EDLE 1204

THE VOICE SYSTEM

Group members:
1. NURUL FATIHAH IZWA BINTI TALIB 2114854
2. NURWARDDAH BINTI ABDUL MANAF 2112042
3. NUR SYAFIQA BINTI LOKMAN 2121388
 THE ACTIVE VOICE
When the subject in the sentence performs an action
 FOR EXAMPLE:
Subject Verb Object Adverbial

Lionesses defend their cubs from predators.

by herself in the
His grandmother collected the harvest
old days.

The free trade three years from

will open the borders
agreement now.
 WHEN DO WE USE
ACTIVE VOICE?
The active voice is the preferred voice in formal and
academic writing. It's seen as more direct and often makes
sentences easier to read and understand.
For most people, the active voice tends to be more naturally
either in casual speech or writing. That being said, there are
specific instances where the active voice is particularly
useful.
 WHEN DO WE USE ACTIVE VOICE?

When we want to focus more on the subject

Farah likes to listen to music

To give sentences a sense of authority

The president made the decision.

 THE PASSIVE
VOICE
Passive voice is when subject is acted upon something else
 THE PASSIVE VOICE
[subject] + [some form of the verb to be] + [past participle of a transitive verb]
+ [optional prepositional phrase]

VOICE SUBJECT VERB Major turn offs: ADVERBIAL

OBJECT

ACTIVE People   speak  English  in London

PASSIVE English  is spoken

in London
 FOR EXAMPLE:
In the ACTIVE VOICE, the subject of the sentence DOES the action:
John painted the house last week.
Subject Verb Object

In the PASSIVE VOICE, the subject of the sentence DOES the action:
The house was painted last week.
Subject Verb
WHEN DO WE USE THE PASSIVE VOICE?
1. We do not know who did the action
Active Voice: Someone stole my bike.
Passive Voice: My bike was stolen.
(We do not know who stole the bike)

2. The receiver of the action is more important

Active Voice: My ancestors farmed this land.
Passive Voice: This land was farmed by my ancestors
WHEN DO WE USE THE PASSIVE VOICE?
3. We want to avoid identifying the actor
Active Voice: We made mistakes
Passive Voice: Mistakes were made

4. When we want to have a firm tone and give a command

Active Voice: We do not allow talking
Passive Voice: Talking is not allowed
 Steps for changing an active into
a passive sentence
1. Remove all material in the
People speak English 
adverbial slot because it is
in London.
not involved in the process

2. Remove the active subject ______speak English.

3. Move the object into subject

English speak
position
 4. Determine the tense
tense of speak = simple (aspect)
(time & aspect) of the active
present time
verb

5. Determine the form(s) of be

simple present of be = am, is or
that have the same tense as the
are
active verb

6. Determine the number (singular,

plural or "I") of the passive English = singular
subject
 7. Choose the form of be that
agrees with the passive subject & English is
place it after that subject

8. Transform the active verb into

the verb to past participle & English is spoken
place it after verb to be

9. Re-attach the adverbial that

English is spoken in London.
was removed at the beginning.
 EXERCISE
Transform the following active sentences with redundant or
consequential subjects into passive sentences with strong
subjects
1. Someone built the bridges in 1945.
2. Somebody produces aluminum from bauxite.
3. Something formed the planet billions of years ago.
4. People grow peanuts in Georgia.
5. The homeowners remodeled the house to help it sell.
 ANSWER KEYS
Transform the following active sentences with redundant or
consequential subjects into passive sentences with strong
subjects
1. The bridges were built in 1945.
2. Aluminium is produced from bauxite.
3. The planet was formed billions of years ago.
4. Peanuts are grown in Georgia.
5. The house was remodeled by the homeowners to help it sell.
 THE TWELVE
TENSES OF BE
What to know and how to determine the right
tenses to change from active to passive and
vice versa

 4 TYPES OF
AUXILIARY BE
THE SIMPLE TENSES
THE CONTINUOUS TENSES
THE PERFECT TENSES
THE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSES

 THE SIMPLE TENSES

Simple Present is / are / am The mural is drawn by Alexa

The monkey was scared by the

Simple Past was / were
vet

The trash will be thrown by the

Simple Future will be
cleaner
 THE CONTINUOUS
TENSES
The chicken is being eaten by the
Present Continuous is / are / am + being
dog.

