ACTIVE VOICE

• The subject performs the action!
• No to be verbs: is, are, were, was, has
• Mortimer scanned the headlines!

Passive Voice

• Subject does not act but is acted upon
• The headlines were scanned by Mortimer.
• Uses: is, are, was, were, has, etc.

The beanpole was climbed by Jack.

The ball was hit right out of the park.

A lesson was learned by the contrite child.

Val has done a great deal of thinking.

The bluebird built its nest from small twigs.

Shakespeare wrote many sonnets addressed to a mysterious "dark lady".

Now, which one is better?