PASSIVE VOICE [vb]

STEP 1: DEFINITION

English has two voices: active and passive. The active voice is used when the action is done by the subject: The dog ate my homework.

The passive voice (BE + V+-ed/-en/-t) is used when the action of the sentence is not being done by the subject: My homework was eaten by the dog.

The passive is formed with any time frame of the verb TO BE + the PAST PARTICIPLE.

The passive voice is often used:

  • to describe artistic, scientific and literary endeavors:
The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci.
Research is now being done on a cure for this disease.
  • to explain directions and procedures:
The game of Monopoly can be played by two to four players.
  • to describe legal and governmental matters and to avoid placing direct blame:
Reports on several new gun laws were being discussed.

When active sentences have verbs with direct objects (are transitive), they can become passive:

Active: She is reserving a table.

Passive: A Table is being reserved.

__________________

Active: A theif stole my stereo.

Passive: My stereo has been stolen by a theif.

Errors using the passive voice often occur when students do not edit for subject-verb agreement, omit the verb TO BE, or use the incorrect form of the past participle.

Incorrect: Legends has been passed down.

Correct: Legends have been passed down.

Incorrect: The lecture delivered by a famous professor tomorrow.

Correct: The lecture will be delivered by a famous professor tomorrow.

Incorrect: The missing man was last seeing at a park.

Correct:The lecture will be delivered by a famous professor tomorrow.

STEP 2: PRACTICE EXERCISES

Practice 1 - Recognizing passive voice errors in sentences
Practice 2 - Recognizing passive voice errors in paragraphs

STEP 3: LEARNING MORE

For more information on the passive and active voice, follow these links:
http://esl.about.com/library/grammar/blpassive.htm
http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/passive.htm