Active and passive voice

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수업 노트

What is Voice?

Voice tells us who does the action in a sentence.
There are two main voices in English: active and passive.
In active voice, the subject does the action.
In passive voice, the subject has the action done to it.
Example: 'The cat ate the mouse.' (active) vs. 'The mouse was eaten by the cat.' (passive).

Active Voice

In active voice, the subject is the doer of the action.
It is the most common and direct way to write.
Example: 'Roger Bigod saw the castles.' – Roger Bigod is doing the seeing.
Active sentences are usually clearer and stronger.

Passive Voice

In passive voice, the subject is the receiver of the action.
It is formed with 'to be' + past participle of the main verb.
Example: 'The castles were seen by Roger Bigod.' – The castles receive the seeing.
The doer (agent) can be left out: 'The castles were seen.'
Passive voice is useful when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

How to Change Active to Passive

Move the object of the active sentence to the subject position.
Change the verb to 'to be' + past participle.
Put the original subject after 'by' (optional).
Example: 'The cat ate the mouse.' → 'The mouse was eaten by the cat.'
Practice with: 'The chef cooked the meal.' → 'The meal was cooked by the chef.'

The Agent (Doer)

The agent is the person or thing that does the action.
In passive sentences, the agent often comes after 'by'.
Example: 'The mouse was eaten by the cat.' – 'the cat' is the agent.
We can leave out the agent if it is unknown or not important.
Example: 'My bike was stolen.' (We don't know who stole it.)

When to Use Passive Voice

Use passive voice in scientific writing to focus on what happened, not who did it.
Use it in news reports when the doer is unknown or less important.
Use it when you want to be formal or polite.
Example: 'The experiment was completed.' (scientific)
Example: 'The window was broken.' (news – we may not know who broke it)

Why Not Overuse Passive Voice?

Overusing passive voice can make writing vague and wordy.
It can hide who is responsible for an action.
Example: 'Mistakes were made.' (Who made them?)
Active voice is usually clearer and more direct.
Use passive voice only when it is useful, not all the time.

Identifying Voice in Sentences

Ask: Is the subject doing the action or receiving it?
If the subject does the action, it is active.
If the subject receives the action, it is passive.
Look for 'to be' + past participle – often a sign of passive.
Example: 'The dog chased the ball.' (active) vs. 'The ball was chased by the dog.' (passive)

슬라이드

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연습 문제

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1.In the sentence 'The cat ate the mouse.', who or what does the action?
Easy
- Athe cat
- Bthe mouse
- Cthe food
- Dthe table
2.Which sentence is in the passive voice?
Easy
- AThe mouse was eaten by the cat.
- BThe cat ate the mouse.
- CThe cat is eating the mouse.
- DThe mouse eats the cheese.
3.In the active voice, the subject of the sentence does the action.
Easy
True or false?
4.Which sentence is in the active voice?
Easy
- AThe ball was thrown by Sam.
- BSam threw the ball.
- CThe ball is thrown.
- DThe ball was thrown.
5.Which of the following are reasons why we might use the passive voice? (Select all that apply)
Easy
- AWhen we don't know who did the action
- BWhen we want to focus on the action, not the doer
- CWhen we want to make the sentence longer
- DWhen we want to be formal or scientific
- EWhen we want to show who is doing the action
6.Match each sentence to its voice.
Medium
- The dog chased the cat.
- The cat was chased by the dog.
- The cat chased the mouse.
- Active
- Passive
- Active
7.Put the steps in order to change the active sentence 'The dog bit the man.' into passive.
Medium
- Move 'the man' to the front as the new subject.
- Change the verb to 'was bitten'.
- Add 'by the dog' at the end.
- Remove the original subject or keep it after 'by'.
8.In the sentence 'The mouse was eaten.', the doer of the action is known.
Medium
True or false?

