Active vs Passive Voice Examples: A Complete Classroom Lesson
Some grammar rules feel like they belong in a dusty museum. But active vs. passive voice is not one of them—it’s a powerhouse tool for clarity, confidence, and strong writing. Today’s lesson helps students understand the difference between who is acting and who is being acted upon, and why that distinction matters for effective communication. This lesson is practical, student-friendly, and designed to help them immediately improve their writing.
📘 Grammar Notes: Active vs. Passive Voice
Active Voice
The subject does the action.
Formula: Subject + Verb + Object
Example: The dog chased the ball.
Passive Voice
The subject receives the action.
Formula: Object + Form of “to be” + Past Participle (+ by Subject)
Example: The ball was chased by the dog.
Why Writers Use Active Voice
Clearer and more direct
Stronger and more engaging
Emphasizes who is doing the action
When Passive Voice Can Be Useful
When the doer of the action is unknown
When the doer doesn’t matter
When the writer wants to focus on the result
When writing scientific or formal texts
Quick Test: How to Identify Voice
Find the main verb.
Ask: Who is doing this action?
If the doer is unclear, at the end of the sentence, or missing → passive.
If the subject is clearly performing the action → active.
🤝 Practice Together
Underline the verb(s) and determine whether each sentence is active or passive.
The cookies were baked by my grandmother.
The team won the championship yesterday.
The movie was filmed in New Zealand.
The students completed their assignments early.
The announcement was made this morning.
🔍 Answer Key (Practice Together)
Passive
Active
Passive
Active
Passive
✏️ Student Worksheet/Quiz
Understanding the difference between active and passive voice gives students real power in their writing. They learn not only how to make sentences clearer and stronger, but also how to shift emphasis when needed—an essential skill for both academic and creative work. This lesson builds foundational grammar knowledge in a way that’s accessible, engaging, and immediately useful.
