Active vs Passive Sentences Worksheet: A Guide

Outline

1. Introduction: What Are Active and Passive Sentences?
2. Why Does It Matter?
3. How to Spot Active and Passive Sentences
4. When to Use Active vs Passive Voice
   • Active to increase clarity and impact
   • Focus, formality, and formal
5. Exercises to Practice Active and Passive Sentences
6. Answers to the Exercises
7. FAQs
8. Conclusion: Keep practicing to Perfect Your Writing

Introduction: What Are Active and Passive Sentences?

You’ve likely heard of phrases that are passive and active, but what exactly do they actually mean?
It’s simple:

• Active sentences contain the subject performing the action.
• Sentences that are passive are those where the action is performed on the subject.

In this post, we’ll explain all you need to know about passive and active phrases worksheets.
We’ll go over examples, the excellent times to use each, and offer an exercise to help you become comfortable with switching between them.
At the end of this course, you’ll know how to deal with passive and active voice as a professional!

Why Does It Matter?

Let’s get real.
Why is it important to know whether the sentence is passive or active?

Here’s the truth:
Active sentences generally help to make your writing more clear and more interesting.
They focus on the person who is doing the work.
Passive sentences can be helpful; however, they are generally more formal and, if excessively used, can make writing seem like it’s a bit drab.

If you’re looking to attract the attention of others (whether it’s your blog, essay, or via email), knowing the difference between passive and active is vital.

How to Spot Active and Passive Sentences

Active Sentences

In the case of an active sentence, the person who is the subject of the sentence takes the action.
Imagine it this way The sentence starts with a person (or thing) doing something.

• Interactive Example: The teacher describes the lesson.
• Structure: Subject + Verb + Object

In this scenario, “the teacher” is the subject, and they’re doing the act of educating.

Passive Sentences

In the case of an active sentence, it is the object that comes first, and then the action is done to it.
The sentence is often longer and less direct.

• A Passive Experiment The lesson is explained by the teacher.
• Structure: Object + Auxiliary Verb (is/was) + Past Participle + (by Subject)

Note how the act (explaining) is performed in “the lesson.” The subject, “teacher,” comes later.

When to Use Active vs Passive Voice

When should you choose to use active, and when is it better to use passive?
Here’s a brief step-by-step guide that will benefit you.

Active for Clarity and Impact

If you wish to make your writing feel clear, fresh, and straight to the point, make use of active voice.
It’s particularly useful for telling stories as well as for instructions and persuasive writing.

• Example The client completed the work on time.
• Why? It’s straightforward and simple. It’s clear who did what.

Passive for Formality and mindfulness

Passive voice sounds excellent when your focus is on the action, not the subject.
It’s also helpful for situations when the subject isn’t well-known or isn’t relevant.

• Example The project was finished on time (by the time she was).
• Why? In this case, the focus is on the result (completing the task) instead of who actually did it.

Use passive voice sparingly. Insufficient passive voice may make your writing seem uninteresting or dull.

Exercises to Practice Active and Passive Sentences

You’re now the next to take over!
We can practice switching between passive and active voice.
Take these tests, and then check your answers during the subsequent section.

Exercise 1. Rewrite the sentences using passive voice.

1. The chef prepared a delectable dinner for the guests.
2. The team took the championship.
3. She wrote a bestseller novel.
4. They took care of the house today.
5. The company has launched a brand new product.

Exercise 2. Rewrite the sentences using active voice.

1. A ball had been kicked up by the participant.
2. It was read out by all students.
3. The cake was made by my grandma.
4. The car was fixed through the repairman.
5. The song was performed in the chorus.

Answers to the Exercises

Exercise 1 Answers (Passive Voice)

1. Delicious food was prepared in the kitchen by our chef.
2. The title took place by the squad.
3. A bestseller novel is written by the author.
4. Cleaning the house took place yesterday by the staff.
5. The company also launched a new service.

Exercise 2 Answers (Active Voice)

1. The ball was kicked by the player.
2. The whole class was reading the book.
3. My grandmother made the cake.
4. The mechanic fixed the car.
5. The choir sang the song.

FAQs

What is the difference between passive and active sentences?

An active phrase involves the subject taking the action, whereas a passive phrase performs the action for the person who is the subject.

Do I have to always stay away from active voices?

Not necessarily!
While active voice is generally more stimulating, passive voice does have its place, particularly in formal writing or when the subject isn’t as crucial as the actions.

Does passive voice cause confusion?

Yes, it is true that passive voice can make sentences difficult to follow since it obscures who is doing the act.
This is the reason only sparingly is accurate.

What makes passive voices sound more formal?

In passive voice, the sentence structure is more indirect and tends to sound formal.
It is often used in technical or academic writing.

Conclusion: Keep practicing to Perfect Your Writing

Once you’ve gotten the knack of active and passive sentences worksheets, it’s about working on it.
Try switching between active and passive writing in your writing routine and notice the difference in the clarity and impact of your writing.

Remember:
Active is a great way to boost the flow of energy.
You can use passive when you want to be focused on the event.

If you’re writing an email, a report, or even a short story, mastering these sentence structures will benefit you in becoming a proficient writer.
Continue to practice for a while, and eventually enough it will become an automatic process!