Active Example
The blazing fire blistered the outside walls.
Subject – fire
Verb – blistered
Object – walls
What is Passive Voice
When the subject receives the action.
When the “doer” of the action comes late in the sentence.
The house was built by Frank
Why Does This Matter
Active voice is stronger and more direct.
We know who did something!
More concise
Passive voice is often vague and boring.
Have to read more to find out who did something
Verbose – “to be”
Active is Usually Better
Immediately know the subject
Know the doer of the action
If we WANT to be vague – Passive Voice
Academic writing is NOT to be vague!
Examples
Active
They broke into the Watergate Hotel.
Passive
The Watergate Hotel was broken into.
By whom? Who ordered it?
Very vague
Clues of Passive Voice
1) A form of the verb “to be”
As, is, are, was, were, etc
2) A past-participle
Past-tense for of a verb
Convicted, stolen
3) The word “by”
If the performer of the action is implied, unknown, or omitted
Scenario
While rough housing with your brother, one of you broke a lamp.
If your brother broke it, you’d say…..
Active voice
If you broke it, you’d say….
Passive voice….
Practice
The art of Lucia Wilcox was admired by artists around the world.
Exhibits of her paintings were shown all over the world.
Her blindness was caused by a tumor near the optic nerve.
Practice Answers
Artists from around the world admired Lucia Wilcox’s work.
Museums showed exhibits of her work.
A tumor near her optic nerve caused her blindness.
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