Voice
The subjects of the active sentences above became the objects of prepositions in the passive sentences.
The objects of the active sentences above became the subjects in the passive sentences. Passive verbs use a form of be and the past participle of an action verb. |
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The active voice is the preferred form for school and business writing since it emphasizes the person or thing performing the action.
However, the passive voice is useful in some circumstances:
When the one receiving the action is more important than the one performing the action:
The governor was killed by sharks just fifteen feet from shore at popular gulf beach resort in southern Florida.
When the one performing the action is unknown:
Sixty-three cars were damaged by vandals overnight at three apartment complexes in eastern Jackson County, Missouri.
When their is a element of surprise:
The tiger at the Kansas City Zoo was scared into shock on Wednesday by a hamster that had wandered into its cage.
However, the passive voice is useful in some circumstances:
When the one receiving the action is more important than the one performing the action:
The governor was killed by sharks just fifteen feet from shore at popular gulf beach resort in southern Florida.
When the one performing the action is unknown:
Sixty-three cars were damaged by vandals overnight at three apartment complexes in eastern Jackson County, Missouri.
When their is a element of surprise:
The tiger at the Kansas City Zoo was scared into shock on Wednesday by a hamster that had wandered into its cage.
Use your Elements of Language textbook: Refer to page 246-247 and 622-623 for more on active and passive voice.
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