Past Continuous was / were + being They were being innovative

English will be being spoken in

Future Continuous will be + being
London.
 THE PERFECT
TENSES
Present Perfect has / have+ been The woman has been robbed by him

My phone had been broken since

Past Perfect had + been
yesterday

You will have been waiting for her,

Future Perfect will have + been
aren't you?
 THE PERFECT
CONTINUOUS TENSES
Present Perfect The student have being bored right
has / have + being
Continuous now

Past Perfect The baby had been being crying

had been + being
Continuous since yesterday

Future Perfect will have been + English will have been being
Continuous being spoken in London
 Let’s exercise
your brain!

CHOOSE THE CORRECT FORM OF BE IN THE FOLLOWING

PASSIVE SENTENCES
1.Hundreds of people _______ killed because of storms this year.
2.A lot of coffee _______ grown in South America
3.The solar system ______ formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago
4.My street ______ repaired at the moment. There's dust everywhere
 ANSWER KEYS

ANSWER KEYS
CHOOSE THE CORRECT FORM OF BE IN THE FOLLOWING
PASSIVE SENTENCES
1.Hundreds of people have been killed because of storms this year.
2.A lot of coffee is grown in South America.
3.The solar system was formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago.
4.My street is being repaired at the moment. There's dust
everywhere.
CHOOSING THE
RIGHT VOICE
 How to choose the
correct one?
The most crucial thing is to decide whether the subject in the
sentence:

is performing or carrying out the action [ ACTIVE VOICE ]

is receiving the action or being acted upon
[ PASSIVE VOICE ]
 STEPS TO CHOOSE THE
RIGHT VOICE
1. Identify if the subject is active or passive
The Golden Gate Bridge (build)_____ in 1937 (passive
sentence)
2. If the subject is active, follow the steps from slide 6. If the
subject is passive, the verb will be some form of be + Verb (ed2)
3. Determine the tense (time & aspect) of the verb by:
Time experession
If a reference verb is present (past/future continuous,
perfect, perfect continuous)
If the sentence represents a fact (simple present) or some
other knowledge of the world is implied
 The Golden Gate Bridge = singular

4. Determine the number of the subject (singular/plural/ "I") to

choose the correct form of the auxiliary

Final answer:
The Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1937
 EXERCISE
1.The letters (mail) ___________ yesterday morning
2.By 2020, electric automobiles (require) _________ in all major
cities
3.The ship was attacked while it (load) __________ with hidden
weapons
4.The doctor (examine) _______ hundreds of patients so far
5.Your husband (operate) _________ on at the time you arrive,
so you will have to wait in the lounge until the procedure is finished
 ANSWER KEYS
1.The letters (mail) were mailed yesterday morning
2.By 2020, electric automobiles (require) will be required in all
major cities
3.The ship was attacked while it (load) was being loaded with hidden
weapons
4.The doctor (examine) has examined hundreds of patients so far
5.Your husband (operate) will be being operated on at the time
you arrive, so you will have to wait in the lounge until the
procedure is finished
TRANSITIVITY
AND PASSIVE
VOICE
 TRANSITIVITY

A system for describing the whole clause,

rather than just the verb and its object.

 HOW CAN IT HAPPEN?

When it is difficult to determine whether the subject is
performing the action or receiving the action.

Examples :

1) The accident happened last night.

2) The error occurs in the second paragraph.
3) The party will take place at the Chancellor’s house.
 Transitive vs Intransitive
Transitive Verb Intransitive Verb

Intransitive is one in which the

Transitive is one in which the verb
verb cannot take direct object. It
is followed by direct object to act
can never occur in the passive
upon.
voice.

Eg: I eat the cake. Eg: The cake was eaten.

 Exercise
Identify whether the sentences are transitive or intransitive.

1.She loves animals.

2.The baby was crying.
3. I want to leave early.
4. We need to maintain product quality.
PROBLEM SOLVING WITH THE
VOICE SYSTEM
PROBLEM SOLVING WITH THE VOICE SYSTEM

It is possible to get the following right:

1. correct SUBJECT-VERB/AUX AGREEMENT (singular or plural)

2. correct TIME (past, present, future)
3. correct ASPECT (simple, continuous, perfect, or perfect continuous
4. correct POSSIBLE FORM (the form exists in English but it is not correct here)
5. correct VOICE (active or passive)

These elements also reflect what students are likely to do wrong.

