the sentences changing from active voice to passive whenever possible.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Research on peoples habits has often been conducted by scientists. A study on TV viewing habits was initiated by a team of researchers from a local university. Two hundred people were selected to participate in the study. By the time the study began, dozens of questions had been prepared by the team. These questions were answered by participants.

Revise the sentences changing from active voice to passive whenever possible. ANSWERS
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Scientists have often conducted research on peoples habits. A team of researchers from the local university initiated a study on TV viewing habits. The research team selected two hundred people to participate in the study. By the time the study began, the team had prepared dozens of questions. Participants answered the questions.

Revise the sentences changing from active voice to passive whenever possible.
6. The number of hours of television each participant watched daily was recorded by researchers. 7. The participants have been visited by field workers on a weekly basis since the beginning of the research. 8. The data have been carefully examined to determine trends. 9. All findings will soon be published by the university. 10. The findings will certainly be valued by television executives.

Revise the sentences changing from active voice to passive whenever possible. ANSWERS
6. Researchers recorded the number of hours of television reach participant watched daily. 7. Field workers have visited the participants on a daily basis since the beginning of the research. 8. The research team has examined the data carefully to determine trends. 9. The university will soon publish all findings. 10. Television executives will certainly value the findings.