더 많은 문제

9.Which of the following sentences are in the passive voice? (Select all that apply)
Hard
- AThe letter was written by Anna.
- BAnna wrote the letter.
- CThe letter is written.
- DThe letter writes itself.
- EThe letter was written.
10.Which sentence is NOT in the passive voice?
Hard
- AThe cake was eaten by the children.
- BThe children ate the cake.
- CThe cake is eaten.
- DThe cake has been eaten.
11.Using the passive voice too often can make writing vague.
Hard
True or false?
12.Arrange the sentences from most active to most passive.
Challenge
- The boy kicked the ball.
- The ball was kicked by the boy.
- The ball was kicked.
13.Match each sentence to the correct voice.
Easy
- The chef cooked the soup.
- The soup was cooked by the chef.
- Active
- Passive
14.Put these steps in the correct order to change the active sentence 'The girl wrote the letter.' into the passive voice.
Medium
- Make 'the letter' the new subject.
- Add the past participle 'written'.
- Add a form of 'to be' that matches the tense.
- Add 'by the girl' at the end (optional).
15.In the passive sentence 'The song was sung by the choir.', who or what does the action of singing?
Easy
- AThe song
- BThe choir
- CThe audience
- DThe music
16.The sentence 'The homework was finished by Tom.' is in the passive voice.
Easy
True or false?
17.Which sentence is the correct passive version of 'The dog chased the cat.'?
Medium
- AThe cat was chased by the dog.
- BThe cat chased the dog.
- CThe dog was chased by the cat.
- DThe cat is chased by the dog.
18.In the sentence 'The broken vase was thrown away.', why is the passive voice used?
Medium
- ATo focus on the vase, not on who threw it away.
- BTo show who threw the vase away.
- CTo make the sentence longer.
- DTo make the sentence more exciting.
19.Match each active sentence to its passive form.
Medium
- The chef cooked the meal.
- The girl wrote the letter.
- The dog bit the postman.
- The meal was cooked by the chef.
- The letter was written by the girl.
- The postman was bitten by the dog.
20.Put the sentences in order from most active to most passive.
Medium
- The cake was eaten.
- The children ate the cake.
- The cake was eaten by the children.
21.Which of the following are reasons why a writer might choose the passive voice? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- ATo focus on the object of the action.
- BTo hide who did the action.
- CTo make the writing more formal.
- DTo make the writing more exciting.
22.Choose the correct active voice version of: 'The ball was thrown by the boy.'
Medium
- AThe ball threw the boy.
- BThe boy threw the ball.
- CThe boy was thrown by the ball.
- DThe ball was throwing the boy.
23.In the sentence 'The window was broken by the storm.', the storm is the doer of the action.
Easy
True or false?
24.Which sentence is the correct passive form of 'The children are painting the fence.'?
Medium
- AThe fence is painted by the children.
- BThe fence was painted by the children.
- CThe fence is being painted by the children.
- DThe fence has been painted by the children.
25.Which sentence is the correct active form of 'The cake was eaten by the children.'?
Medium
- AThe cake ate the children.
- BThe children ate the cake.
- CThe children were eaten by the cake.
- DThe cake was eating the children.
26.Read this sentence: 'Roger Bigod saw the castles.' In this sentence, who is the doer of the action?
Easy
- ARoger Bigod
- Bthe castles
- Cthe saw
- Dno one
27.Read this sentence: 'The castles were seen by Roger Bigod.' In this sentence, who or what is the receiver of the action?
Easy
- Athe castles
- BRoger Bigod
- Cthe seen
- Dno one
28.In the sentence 'The castles were seen by Roger Bigod.', the castles are the doer of the action.
Easy
True or false?
29.Read this sentence: 'The mouse was eaten by the cat.' Which of the following statements are true? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- AThe cat is the doer of the action.
- BThe mouse is the doer of the action.
- CThe mouse is the receiver of the action.
- DThe sentence is in the passive voice.
- EThe sentence is in the active voice.
30.Put these steps in the correct order to change the active sentence 'The cat ate the mouse.' into the passive voice.
Medium
- Move 'the mouse' to the front as the new subject.
- Change the verb to 'was eaten'.
- Add 'by the cat' at the end.
- Remove the original subject if you want to leave out the doer.
31.In the sentence 'The casserole was cooked in the oven by Lucy.', what does the phrase 'by Lucy' tell us?
Medium
- Awho did the action
- Bwhere the action happened
- Cwhen the action happened
- Dwhy the action happened
32.In the sentence 'The casserole cooked in the oven.', the by-phrase 'by Lucy' can be added to make it passive.
Medium
True or false?
33.Read this sentence: 'The casserole was cooked in the oven by Lucy.' Which sentence is the active version of this sentence?
Medium
- ALucy cooked the casserole in the oven.
- BThe casserole cooked in the oven by Lucy.
- CThe oven cooked the casserole by Lucy.
- DLucy was cooked the casserole in the oven.
34.What is the name for the voice of a verb when the subject of the sentence is the doer of the action?
Easy
- Aactive voice
- Bpassive voice
- Cmiddle voice
- Dloud voice
35.What is the name for the voice of a verb when the subject of the sentence has the action done to it?
Easy
- Aactive voice
- Bpassive voice
- Cmiddle voice
- Dquiet voice
36.Which sentence is the correct passive version of 'The cat ate the mouse.'?
Easy
- AThe mouse was ate by the cat.
- BThe mouse was eaten by the cat.
- CThe mouse is eaten by the cat.
- DThe cat was eaten by the mouse.
37.Which sentence is the correct active version of 'The ball was thrown by the boy.'?
Easy
- AThe boy threw the ball.
- BThe boy was thrown the ball.
- CThe ball threw the boy.
- DThe boy throws the ball.
38.Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly?
Medium
- AThe cake was baked by Mary.
- BThe cake baked by Mary.
- CMary was baked the cake.
- DThe cake was bake by Mary.
39.Why might a writer choose the passive voice in a science report?
Medium
- ATo make the writing more personal.
- BTo focus on the action or result, not the doer.
- CTo make the sentences shorter.
- DTo show who did the experiment.
40.Read this sentence: 'The casserole was cooked in the oven by Lucy.' What does the phrase 'by Lucy' tell us?
Hard
- AWho cooked the casserole.
- BWhere the casserole was cooked.
- CWhen the casserole was cooked.
- DWhat was cooked.
41.Complete the sentence:
Easy
To change an active sentence to passive, we use a form of the verb ____ and a past participle.
42.What is the name for the person or thing that does the action in a sentence?
Medium
43.Fill in the blanks to make a passive sentence:
Medium
The cake ____ ____ by Mary.
44.Fill in the blank:
Medium
In the sentence 'The castle was seen by Roger Bigod.', the agent is ____.
45.What is the term for the part of a passive sentence that names the doer, often introduced by 'by'?
Hard
46.Fill in the blanks to complete the passive sentence.
Medium
The mouse ____ ____ by the cat.
47.What is the name for the person or thing that does the action in a sentence? (One word)
Medium
48.Change this sentence to the passive voice: 'The dog chased the cat.' Write only the passive sentence.
Medium
49.Complete the passive sentence with the correct form of the verb 'to be' and the past participle.
Easy
The cake ____ ____ by the baker.
50.Complete this passive sentence with the correct form of 'to be' and the past participle.
Easy
The song ____ ____ by the choir.
51.Explain why the passive voice is often used in scientific writing.
Medium
52.Rewrite the sentence 'The teacher praised the student.' in the passive voice. Then explain what changes you made.
Challenge
53.Explain why a writer might choose the passive voice in a science report. Give one example sentence.
Hard
54.Explain why the passive voice is often used in scientific writing, and give one example sentence.
Medium

