Active vs. Passive VoiceActive vs. Passive Voice

English 3 – Mr. McGowanEnglish 3 – Mr. McGowan

Which of these groups of sentences Which of these groups of sentences is more is more direct?direct?

GROUP 1:GROUP 1:1. Clouds were forecast by the weatherman.1. Clouds were forecast by the weatherman.

2. Accidents are caused by carelessness.2. Accidents are caused by carelessness.

3. The letter will be written by her.3. The letter will be written by her.

4. The chocolates were eaten by the children.4. The chocolates were eaten by the children.

5. The dog was washed by us.5. The dog was washed by us.

GROUP 2GROUP 2

1. The weatherman forecasted clouds.1. The weatherman forecasted clouds.

2. Carelessness causes accidents.2. Carelessness causes accidents.

3. She will write the letter.3. She will write the letter.

4. The children ate the chocolates.4. The children ate the chocolates.

5. We washed the dog.5. We washed the dog.

VOICEVOICE

When the person/thing DOING the action is When the person/thing DOING the action is the SUBJECT of the sentence = the SUBJECT of the sentence = ACTIVE ACTIVE VOICEVOICE

When the person/thing involved is having When the person/thing involved is having the action DONE TO THEM = the action DONE TO THEM = PASSIVE PASSIVE VOICEVOICE

Passive VoicePassive Voice

““Passive voice is wonderful for politicians, Passive voice is wonderful for politicians, bureaucrats, and cowards.” bureaucrats, and cowards.” – John Schulz– John Schulz

It allows us to avoid all responsibility!It allows us to avoid all responsibility!

Ex: My research paper is not done.Ex: My research paper is not done.

(It’s not YOUR fault. The research paper simply isn’t (It’s not YOUR fault. The research paper simply isn’t done. Who was supposed to do it is irrelevant. done. Who was supposed to do it is irrelevant. You have avoided the responsibility.)You have avoided the responsibility.)

Classic examples of avoiding Classic examples of avoiding responsibility with passive voiceresponsibility with passive voice

““Mistakes were Mistakes were made.”made.”

The ball was hit. The ball was hit. Damage was done. Damage was done. The window was The window was broken.broken.

Rewrite in ACTIVE voiceRewrite in ACTIVE voice

1. The painting was admired by Jenessa.1. The painting was admired by Jenessa.

2. Euros are used as money by many 2. Euros are used as money by many Europeans.Europeans.

3. The field goal was missed by the kicker.3. The field goal was missed by the kicker.

Is it ever okay to use passive voice?Is it ever okay to use passive voice?

YES – to avoid using the vague word “they”YES – to avoid using the vague word “they”

They grow oranges in Florida.They grow oranges in Florida.

(Who are THEY? Vague and unclear)(Who are THEY? Vague and unclear)

Oranges are grown in Florida.Oranges are grown in Florida.

Other reasons to use passive voiceOther reasons to use passive voice

UNKNOWN PERSON DID ACTIONUNKNOWN PERSON DID ACTION

An anonymous letter was sent to the police An anonymous letter was sent to the police chief.chief.

DON’T WANT TO ASSIGN BLAMEDON’T WANT TO ASSIGN BLAMEMany errors were made in the game. (say, a Many errors were made in the game. (say, a

high school game)high school game)

Keep as passive or make active?Keep as passive or make active?

A new watch was worn by Mike.A new watch was worn by Mike.

Dollars are used in the United States.Dollars are used in the United States.

Five restaurants were inspected recently.Five restaurants were inspected recently.

An eagle was painted on one.An eagle was painted on one.

AssignmentAssignment

Classwork: Active and passive voice Classwork: Active and passive voice worksheet. Keep in notes.worksheet. Keep in notes.

HW: Exercise 8.11 – WRITE OUT HW: Exercise 8.11 – WRITE OUT SENTENCES.SENTENCES.