Which sentence should be rewritten to use the active voice? This is a question that often arises in writing, as passive voice can make sentences unclear and difficult to read. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the concept of passive voice, how to identify it, and how to rewrite passive voice sentences into active voice.
We will also discuss the benefits of using active voice and provide practice exercises to help you master this essential writing skill.
Passive voice occurs when the subject of a sentence is acted upon by the verb. This can make sentences unclear and difficult to read, as it is often unclear who is performing the action. For example, the sentence “The ball was hit by the boy” is in passive voice.
The subject of the sentence is “ball,” and it is acted upon by the verb “hit.” To rewrite this sentence in active voice, we would need to make the boy the subject of the sentence and change the verb to “hit.”
The resulting sentence would be “The boy hit the ball.”
Passive Voice and Active Voice
Passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of a sentence receives the action of the verb, while the agent performing the action is either omitted or placed in a prepositional phrase. Active voice, on the other hand, is a grammatical construction in which the subject of a sentence performs the action of the verb.
Identifying Passive Voice Sentences
Passive voice sentences can be identified by the following characteristics:
- The subject of the sentence is preceded by the verb “to be” (is, was, were, has been, have been, had been).
- The verb is in the past participle form.
- The agent performing the action is either omitted or placed in a prepositional phrase.
Examples of Passive Voice Sentences
- The book was written by a famous author.
- The house was built in 1900.
- The car was stolen yesterday.
Rewriting Passive Voice Sentences to Active Voice
To rewrite a passive voice sentence to active voice, follow these steps:
- Identify the subject, verb, and object of the sentence.
- Make the subject the performer of the action.
- Change the verb to the active voice form.
- Omit the “by” phrase or prepositional phrase containing the agent.
Examples of Passive Voice Sentences Rewritten in Active Voice
- A famous author wrote the book.
- Someone built the house in 1900.
- Someone stole the car yesterday.
Benefits of Using Active Voice
Active voice is generally preferred over passive voice for the following reasons:
- Active voice is more concise and direct.
- Active voice is more clear and easier to understand.
- Active voice is more engaging and impactful.
Exceptions to Using Active Voice
There are a few situations where it may be appropriate to use passive voice, such as:
- When the agent performing the action is unknown or unimportant.
- When the focus of the sentence is on the action rather than the agent.
- When the use of passive voice is more polite or respectful.
Practice Exercises, Which sentence should be rewritten to use the active voice
| Passive Voice Sentence | Active Voice Rewrite |
|---|---|
| The report was written by the committee. | The committee wrote the report. |
| The car was parked in the driveway. | Someone parked the car in the driveway. |
| The meeting was canceled due to bad weather. | Bad weather caused the cancellation of the meeting. |
Essential FAQs: Which Sentence Should Be Rewritten To Use The Active Voice
What is passive voice?
Passive voice occurs when the subject of a sentence is acted upon by the verb.
How can I identify passive voice sentences?
Passive voice sentences often contain the verb “to be” followed by a past participle.
How do I rewrite passive voice sentences into active voice?
To rewrite a passive voice sentence into active voice, make the subject of the sentence the doer of the action and change the verb to the active form.
