Active vs. passive voice

In each pair, click on the sentence that is in the active, not the passive, voice.

For help with this exercise, see Strong, active verbs.

Example

1 of 10

Question

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◯ Hard lessons are often taught by experience.
◯ Experience teaches hard lessons.
Active vs. passive voice – 1

2 of 10

Question

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◯ At the trial, the prosecutor presented no convincing evidence against the accused psychologist.
◯ At the trial, no convincing evidence was presented against the accused psychologist.
Active vs. passive voice – 2

3 of 10

Question

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◯ The interviewer acknowledged Marta’s participation in the literacy program.
◯ Marta’s participation in the literacy program was acknowledged by the interviewer.
Active vs. passive voice – 3

4 of 10

Question

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◯ Jane was encouraged by her supervisor to apply for the new position.
◯ Jane’s supervisor encouraged her to apply for the new position.
Active vs. passive voice – 4

5 of 10

Question

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◯ As the meeting came to a close, a vote was called for.
◯ As the meeting came to a close, the shareholders called for a vote.
Active vs. passive voice – 5

6 of 10

Question

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◯ Carbon dating is used by scientists to determine the approximate age of an object.
◯ Scientists use carbon dating to determine the approximate age of an object.
Active vs. passive voice – 6

7 of 10

Question

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◯ The party invitations were printed on my new color printer.
◯ I printed the party invitations on my new color printer.
Active vs. passive voice – 7

8 of 10

Question

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◯ Unethical businesses exchange private information about clients over the Internet.
◯ Private information about clients is exchanged over the Internet by unethical businesses.
Active vs. passive voice – 8

9 of 10

Question

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◯ A fine net was hung over the bed to keep mosquitoes from biting the guests.
◯ The chambermaid hung a fine net over the bed to keep mosquitoes from biting the guests.
Active vs. passive voice – 9

10 of 10

Question

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◯ Dean Swanson ordered the new database system without consulting the faculty members who would be using it.
◯ The new computer system was ordered without any consultation with the faculty members who would be using it.
Active vs. passive voice – 10