Active/ Passive Worksheet

Name:  ____________________________

Using Active Voice vs. Passive Voice in Writing

Rule: When writing, your sentences should be active. That means you should have the subject taking an action.

Passive:  The material was shipped to Japan. 

Active:  The company shipped the material to Japan.

Directions: On your own paper, rewrite the following sentences in active voice. The subject should be performing the action. If there is no doer, add one.

1. The dishes were washed by Jane.

2. During the intermission, our band played several numbers.

3. My paper was read by Miss Jones.

4. The money was found under the floor.

5. My books were returned before class.

Changing Passive Voice to Active Voice

Directions: The verbs in the following sentences are in the passive voice. On your own paper, rewrite each sentence in the active voice. If the sentence doesn’t have a doer, supply one.

Example: The letter was sent earlier. Jeannie sent the letter earlier.

1. The trees were stripped last month.

2. The computers were shipped early in September.

3. The letter was written by my brother.

4. The old car was driven by my brother.

5. The trees were uprooted by the storm.

Changing Active Voice to Passive Voice

Directions: The verbs in the following sentences are in the active voice. On your own paper, rewrite the sentences, changing the verbs to passive voice.

Example: My neighbor alerted the police. The police were alerted by my neighbors.

1. The janitor fixed the classroom door.

2. All the students passed the algebra test.

3. The contractor renovated our kitchen.

4. Jane Beard composed the school song.

5. My father took pictures at the picnic.