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The active and the passive voice

PASSIVE VOICE

Bungsu Keumala Sari, M.Hum

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The active and the passive voice

We usually use the active voice in writing


and speaking. E.g.

The girl kicked the ball.

to someone or
Someone or does
something
something something
else
(the agent) (verb)
(recipient)

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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 was kicked by the girl.

has
Someone or by someone
something
something or something
done to it
(recipient) (the agent)
(verb)

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The active and the passive voice

Find out the active and passive voice

The music was played by the DJ. passive

The sun was hidden by the clouds. passive


Mary send the email to her boyfriend.
active

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The active and the passive voice

How to change it?


1.The object of the active sentence become the
subject.
2.Use to be (is, am, are, was/were, be)
3.Use past participle (V3)
4.The Subject of the active sentence become
the object
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The active and the passive voice
Active Voice Passive Voice
Simple Present (V1) tobe; is, am, are + V3
Simple Past (V2) tobe; was/were + V3
Simple Future will+be + V3
(will+V1)

Active Voice Passive Voice


she fixes the computer The computer is fixed by her

she fixed the computer The computer was fixed by her

she will fix the computer The computer will be fixed by


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her
The active and the passive voice

Sometimes in passive sentences, the agent is left


out.

The cake was eaten

has
Someone or
something
something
done to it
(recipient)
(verb)

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The active and the passive voice

Sometimes in passive sentences, the agent is left


out.

The thief Were


arrested

has
Someone or
something
something
done to it
(recipient)
(verb)

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The active and the passive voice

Compare these sentences. One has the


agent, and the other hasn’t. Discuss the
differences.

The man was murdered I see your car was


We do not know who
by someone! damaged last night by
did the murder so
someone
the agent is not
needed. It’s more
The man was I dramatic
see your without
car was it.
murdered! damaged last night.

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