복습 노트

## Active and Passive Voice – Quick Revision ### What is Voice? Voice tells us who does the action in a sentence. There are two main voices: **active** and **passive**. ### Active Voice - The **subject** does the action. - Example: **The cat ate the mouse.** - The cat (subject) is doing the eating. ### Passive Voice - The **subject** has the action done to it. - Example: **The mouse was eaten by the cat.** - The mouse (subject) is not doing anything; it is being eaten. ### How to Change Active to Passive 1. The **object** of the active sentence becomes the **subject** of the passive sentence. 2. Add a form of the verb **to be** (is, am, are, was, were, been, being). 3. Use the **past participle** of the main verb (e.g., eaten, seen). 4. The original subject becomes the **agent**, often after **by**. **Formula:** Active: Subject + Verb + Object Passive: Object + be + Past Participle + (by + Subject) Example: - Active: Roger Bigod saw the castles. - Passive: The castles were seen by Roger Bigod. ### The Agent (the doer) - In passive sentences, the doer is called the **agent**. - You can leave out the agent if it is **unknown**, **unimportant**, or **obvious**. - Example: The mouse was eaten. (We don't need to say by the cat.) ### When to Use Passive Voice - In **scientific** and **formal** writing. - In **news reports**. - When the doer is **unknown** or **unimportant**. - To focus on the action or the receiver, not the doer. ### When to Avoid Passive Voice - Overusing it makes writing **vague** and less direct. - Use active voice most of the time for clear, strong sentences. ### Quick Check: Identify the Voice - Ask: Is the subject doing the action? → Active - Ask: Is the subject receiving the action? → Passive **Examples:** - The chef cooked the meal. (Active) - The meal was cooked by the chef. (Passive) - The window was broken. (Passive, agent unknown) Remember: The passive voice uses **be + past participle**.

