This document provides information about the differences between active and passive voice in sentences. It defines active voice as having the subject perform the action, while passive voice has the subject receiving the action. Examples are given of sentences in both voices. The document then discusses how to recognize passive voice by the inclusion of forms of "be" as the main verb and potential "by" phrases. Various tenses are outlined for passive voice sentences. The document concludes by noting passive voice allows focusing on the subject of the sentence rather than who performed the action.

1. active voice
vs
passive voice

2. Active voice
The sentence’s subject performs the action.
The students wrote the exam in the morning.
He opened the window.

3. Passive voice
The sentence’s subject has the action
performed on it.
The Exam was written by the students.
The window was opened by Tom.

4. Active voice
Justin will present the information at the
conference later this month.
Work with a partner and decide on what the
passive form of the sentence is.

5. Passive voice
Justin Marsden will present the information at
the conference later this month.
The information will be presented at the
conference later this month by Justin Marsden.

6. Recognizing the passive voice
You can recognize passive-voice expressions
because the verb phrase will always include a
form of be, such as am, is, was, were, are, or been.
Another way to recognize passive-voice sentences
is that they may include a "by the..." phrase after
the verb; the agent performing the action, if
named, is the object of the preposition in this
phrase.

7. Tense forms
 Simple present
The level test is written at the end of every
month.
 Present progressive
The level test is being written at the end of
this month.
 present perfect
The level test has been written already.

8. Tense forms
 Simple past
The level test was written last month.
 Past progressive
The level test was being written .
 Past perfect
The level test had been written.

9. Tense forms
 Simple future
The level test will be written at the end of
this month.
 be going to
The level test is going to be written at the
end of this month.
 Future perfect
The level test will have been written by this
time next week.

10. Question format
Auxiliary verb + subject + verb…[by ….] rest of
sentence ?
Was the test written by everyone last week?
Has the test been written by everyone?
Will the test be written …..

11. With the passive voice, it’s not always necessary or
important to say who is doing the action. Sometimes
we want to focus our attention on the subject and we
use the “by ….” is used because it tells us important
information.
The information will be presented at the conference
later this month.
The important thing is that the information will be presented.
Maybe we already know who is presenting.
Maybe we don’t care. 
Google was brought online in 1995.
Some tech-nerd brought it online, and I’m too lazy to find out his/her name. I suppose I
could Google it. 
The test will be written on Monday morning.
It’s understood that students will be writing the test.

12. Pair Activity
Write 4 sentences together in the active
voice.
Then re-write the sentences using the
passive voice.
You’ve got 3 minutes. 