Practice Activities: Active and Passive Voice

Passive to Active

Convert these passive voice sentences into the active voice:

  1. Alana’s toes were crushed by the garage door.
  2. The passive voice has likely been heard of by you.
  3. Rebeca’s favorite spot in the lecture hall had been taken by the time she got to class.
  4. When the passive voice is overused, you often end up with flat writing.

Active or Passive

Read the following sentences. Are they using the passive effectively? Or should they be rewritten as active sentences?

  1. Maren was hit by several branches as she slid down the hill.
  2. A lot of discussion about whether technology is hurting or helping our ability to communicate has been inspired by this increase in technology.
  3. Listeners are encouraged by the lyrics to cast aside their fear and be themselves.