ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

1. ACTIVE VOICE

   • USES
     • When the subject acts, the verb is active.
       • TENSES AND EXAMPLES
         • SIMPLE PRESENT
           • Louis writes a letter
         • PAST SIMPLE
           • Sue changed the flat tire
         • PRESENT CONTINUOUS
           • We are going to watch a movie tonight
         • PAST CONTINUOUS
           • Mary was reding a novel last month
         • PRESENT PERFECT
           • Ann has visited Paris
         • PAST PERFECT
           • We had already bought the tickets
         • FUTURE
           • Richard wil prepare pasta for dinner
   • The active voice is more direct and vigorous than the passive.

2. PASSIVE VOICE

   • USES
     • Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action
       • TO BE + PAST PARTICIPLE
       • FORMULA
   • TENSES AND EXAMPLES
     • SIMPLE PRESENT
       • A letter is written by Louis
     • PRESENT CONTINUOUS
       • A movie is going to be watched by us tonight
     • PAST SIMPLE
       • The flat tire was changed by Sue
     • PAST CONTINUOUS
       • A novel was being read by Mary last month
     • PRESETN PERFECT
       • Paris has been visited by Ann
     • PAST PERFECT
       • The tickets had alredy been bought by us
     • FUTURE
       • Pasta will be prepared for dinner by Richard

3. Sentences can be active or passive

   • The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence