The cookies were baked by the teen.
Cookies (subject) were baked (verb).
The garage was cleaned by Dad.
Garage (subject) was cleaned (verb).
The picture of the ocean was painted by Sandy.
Picture (subject) was painted (verb).
The ball was kicked across the yard by the boy.
The ball (subject) was kicked (verb).
Some Helpful Tools
This section will cover how to identify and use active voice and passive voice sentences.
When to Use Active Voice
Lilia sent the letter to Max.
(active voice)
The letter that Max received was from Lilia. (uses more words)
(passive voice)
When to Use Passive Voice
The cookies (subject) were baked by the teen. (passive)
The teen (subject) baked the cookies (object). (active)
Note: Active voice makes sentences more effective and less wordy.
Active voice allows the subject to do the action of the verb in a sentence.
Active Voice
The teen baked the cookies.
The teen (subject) is doing the baking (verb).
Dad cleaned the garage.
Dad (subject) was doing the cleaning (verb).
Sandy painted the picture of an ocean.
Sandy (subject) was doing the painting (verb).
The boy kicked the ball across the yard.
The boy (subject) was doing the kicking (verb).
Passive Voice
Active voice allows the subject to do the action of the verb in a sentence.
Passive voice changes the object of the sentence to the subject.
Cookies is thing that is acting as a subject, but it is not the thing that is doing the baking.
For this reason, the sentence is less effective and is not recommended.
Note: Use passive voice when the person or thing doing the action is unknown.
The cupcakes setting on the counter has been eaten.
The sentence above shows that the person who has eaten the cupcakes is unknown.
Language Arts: Active and Passive Voice - Tutorial