PROBLEM SOLVING WITH THE VOICE SYSTEM

We can address the error in three stages:

1. Bracket the error to focus your attention

2. List what the student got right about the bracketed error and show in
parentheses
3. Compare the original erroneous sentence the correct one and explain what
mistake the student made
 PROBLEM-SOLVING WITH THE SEVEN
MOST COMMONLY USED TENSES
Example: A famous painting took from the museum yesterday.

a) Bracket the error (the verb slot):

A famous painting [took] from the museum yesterday.
b) Show what is right about the verb:
correct aspect (simple)
correct time (past)
correct possible form (took)
 PROBLEM-SOLVING WITH THE SEVEN
MOST COMMONLY USED TENSES
c) Compare the original erroneous sentence the correct one and explain the
mistake
A famous painting [took] from the museum yesterday.
A famous painting was taken from the museum yesterday.

Explanation: Since it is not possible for a painting to take something (active),

the voice must be passive. The simple past passive form of "take" is "was
taken".
 PROBLEM-SOLVING WITH THE SEVEN
MOST COMMONLY USED TENSES

1. Many snakes are lived in dry desert regions.

Many snakes live in dry desert regions.

2. My grandfather has been grown a long white beard this year

My grandfather has grown a long white beard this year
PROBLEM-SOLVING WITH THE TWELVE
TENSES

1. English taught in many countries in the world.

English is taught in many countries in the world.

2. In 1492, Columbus discover America.

In 1492, Columbus discovered America.
 EXERCISES
1. The school cafeteria is renovated right now
2. Your drinks will bring to you in a minute.
3. The larger portrait is painted by a well-known artist.
4. The authorities decided that the meeting hold next
Wednesday.
5. As we speak the suspect is questioned by the police.
 ANSWER KEYS
1. The school cafeteria is being renovated right now
2. Your drinks will be brought to you in a minute.
3. The larger portrait was painted by a well-known artist.
4. The authorities decided that the meeting will be held next
Wednesday
5. As we speak, the suspect is being questioned by the police.
THE ENGLISH VOICE SYSTEM
IN DISCOURSE
Passive sentences with By-Phrases
Passive sentences with by-phrases are used when the
active subject of the passive verb is not a redundant
or inconsequential word.

Examples:
a) The thief was caught by a 10-year-old boy.
b) Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.
when to use passive form and active form
The topic of the sentence determines whether the passive or
active form should be used.

Passive Form ACTIVE FORM

a) The thief was caught by a 10-

A 10-year-old boy caught the thief.
year-old boy,

b) Hamlet was written by

Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.
Shakespeare.
Cont.
The passive construction provides the flexibility to allow either the
subject or the object of an active sentence to be the "topic".

If the active subject is more closely related to the topic, the verb
will be active.

if the active object is more closely related to the topic, the verb
will be passive.
Special Cases of the Passive Voice

get-passive quasi-passive
 get-passive
The auxiliary 'be' in a passive sentence replaced with the word 'get'.

It can only occur with dynamic verbs and implies an emotional

involvement.

My brother was bumped My brother got bumped

from the flight to Dallas from the flight to Dallas
because it had been because it had been
overbooked. overbooked.
 Quasi-passive
Looks like a passive structure because it contains auxiliary be +
VERBed2.

An active form with a passive meaning.

Examples:
1. John was born in England.
2. When I returned to the accident, the policeman was gone.
 The ability to communicate effectively is necessary to carry out thoughts
and visions to people. Therefore, Allah SWT has created man with a basic
function to communicate as stated in the Quran surah Ar-Rahman, verse 4:

٤ ‫َع َّلَم ُه ٱْلَبَي اَن‬

"He has taught him to talk and understand"
 REFERENCES

Master, P. (1996). Systems in English grammar: An introduction for language teachers.

Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Regents

[Solved] a sentence has been given in Active/Passive voice. Out of Th. (n.d.). Testbook. Retrieved from
https://testbook.com/question-answer/a-sentence-has-been-given-in-activepassive-voice-
-5bec6e876ff6fe60d434ebc4

Interactive English. (2020, February 11). YouTube. Retrieved fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=8x4K9INW2Zg&t=900s
Thank you!
Do you have any questions?