Voice of Verbs

Voice of Verb shows

whether the subject is
the

DOER/PERFO
RMER RECEIVER
ACTIVE
And

PASSIVE
 ACTIVE VOICE

A verb is ACTIVE
if its subject
performs the
action.
Subject
Object

Ken bought a new computer

Verb
Subject
Object

Billy delivers the clarinet.

Verb
 PASSIVE VOICE

A verb is PASSIVE
if its action is
performed upon
the subject.
 Verb
Subject

A new computer was bought by Ken

Object
 Verb
Subject

The clarinet is delivered

by Billy

Object
 Ways of changing ACTIVE
to PASSIVE
The direct object becomes the subject.

The verb has always a part of BE that serves as an auxiliary verb.

The given, main or principal verb is always in the past participle.

The actor/performer becomes the object of the preposition BY.

*Consider the tense of the verb and the number of the direct object.*
 Example
ACTIVE:
Carl cooks Adobo
S. V. D.O
PASSIVE

Adobo is cooked by Carl.

S. Be-PP. Obj.
 Example
ACTIVE:
My uncle built a sailboat.
S. V. D.O
PASSIVE

A sailboat was built by my uncle.

S. Be-PP. Obj.
 Ways of changing
PASSIVE to ACTIVE
The object of the preposition BY becomes the subject.

The subject becomes the direct object.

*Consider the tenses of the auxiliary verb and the number of the
subject.*
 Example
PASSIVE:
The policeman is called by Luis.
S. Be-PP. Obj.
ACTIVE:

Luis calls the policeman.

S. V. Obj.
 Example
PASSIVE:
A beautiful poem was written by Betty.
S. Be-PP. Obj.
ACTIVE:

Betty wrote a beautiful poem.

S. V. Obj.
 Questions?
Clarifications?
 Brainstorming:

Brainstorm the types of things that the government does for the
population. The government repairs streets, cleans monuments,
builds schools and hospitals, etc…
 Rewrite the following paragraph in the active voice.

Last summer our house was painted by me. First, the exterior was washed
using warm water and a mild detergent. Then all of the chinks in the walls
were sealed with putty. After the putty had had a chance to dry, the exterior
could be painted. A latex paint was used because it is easy to apply and
cleans up with water. A whole week was needed to finish this part of the job.
A color was used that was very close to the original color. When the job was
finished, a great deal of satisfaction was felt by me. Even my dad said that a
good job was done.
 A.Identify each verb as ACTIVE or PASSIVE.
1.The letter was obviously signed by a stranger.
2.Most of the books are chosen by the librarian.
3.They manufacture pots in Batangas.
4.All of these four symphonies were composed by Brahms.
5.The judge suddenly called the lawyers into her chambers.

B.Change the following sentences from Active to Passive and Passive to Active.
1.The air conditioner was delivered by Gab.
2.Gordon painted pictures of magnificent sailing ships on the high seas.
3.The patient was taken by the ambulance to the plane.
4.My mother saves manufactures’ discount coupons.
5.The fortune teller will tell only pleasant things.
 Assignment:
Construct 5 sentences with active voice and
change it to passive voice.