DELL YOUTH LEARNING

Dell Youth Learning

Implemented by

Learning Links Foundation

1

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Defining “Voice”• “Voice” is a characteristic of

verbs which indicates the relation of the verb’s action to its subject.

• The voice of a verb may be either “active” or “passive.”

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Active Voice• Active voice verbs are

used when the subject is acting in a sentence.

• Example:– Cindy steered the boat.

• “Steered” is an active verb because it allows the subject to undertake an action.

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Passive Voice• “Passive voice” verbs are used when

the subject is being acted upon in a sentence.

• Example: – The mountain’s peak was reached

by Ed Danvers.

• “Was reached” are considered passive because they indicate that the subject (peak) is receiving an action.

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Effective one-Passive • Although both constructions are grammatically correct, the active voice is usually

more effective in academic and business writing because it is simpler and more direct. The passive construction is effective only when the doer of the action is unknown or irrelevant.

Examples– The cruise liner was hijacked.– The ball was hit.– The town was quarantined.

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Review• Active voice verbs: Verbs that

indicate the sentence’s subject as actively acting:– Sachin hit the ball.

• Passive voice verbs: Verbs that indicated the sentence’s subject as being acted upon:– The ball was hit by Sachin

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Exercise• I ate a piece of chocolate cake – • The librarian read the book to the students – • The money was stolen –• They are paid on Fridays –• The movie is being made in Hollywood – • I washed my car three weeks ago – • His hair was cut by a professional – • I will introduce you to my boss this week –• It would have been fixed on the weekend – • The national anthem is being sung by Jason this time –

DELL YOUTH LEARNING

Exercise• I ate a piece of chocolate cake – Active Voice• The librarian read the book to the students – Active

Voice• The money was stolen – Passive Voice• They are paid on Fridays – Passive Voice• The movie is being made in Hollywood – Passive Voice• I washed my car three weeks ago – Active Voice• His hair was cut by a professional – Passive Voice• I will introduce you to my boss this week – Active Voice• It would have been fixed on the weekend – Passive

Voice• The national anthem is being sung by Jason this time –

Passive Voice