Active and Passive Voices
Active Voice
The subject of the sentence performs the action
Passive Voice
The subject of the sentence receives the action.
Passive Voice
These complicated directions should probably be accompanied by illustrations.
Passive Voice
Antibiotics should not be prescribed for the treatment of viral infections.
Passive Voice
Because of its vague resemblance to a bowl of popcorn, one area of Mount Everest is known as the Popcorn Field.
Active Voice
By now the new operating system should have finished downloading to my computer.
Passive Voice
Criminal defendants must be tried by a jury of their peers, or fellow citizens.
Passive Voice
Dairy products were consumed by North Africans as early as seven thousand years ago.
Active Voice
Dr. Fontaine is translating the manuscript from French to English.
Active Voice
During spring break, the Lees are visiting a handful of colleges in the Boston area.
Active Voice
Iguaçu Falls extends almost two miles—nearly three times the width of Niagara Falls.
Passive Voice
J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books have been translated into more than sixty-five languages.
Active Voice
NASA has identified a potentially dangerous asteroid.
Active Voice
Scientists at the Large Hadron Collider, an experimental physics facility, are studying the basic properties of the universe.
Passive Voice
To reduce infections, surgical instruments must be sterilized before use.
Active Voice
Without adequate water, the transplanted lilies will wilt.
