Voice and Verb Tense

Voice and Verb Tense

Verb Tense

• Verb tense (when) is determined by the HELPING VERB

• In passive voice, the verb will appear to be past, but that's not always the case.

Passive Voice Verb Tense

• Determined by the helping verb

• For example: The car is driven by Mrs. Smith.

• The verb= is driven

• Driven is the PAST PARTICIPLE

• You must look at the helping verb, IS

• IS= present tense

• The verb, is driven, is in present tense

Helping verbs

• am, is, are = present

• The groceries are loaded by Mr. Williams.

• was, were = past

• The groceries were loaded by Mr. Williams.

• will be = future

• The groceries will be loaded by Mr. Williams.

• Tense is important when switching between active and passive.

Multiple Choice

What tense? We are helped by the manager.

• present

• past

• future

Multiple Choice

During the storm, the tree was knocked down by the wind.

• present

• past

• future

Multiple Choice

Placement in high school will be determined by the guidance counselors.

• present

• past

• future