The document discusses passive voice and how to identify it using a "by zombies" test. Passive voice structures use a form of "to be" plus the past participle of the main verb, and express who or what was acted upon rather than who or what took the action. To determine if a sentence is passive, add "by zombies" - if it sounds correct, the sentence is passive voice. The active voice instead makes the subject the person or thing performing the action.

1. Passive Voice
AND ZOMBIES

2. The Formula
To Be
Verb
Past
Participle
(verb form
often
ending in
–en or –
ed)
“By
Zombies”
Passive
Voice!

3. “To Be” Verbs
Am Is Are
Was Were Be
Being Been

4. Verbs that are SOMETIMES
“to be” verbs
(which is why you need the “by zombies” test)
Have Has Had Do
Doing Does Shall Should
Will Would May Might
Must Can Could

5. Passive Vs. Active
Passive Voice = She was chased [by zombies].
Active Voice = Zombies chased [by zombies]
her.
Take the
Object
Turn it into
the
Subject!