The active and the passive voice We usually use the active voice in

The active and the passive voice We usually use the active voice in writing and speaking. E.g. The girl Someone or something (the agent) kicked does something (verb) the ball. to someone or something else (recipient) 1

The active and the passive voice Here’s another example: The rain Someone or something (the agent) soaked does something (verb) the pitch. to someone or something else (recipient) 2

The active and the passive voice In the passive voice, we change this around, so that the recipient has something done to it by the agent. E.g. The ball Someone or something (recipient) was kicked has something done to it (verb) by the girl. by someone or something (the agent) 3

The active and the passive voice Let’s see that again. The pitch Someone or something (recipient) was soaked has something done to it (verb) by the rain. by someone or something (the agent) 4

The active and the passive voice In these examples, spot the use of the active voice and the passive voice. The music was played by the DJ. passive The sun was hidden by the clouds. passive Delighted fans streamed onto the pitch. active Marie wrote the letter to the headteacher. active Danny was praised by the headteacher. passive 5

The active and the passive voice Sometimes in passive sentences, the agent is left out. The pitch Someone or something (recipient) was soaked has something done to it (verb) The agent - ‘the rain’ rain - isby lefttheout. Why do you think that the agent might by someone be left out in this or something example? (the agent) 6

The active and the passive voice Compare these sentences. One has the agent, and the other hasn’t. Discuss the differences. see was your murdered car was The Iman damaged last night by by someone! my friend The man was I see your car was murdered! damaged last night. Far We better do nottoknow leavewho out did the the murder the agent is agent if youso don’t want to notinvolved! needed. It’s more be dramatic without it. Create your own passive sentences which would be best without an agent. 7

The active and the passive voice The passive is generally found in more formal kinds of texts, such as reports, forms, evaluations, etc. E.g. A small amount of water was added to the beaker, while the mixture was heated using a Bunsen-burner. The passive is used because the person doing the action (the agent) is not needed. 8

The active and the passive voice Sometimes the passive voice is appropriate in a story because it is used to describe a person being affected by events, just like in this passage: In the middle of the night Sebastian was woken by the most hideous scream. He jerked upright and his eyes sprang open. He was even more terrified by what he saw then.His flesh turned to goose bumps and his very blood curdled. His body was gripped by a paroxysm of horror. (passage courtesy of ‘Grammar for Writing’ DfES) 9

The active and the passive voice Look out for the use of the passive voice in sentences. Try to establish the effect of the passive in different texts. Use it in your own writing when appropriate. 10