Active Verb A sentence using the ACTIVE verb

Active Verb A sentence using the ACTIVE verb is one where the subject of the sentence carries out the action described by the verb and the object of the sentence has the action done to it. Subject Verb Object The mouse frightened the cat.

Passive Verb A sentence using the PASSIVE verb is one where the subject of the sentence has the action described done to it. If the object is included in the sentence, it is usually at the end with the word by used before it. object verb subject The cat was frightened by the mouse. Sometimes the agent can be left out completely. The cat was frightened.

Are these sentences active or passive? The elephant stood on the snake. The mouse ran up the clock. ACTIVE Hamlet was written by William Shakespeare. Susan screamed. PASSIVE ACTIVE The mouse was eaten by the cat. Toyota cars are made in Japan. PASSIVE The new monitors will be chosen on Tuesday. PASSIVE

When is the passive verb used? Sentences with passive verbs are more often used in written than in spoken English. It sounds more formal and impersonal and so is often used in: • reports of crimes - He was sentenced to two years in jail. • newspaper reports - The football match was cancelled. • scientific writing – The tripod was moved away from the flame. • announcements - The 13: 15 train to York has been delayed. • notices – Customers are asked not to smoke.

At first, she imagined that the glow above her was from a torch. She shouted and screamed until she was weak from the effort of it. But although no answering call came from the night, the light remained pale and beckoning, wider than that of a torch. With renewed hope Cherry found enough strength to inch her way up the cliff, until she reached the entrance to a narrow cave. It was filled with a flickering yellow light like that of a candle shaken by the wind. She hauled herself up into the mouth of the cave and sat down exhausted, looking back down at the furious sea frothing beneath her. She laughed aloud in triumph. She was safe! She had defied the sea and won! Her one regret was that she had to leave her cowrie shells behind. She would fetch them tomorrow after the tide had gone down again.

Change these active sentences into passive sentences: The sea claimed her once again. The candle lit up the cave wall. She persuaded her mother to come to the beach. Cherry interrupted the two miners. The young miner took Cherry up to the surface.

Change these passive sentences into active sentences: The necklace had been made by Cherry over the course of the holiday. The cold air made Cherry shiver. The cliffs were scoured by the coastguard. The old tin mine was haunted by two ghosts. Cherry was shown the way to the surface.

Now have a go at creating your own active and passive sentences. Challenge – change them around to become the other type of sentence (active or passive)