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Active and Passive Sentences

A sentence is written in active voice when the subject of the sentence performs the action in the sentence.

e.g. The girl was washing the dog.

A sentence is written in passive voice when the subject of the sentence has an action done to it by someone or something else.

e.g. The dog was being washed by the girl.

Task One

Copy out each of these sentences and then write whether it is in active or passive voice. (Hint: In these sentences look for the person who is carrying out the action).
  1. Mark was eating an apple.
  2. The picture was painted by Bob.
  3. Tina opened the present.
  4. The phone was being used by Mr Thomas.
  5. The card was made by Fred.
  6. James hit the tree with his stick.
  7. The man jumped off the step.
  8. Daniel was watching the birds.

Task Two

Copy out each of these sentences and then write whether it is in active or passive voice.
  1. The key was used to open the door.
  2. The crisp packet was thrown away.
  3. James couldn’t see the man.
  4. The boy picked up the coin.
  5. The egg was laid by the bird.
  6. Susan found her car keys.
  7. The policeman chased after Fred. ***Think carefully about this one***
  8. The car was fixed. ***Think carefully about this one***
  9. The pencil had been lost. ***Think carefully about this one***
  10. Mark was given a warning. ***Think carefully about this one***

Task Three

These are all written in passive voice. Change each sentence into active voice.

  1. The football was kicked by Luke.
  2. The knife was left on the table by Julie.
  3. The milk had been knocked over by a cat.
  4. The car had been driven into a wall by a naughty child.
  5. The windows had been washed. ***Think carefully about this one***

    6.

Task Four

These are all written in active voice. Change each sentence into passive voice.
  1. The actors had performed the play by Shakespeare.
  2. A stone smashed the window.
  3. The boys pushed the tree over.
  4. James climbed the ladder.
  5. Sam baked a big cake.

  6. Fred told Johnny a lie. ***Think carefully about this one***

    7.

Extension

Find examples of sentences written in passive voice in your reading book and the books in the class library. Can you change each of the sentences into active voice?