Active Vs Passive Voice

At the heart of every good sentence is a strong, precise verb;

the converse is true as well--at the core of most confusing,
awkward, or wordy sentences lies a weak verb. Therefore,
try to use the active voice whenever possible.
In a sentence written in the active voice, the subject of
sentence performs the action.
In a sentence written in the passive voice, the subject
receives the action.

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Examples

Active: The candidate believes that Congress must place a ceiling on the
budget.
Passive: It is believed by the candidate that a ceiling must be placed on the
budget by Congress.
Active: Researchers earlier showed that high stress can cause heart
attacks.
Passive: It was earlier demonstrated that heart attacks can be caused by
high stress.
Active: The dog bit the man.
Passive: The man was bitten by the dog.

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Converting sentences to active voice

Here are some tips and strategies for converting sentences from the passive to
the active voice.

Look for a "by" phrase (e.g., "by the dog" in the last example above). If you
find one, the sentence may be in the passive voice. Rewrite the sentence so that
the subject buried in the "by" clause is closer to the beginning of the sentence.

If the subject of the sentence is somewhat anonymous, see if you can use a
general term, such as "researchers," or "the study," or "experts in this field."

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When to use passive voice

To emphasize the action rather than the actor
After long debate, the proposal was endorsed by the long-range planning committee.
To keep the subject and focus consistent throughout a passage
The data processing department recently presented what proved to be a controversial
proposal to expand its staff. After long debate, the proposal was endorsed by . . . .
To be tactful by not naming the actor
The procedures were somehow misinterpreted.
To describe a condition in which the actor is unknown or unimportant
Every year, thousands of people are diagnosed as having cancer.
To create an authoritative tone
Visitors are not allowed after 9:00 p.m.
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LETS PRACTICE!!!
1. Ac&ve
Passive

2. Ac&ve
Passive

3. Ac&ve
Passive

4. Ac&ve
Passive

5. Ac&ve
Passive

: I turn the light o at bed &me

: The light is turned o at bed &me
: We import a lot of cars from Japan
: A lot of cars are imported from Japan
: They signed the agreement
: The agreement was signed by them
: Lightning struck the tree last week
: The tree was struck by lightning last week
: The police ocer is ques&oning the bad boys
: The bad boys are being ques&oned by the police ocer

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Passive
Ac&ve
Passive
Ac&ve

Passive
Ac&ve

Ac&ve
Passive

Ac&ve
Passive

Ac&ve
Passive

Ac&ve
Passive

Ac&ve
Passive

: The thief was being beaten up un&l the police arrived

: They were bea&ng up the thief un&l the police arrived

: You were being examined when we talked with a nurse
: The doctor was examining you when we talked with a nurse
: The agreement has been signed
: They have signed the agreement
: We have delivered the catalog
: The catalog has been delivered
: We will send you your examina&on results as soon as they are ready
: You will be sent your examina&on results as soon as they are ready
: They will advise me about the price of the books
: I shall be advised about the price of the books
: By the end of the day you will have done the exercise
: The exercise will have been done by the end of the day
: You must obey the law
: The law must be obeyed
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