Active voice: A sentence is in the active voice when the subject does the action. Example: 'The cat ate the mouse.'
Passive voice: A sentence is in the passive voice when the subject has the action done to it. Example: 'The mouse was eaten by the cat.'
Subject: The person or thing that the sentence is about. In active voice, the subject does the action; in passive voice, the subject receives the action.
Object: The person or thing that receives the action in an active sentence. In passive voice, the object becomes the subject.
Agent: The doer of the action in a passive sentence. It is often introduced by 'by' and can be left out if unknown or unimportant.
Past participle: A verb form used with 'be' to make the passive voice. For example, 'eaten', 'seen', 'cooked'.
Auxiliary verb 'to be': A helping verb (am, is, are, was, were, been, being) used with the past participle to form the passive voice.

플래시카드

What is the active voice?

In the active voice, the subject of the sentence does the action. For example, 'The cat ate the mouse.' The cat is doing the eating.

What is the passive voice?

In the passive voice, the subject has the action done to it. For example, 'The mouse was eaten by the cat.' The mouse is not doing the eating; it is being eaten.

In the sentence 'The dog chased the ball,' is the verb active or passive?

Active. The subject 'the dog' is doing the chasing.

In the sentence 'The ball was chased by the dog,' is the verb active or passive?

Passive. The subject 'the ball' is not doing the chasing; it is being chased.

What is the agent in a passive sentence?

The agent is the doer of the action. In 'The mouse was eaten by the cat,' the agent is 'the cat.'

Can you leave out the agent in a passive sentence? Give an example.

Yes. You can say 'The mouse was eaten' without saying 'by the cat.' The agent is often left out when it is unknown or unimportant.

Why might you use the passive voice in a news report?

To focus on what happened rather than who did it, or when the doer is unknown. For example, 'The bank was robbed.'

Why is the passive voice common in science writing?

Because it focuses on the action or result, not the person doing it. For example, 'The mixture was heated.'

What is a problem with using the passive voice too much?

It can make writing vague and less direct. Too many passive sentences can hide who is responsible for actions.

How do you change an active sentence to passive?

Move the object to the subject position, add a form of 'to be,' and use the past participle of the main verb. The original subject becomes the agent, often after 'by.'

Change 'The chef cooked the meal' to passive.

The meal was cooked by the chef.

Change 'The meal was cooked by the chef' to active.

The chef cooked the meal.

What is the past participle of 'eat'?

Eaten. For example, 'was eaten.'

What is the past participle of 'see'?

Seen. For example, 'was seen.'

What is the past participle of 'write'?

Written. For example, 'was written.'

In the sentence 'The window was broken,' is the doer mentioned?

No. The doer is not mentioned. It might be unknown or unimportant.

Is this sentence active or passive? 'The children played in the park.'

Active. The subject 'the children' are doing the playing.

Is this sentence active or passive? 'The homework was finished by Maria.'

Passive. The subject 'the homework' is not doing the finishing; it is being finished.

What does 'voice' mean in grammar?

Voice tells us whether the subject of a sentence does the action (active) or receives the action (passive).

What is the subject in the passive sentence 'The cake was baked by Mom'?

The subject is 'the cake.' It is not doing the baking; it is being baked.

What is the agent in the passive sentence 'The cake was baked by Mom'?

The agent is 'Mom' because she is the doer of the baking.

Why might you use the passive voice when you don't know who did something?

Because you can say what happened without naming the doer. For example, 'My bike was stolen.'

What is the main verb in the passive sentence 'The letter was sent'?

The main verb is 'sent' (past participle). The auxiliary verb is 'was.'

What is the auxiliary verb in the passive sentence 'The letter was sent'?

The auxiliary verb is 'was,' a form of 'to be.'

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