CP Writing Grammar Lesson #3 - Active Voice vs. Passive Voice

Rules - The action verb is in the active voice when the subject of the sentence performs the action.

1. Active voice is stronger. 2. Sometimes passive voice is preferable or even necessary. If you don’t want to call attention to the performer of the action or don’t know who the performer is, use passive voice. 3. To form the passive, use a form of the auxiliary verb to be with the past participle of the verb (form varies, usually –ed).

Exercises: Rewrite each sentence in active voice. You might need to add a subject.

1. Tim was warned to stay away by Isabella.

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2. The first widely synthetic plastic was invented by a man looking for a cheap way to make billiard balls.

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______3. The windows were shattered by an explosion that was heard all over town.

______4. The bratty kid was changed into a frog.

______5. Respect was needed by him as much as money was, but neither was received.

______6. The directions were written in French.

______7. Ann was easily persuaded to go to the party.

______8. The winners of the contest were announced today.

______9. The cake was cut into four parts.

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10. Derek Zoolander was brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of Malaysia by Mugatu.

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