Active & Passive Voice Lesson

Active & Passive Voice Lesson

Action verbs are written in either active or passive voice.

In active voice, the subject is DOING the action.

• Mrs. Campbell assigned a lot of homework to her students.

• Mrs. Campbell's students completed all of their homework.

In passive voice, the subject is RECEIVING the action.

• The students were assigned a lot of homework by Mrs. Campbell.

• All of the homework was done by Mrs. Campbell's students.

Active voice is more exciting and interesting to read.

• The explosion rocked the city!

• Waves of fire devoured the buildings and streets.

Passive voice sounds more technical and a bit boring. (Try not to write your essays in Passive voice!)

• The city was rocked by an explosion.

• The buildings and streets were devoured by waves of fire.

Multiple Choice

Ashley mailed her college application just in time.

• Active voice

• Passive voice

Multiple Choice

The ballots have been counted by the Student Government Association.

• Active voice

• Passive voice

Multiple Choice

At each concert, the soprano sang at least one song from a well-known opera.

• Active voice

• Passive voice

Multiple Choice

Colorful parrots live in the exotic rain forests of Brazil.

• Active voice

• Passive voice

Multiple Choice

A suspect was questioned for sixteen hours by the police.

• Active voice

• Passive voice

Multiple Choice

Large chunks of asbestos were removed from the walls by the construction team.

• Active voice

• Passive voice

Multiple Choice

Women were discriminated against during the 1920s.

• Active voice

• Passive voice

Multiple Choice

Voters cast their ballots for the presidential elections.

• Active voice

• Passive voice

Multiple Choice

Little Richard was sued for copyright infractions.

• Active voice

• Passive voice

Multiple Choice

Oprah Winfrey fulfilled the American Dream.

• Active voice

• Passive voice