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Active Vs Passive Voice
At the heart of every good sentence is a strong, precise verb; the converse is true as well--at the core of most confusing, awkward, or wordy sentences lies a weak verb. Therefore, try to use the active voice whenever possible.
• In a sentence written in the active voice, the subject of
sentence performs the action. • In a sentence written in the passive voice, the subject
receives the action.
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Examples • Active: The candidate believes that Congress must place a ceiling on the
budget. • Passive: It is believed by the candidate that a ceiling must be placed on the
budget by Congress.
• Active: Researchers earlier showed that high stress can cause heart attacks.
• Passive: It was earlier demonstrated that heart attacks can be caused by high stress.
• Active: The dog bit the man. • Passive: The man was bitten by the dog.
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Converting sentences to active voice
• Here are some tips and strategies for converting sentences from the passive to the active voice.
• Look for a "by" phrase (e.g., "by the dog" in the last example above). If you find one, the sentence may be in the passive voice. Rewrite the sentence so that the subject buried in the "by" clause is closer to the beginning of the sentence.
• If the subject of the sentence is somewhat anonymous, see if you can use a general term, such as "researchers," or "the study," or "experts in this field."
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When to use passive voice To emphasize the action rather than the actor
After long debate, the proposal was endorsed by the long-range planning committee.
To keep the subject and focus consistent throughout a passage The data processing department recently presented what proved to be a controversial
proposal to expand its staff. After long debate, the proposal was endorsed by . . . .
To be tactful by not naming the actor The procedures were somehow misinterpreted.
To describe a condition in which the actor is unknown or unimportant
Every year, thousands of people are diagnosed as having cancer.
To create an authoritative tone Visitors are not allowed after 9:00 p.m.
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LETS PRACTICE!!!
1. Ac&ve : I turn the light off at bed &me • Passive : The light is turned off at bed &me 2. Ac&ve : We import a lot of cars from Japan • Passive : A lot of cars are imported from Japan 3. Ac&ve : They signed the agreement • Passive : The agreement was signed by them 4. Ac&ve : Lightning struck the tree last week • Passive : The tree was struck by lightning last week 5. Ac&ve : The police officer is ques&oning the bad boys • Passive : The bad boys are being ques&oned by the police officer
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Passive : The thief was being beaten up un&l the police arrived Ac&ve : They were bea&ng up the thief un&l the police arrived
Passive : You were being examined when we talked with a nurse Ac&ve : The doctor was examining you when we talked with a nurse Passive : The agreement has been signed Ac&ve : They have signed the agreement Ac&ve : We have delivered the catalog Passive : The catalog has been delivered Ac&ve : We will send you your examina&on results as soon as they are ready Passive : You will be sent your examina&on results as soon as they are ready Ac&ve : They will advise me about the price of the books Passive : I shall be advised about the price of the books Ac&ve : By the end of the day you will have done the exercise Passive : The exercise will have been done by the end of the day Ac&ve : You must obey the law Passive : The law must be obeyed
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