Upload
gaby-garcia
View
45
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Active vs Passive VoiceUniversidad Nacional de
ChimborazoGrammar VI
Names: Kerly Cabezas. Gabriela García. María Palacios. David Buñay.
Active VoiceActive Voice – indicates that the subject of the verb is acting
Because the subject does or "acts upon" the verb in such sentences, the sentences are said to be in the active voice.
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).
Kristy will give a book report to the class. Kristy (subject) is doing the giving (verb).
The computer ate my paper. The computer (subject) is doing the eating
(verb).
Passive VoiceIn a passive voice sentence, the subject
and object flip-flop. The subject becomes the passive recipient of the action.
Because the subject is being "acted upon" (or is passive), such sentences are said to be in the passive voice.
Passive VoiceThese 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 Kristy to the class.Report (subject) will be given (verb).
My paper was eaten by the computer.Paper (subject) was being eaten (verb).
(A.) The teacher returned the exams on Monday.
(B.) The exams were returned on Monday.
The two sentences have basically the same meaning, but the emphasis changes according to which subject the writer uses. In sentence (A), the writer focuses on the teacher, while in sentence (B) the focus is on the exams.
Forming the Passive Voice
The passive voice is formed with the verb be + past participle. The tense is shown by the form of the verb be. The verb be must agree with the subject.
An outstanding student is awarded* the scholarship every year.
Shannon was awarded* the scholarship last night.
*This is not a past tense –ed.
The Past Progressive
was / were + being + past participle
By the time I got to the plane, the doors were being closed.
The Future Perfect
will have been + past participle
We will have been given the assignment details by then.
Using Modals in the Passive Voice
Present/future:modal + be + past participle
The computer can be upgraded.
Past modals:modal + have been + past participle
The traffic delays must have been caused by
snow.
Using Infinitive & Gerunds with the Passive Voice
verb + infinitives:verb + to be + past participle
The children like to be kissed before going to bed.
verb + gerunds:gerund + being + past participle
He dislikes being treated like a child.
The verb be is followed by –ing (the present participle) to form the progressive.
We are planning our next vacation.They were living in Guadalajara last year.
The verb be is followed by –ed (the past participle) to form the passive.
Essays are turned in every Monday.My essay was turned in yesterday.
Using the Passive Voice
Use the passive voice in the following circumstances:
1. When the person or thing doing the action is obvious, unknown, or unimportant.
Many trees were planted to replace those lost in the fire.
The house was built in 1850. Tobacco is grown in the South.
2. When you don’t want to mention the person doing the action.
Several failing grades were received in ESL 184.
The information was given to the police investigator.
The new law was passed without our knowledge.
3. When you want to emphasize the receiver of the action or the result of the action.
International students are housed in the homes of local families.
A new computer system is being installed to improve our computer’s speed.
Children can be taught good manners at an early age.
4. When you are describing a process.
The specimens were collected and placed on a slide.
The eggs are beaten until they are creamy. The wheel is attached to the axle before the
nuts are tightened.
Only transitive verbs (verbs that take a direct object) can be used in the passive voice. Intransitive verbs cannot be made passive. Do not use these verbs in the passive voice.
appear belong exist seemarrive comehappen sleepbe die occur rise