Get the File
Passive and Active Voice Cheat Sheet
Form |
Structure |
When to Use |
Example |
Active |
subject + verb + object |
To place emphasis on the subject or the action it took |
The dog ate my homework. |
Passive |
subject + verb + agent |
To place emphasis on the object of the sentence |
My homework was eaten by the dog. |
Examples
1. The Cardinals beat the Ravens. (Active. It places the emphasis on the Cardinals, who won the game.)
2. Our team was defeated by the Braves. (Passive. The emphasis is on the losing team.)
3. The fragile vase was broken by her grandson. (Passive. The focus is on the vase that was the object of the accident.)
4. My neighbor knocked over our mailbox. (Active. The neighbor and what he did are the highlight of this sentence.)
