ACTIVE/PASSIVE

Active and Passive Voice

Definition: Active and Passive Voice are different ways of expressing the same action, focusing on different parts of the sentence.
- For further reference, consult Pages $29$ and $32$ of the English Handbook and Study Guide.

Understanding Active and Passive Voice

Active Voice: The subject of the sentence performs the action.
- Formula: Subject $\rightarrow$ Verb $\rightarrow$ Object
- Example: "The man pats the dog." (Subject: man, Verb: pats, Object: dog)
Passive Voice: The object of the active sentence becomes the subject, and the action is done to it.
- Formula for Conversion: Original Subject $\rightarrow$ Verb $\rightarrow$ Original Object $\rightarrow$ Passive Voice: Original Object (becomes new subject) $+$ (to be verb in correct tense) $+$ Past Participle of Verb $+$ by $\rightarrow$ Original Subject (becomes object of preposition 'by')
- Example: "The dog is patted by the man."

Identifying Sentence Components

To convert between active and passive voice, it is essential to identify the Subject, Verb, and Object in the active sentence.

Forms of the Verb "To Be"

The tense of the verb "to be" in the passive voice is determined by the tense of the main verb in the active voice sentence.
Present Tense:
- I: am
- He/She/It: is
- You/We/They: are
Past Tense:
- I: was
- He/She/It: was
- You/We/They: were

Conversion Examples

Active (Present): The man pats the dog.
- (He $\rightarrow$ present $\rightarrow$ it)
Passive (Present): The dog is patted by the man.
Active (Past): The man patted the dog.
Passive (Past): The dog was patted by the man.

Pronouns in Passive Voice

If the subject in the active voice is a pronoun, it is often not necessary to mention it in the passive voice, especially if the agent is obvious or unimportant.
Active: He pats the dog.
Passive: The dog is patted (by him).
Active: He patted the dog.
Passive: The dog was patted (by him).

Continuous Tenses in Passive Voice

For continuous tenses, specific forms of "to be" are used:
- "is being" (Present Continuous Passive)
- "was being" (Past Continuous Passive)
- "were being" (Past Continuous Passive, plural)
Active (Present Continuous): He is patting the dog.
Passive (Present Continuous): The dog is being patted (by him).

Practice Examples (with Solutions)

Original Active Sentences:
- The young man stole the large diamond.
- The girl maintains her innocence.
- The man picked up a jewellery bag.
Converted Passive Sentences:
- The large diamond was stolen by the young man.
- Her innocence is maintained by the girl.
- A jewellery bag was picked up by the man.

Rules to Remember (Subject-Verb Agreement)

These rules ensure correct verb conjugation based on the subject(s).

Two Nouns Forming One Idea:
- When two nouns are joined by "and" but represent a single concept or item, use a singular verb.
- Examples:
  - Every man and woman is concerned.
  - Each and everyone is pleased.
  - Bacon and eggs is my favourite dish. (Here, it's considered one dish).
  - Macaroni and cheese is good too.
- However, if they represent two distinct items, use a plural verb.
- Examples:
  - Bacon and eggs are both sold out. (Two separate items).
  - Cheese and macaroni are both rather fattening.
"Or," "Either…or," "Neither…nor," "Not only…but also," "Not…but":
- In these constructions, the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun nearer to it.
- Examples:
  - Janet or the boys are responsible.
  - Is Janet or the boys responsible?
  - Either Janet or Barry is responsible.
  - Neither Janet nor the boys are responsible.
  - Not only Janet but also Barry is responsible.
  - Not Janet but the boys are responsible.
  - Not the boys but Janet is responsible.
"With," "Together With," "Like," "Including," "As Well As":
- When these phrases are used, the verb agrees with the first noun in the sentence, disregarding the words in the phrase.
- Examples:
  - The boys with Janet are keen to go.
  - Janet, together with the boys is keen to go.
  - Janet, like the boys is keen to go.
  - All the children, including Janet, are keen.
  - Janet as well as the boys is keen.
"A Bunch," "A Pair":
- When referring to items that typically come in pairs or groups, the verb agreement depends on whether the collective noun "a bunch" or "a pair" is used.
- Examples:
  - Grapes are good to eat. (Referring to multiple grapes).
  - A bunch of grapes is good to eat. (Referring to the singular "bunch").
  - Trousers, jeans, shorts, pants, glasses are expensive. (Referring to the items individually).
  - A pair of trousers (or jeans or shorts or pants or glasses) is expensive. (Referring to the singular "pair").
Amount, Distance, Time:
- When referring to a specific quantity, distance, or period as a single unit or concept, use a singular verb.
- Examples:
  - Five kilometres is too far to walk! (One distance).
  - Three kilograms of steak is one quantity.
  - Five Rand is very cheap for a sandwich.
  - Twenty minutes is too long to wait.
"One Of":
- "One of the + plural noun" generally takes a singular verb when referring to a single individual from a group.
- P.S. There is only one tennis player
- Example: One of the boys is a keen tennis player.
- However, if "one of" is followed by a relative pronoun (who, that, which) referring to the plural noun, the verb after the relative pronoun is plural.
- P.S.: Many girls love parties. She is one of them.
- Example: She is one of the girls who love parties.
- P.S.: Many cars were stolen. One of them was recovered.
- Example: They recovered one of the cars that were stolen last year.
A Group of People (Collective Nouns):
- Collective nouns (e.g., class, crowd, team, family, public, government) can take either a singular or a plural verb, depending on whether the group is considered a single unit or its individual members.
- Singular Verb (as a single unit): "The class is organizing a picnic."
- Plural Verb (as separate individuals): "The class are arguing about the food."
Part of a Thing or Things:
- For part of one thing (singular noun): Use a singular verb.
- Example:
  - Half of the ice-cream has been eaten.
  - Three-quarters of the water has been spilt.
  - Some of the food is spoilt.
- For part of many things (plural noun): Use a plural verb.
- Example:
  - Half of the sandwiches have been eaten.
  - Three-quarters of the boys have stayed at home.
  - Some of the children are tired.
One Plus One (Mathematical Expressions):
- Mathematical operations are generally treated as single units, taking a singular verb.
- Examples:
  - Twenty-five plus twenty is forty-five.
  - Three times two hundred makes six hundred.
  - Sixty divided by ten equals (makes/is) six.