The Voice of the Verb

Active and Passive Voice

What is Voice?

The voice of a verb describes the relationship between the verb and the participants - it describes whether the subject is acting upon the verb or whether the verb is acting upon the subject

What are the two Voices?

Active Voice and Passive Voice

Active Voice

The verb is said to be in the active voice when the subject is the doer of the verb.

Example

I sing the song.

Passive Voice

The verb is said to be in the passive voice when the verb is acting upon the subject

Example of passive voice

The song is sung by me.

Multiple Choice

When the verb is acting upon the subject, the verb is in the _________

• Active voice

• Passive voice

Multiple Choice

When the subject is acting upon the verb, the verb is in the

• Active voice

• Passive voice

Useful tips for converting active to passive voice

• Switch the subject to the end of the sentence in passive voice

• Change the pronouns accordingly (I - am; he - him, etc.)

• Use the past participle form of the verb for the passive voice

Examples of active to passive.

He is driving the car. = The car is being driven by him.

They are playing football. = Football is being played by them.

Why did you eat the cake? = Why was the cake eaten by you?

Where did you throw the trash? = Where was the trash thrown by you?

We were eating dessert when he walked in. = Dessert was being eaten by us when he walked in.