MiniLesson

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Mini-Lesson 1

• Active and Passive Voice

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VOICE

• Definition
• In grammar the form of the verb that shows the
  connection between the subject and the verb. It
  is either active or passive.

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ACTIVE VOICE

• Definition
• A verbs active voice is used to express an
  action performed by its subject.
• The subject is ACTING.

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ACTIVE VOICE

• Example The car hit the tree.
• ExplanationThe subject, car, is ACTING on the
  tree.

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PASSIVE VOICE

• Definition
• A verbs passive voice is used when it expresses
  an action performed upon its subject.
• The subject is ACTED UPON.

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PASSIVE VOICE

• Example The tree was hit by the car.
• ExplanationThe subject, tree, is acted upon BY
  the verb, hit .
• The subject is NOT acting.

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RULES OF THUMB

• Watch for the word BY.
• The word BY after the verb usually indicates
  passive voice.
• If you can add by me to the end of the
  sentence, in general, the verb is in passive
  voice.

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USAGE

• The use of active or passive voice is a matter of
  taste, not of correctness.
• However, passive voice is usually less forceful
  than active voice.
• Also, a long succession of passive voice produces
  an awkward effect.
• Use the passive voice sparingly.

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EXCEPTIONS

• Use passive voice to express an action in which
  the actor is unknown.
• All the tickets had been sold many days ago.
• Use passive voice to express an action in which
  it is desirable not to disclose the actor.
• Poor judgment was used in making this decision.

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REAL WORLD

• WWW

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