EXERCISE SHEET: ACTIVE VS PASSIVE VOICE
Active voice occurs when a clear subject performs a clear action.
Passive voice occurs when one uses a “to-be” verb (am, is, are, was, were, be,
being, been) with a past tense verb. Sentences with “to-be” verbs are passive
because they describe an object rather than show action.
CHANGING PASSIVE VOICE TO ACTIVE VOICE
1. Find the action – First, if there is a verb connected to the “to-be” verb of the sentence, then it may be
the main action. If the only verb in the sentence is a “to-be” verb, then it must be replaced with an
action.
2. Determine the “doer” of the action– Next, find the “doer,” or subject, of the action. This “doer” may be
in the sentence or a previous sentence.
3. Rearrange the sentence – Finally, rearrange the sentence so that the new subject and its following
action are at the beginning of the sentence.
4. Polish the sentence – Check your sentence to make sure that it flows well. If part of the sentence
sounds awkward, consider changing your wording.
EXAMPLES
1. The paper was wrien by Colin. (Passive Voice)
●Find the action: The paper was wrien by Colin.
●Determine the “doer”: The paper was wrien by Colin.
●Rearrange the sentence:Colin wrote the paper. (Active Voice)
2. There was a vast wealth of knowledge in the book that Becky read.
●Find the action: There was a vast wealth of knowledge in the book that Becky read.
●Determine the “doer”: There was a vast wealth of knowledge in the book that Becky read.
●Rearrange the sentence:Becky read a vast wealth of knowledge in the book. (Active Voice)
●Polish the sentence:Becky discovered a vast wealth of knowledge in her book. (Active Voice)
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