Active Voice

• The subject of the sentence performs the action.

Passive Voice

• The subject of the sentence “receives” the action.

  Harry Potter was written by J.K. Rowling.

• Active Voice

  A dog chased the ball.

  Subject / Verb / Object

• Passive Voice

  The ball was chased by a dog.

  Object / Verb / Subject

| Object - “New” Subject | Verb to Be (in Past in this case) | Past Participle | Complement and/or “old Subject” | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | The ball | was | chased | by a dog |

Harry Potter was written by J.K. Rowling.

👇

J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter.

• I sent that email.
• That email was sent by me.

Time to practice!

1. Switch from Active voice to Passive voice:

   • My sister found my cellphone.

     My cellphone was found by my sister.

   • Someone stole my wallet.

     My wallet was stolen.

2. Switch from Passive voice to Active voice:

   • Titanic was directed by James Cameron.

     James Cameron directed Titanic.

   • The presentation was given by Alisson.

     Alisson gave the presentation.

Activity

Come up with ten ideas in active voice and then switch them into passive voice

1. My dog bit the couch.

   The couch was bitten by my dog.

2. Francis Ford Coppola directed The Godfather Trilogy.

   The Godfather Trilogy was directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

3. John Katzenbach wrote The Analyst.

   The Analyst was written by John Katzenbach.

4. James Clear wrote Atomic Habits.

   Atomic Habits was written by James Clear.

5. Steve Carell starred as Michael Scott.

   Michael Scott was starred by Steve Carell.

6. Todd Philips directed Joker.

   Joker was directed by Todd Philips.

7. Stan Lee created Spider-Man.

   Spider-Man was created by Stan Lee.

8. Jhon Carvajal recorded this course.

   This course was recorded by Jhon Carvajal.

9. Brian De Palma directed Scarface.

   Scarface was directed by Brian De Palma.

10. Martin Scorsese directed Goodfellas.

    Goodfellas was directed by Martin Scorsese.