Grammar Lesson Nine

Grammar Skill Nine: The Passive Voice

In English, verbs have either an active "voice" or a passive "voice." Most of the time we write and speak using active voice constructions.

Active: Dante visited the dark, disgusting and vast circle of Malebolge.

Sometimes, however, a writer may wish to emphasize the object part of the sentence rather than the subject. The passive voice is really a "switched around" sentence in which the object becomes the subject. Confused? Don't despair! Just look at the example below of a passive construction:

Passive: The dark, disgusting and vast circle of Malebolge was visited by Dante.

In this sentence the focus is on the horrifying characteristics of Malebolge rather than on Dante.

If that is what you wish to emphasize, then a passive construction is fine. In most cases, however, the active voice is preferable to the passive.

Change the following sentences to use the active voice rather than the passive.

1. The achievements of Dante were acclaimed even while he was alive.

2. In Circle Two, the judging of sinners was performed by Minos.

3. Transportation problems were solved when Charon ferried sinners across the waters.

Answers!

1. Dante's achievements were acclaimed even while he was alive.

2. In Circle Two, Minos judged the sinners.

3. Charon solved the transportation problems of the sinners and ferried them across the waters.

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