1. Using the Passive Voice
Writing Consultant Presentation
EG 1003: Intro to Engineering and Design
Polytechnic Institute of NYU

2. Using the Passive Voice
∗ Definitions
∗ Changing to the passive voice
∗ Practice examples

3. Active voice vs. passive voice
Active voice takes the form “A does B”
We chose plastic film to cover the microphone.
Passive voice takes the form “B is done (by A)”
Plastic film was chosen (by us) to cover the
microphone.

4. Active voice subjects perform an act
Active voice
We ... chose ... plastic film to cover the microphone.
Subject
Verb
Object

5. Passive voice subjects are acted on
Active voice
We ... chose ... plastic film to cover the microphone.
Subject
Verb
Object
Passive voice
Plastic film … was chosen … to cover the microphone.
Subject
Verb
Object

6. Passive voice differs from 3rd person
Third person, but active voice
The team ... chose ... plastic film to cover the microphone.
Subject
Verb
Object
Passive voice
Plastic film … was chosen … to cover the microphone.
Subject
Verb
Object

7. Using the Passive Voice
∗ Definitions
∗ Changing to the passive voice
∗ Practice examples

8. Combine “to be” + past participle
 “To be” is very irregular:
Present tense
1st person
I am
Past tense
We are
I was
We were
2nd person You are
You are
You were
You were
3rd person
They are He, she, it were
He, she, it is
 Past participles usually add “-ed” or “t”:
presented, measured, built, burnt
 Irregular past participles must be memorized
They were

9. Omit the “agent” of the action
Active
Workers installed burglar alarms.
Passive, with agent
Burglar alarms were installed by the workers.
Passive, with the agent omitted
Burglar alarms were installed.

10. Remember tense and number
Active Voice
Passive voice
I finish a project in
eight hours.
A project is finished in
eight hours.
I finish three projects
in eight hours
Three projects are finished
in eight hours
I finished a project in
eight hours.
A project was finished in
eight hours.
I finished three
Three projects were
projects in eight hours. finished in eight hours.

11. Remember tense and number
Active Voice
Passive voice
I finish a project in
eight hours.
A project is finished in
eight hours.
I finish three projects
in eight hours
Three projects are finished
in eight hours
I finished a project in
eight hours.
A project was finished in
eight hours.
I finished three
Three projects were
projects in eight hours. finished in eight hours.

12. Remember tense and number
Active Voice
Passive voice
I finish a project in
eight hours.
A project is finished in
eight hours.
I finish three projects
in eight hours
Three projects are finished
in eight hours
I finished a project in
eight hours.
A project was finished in
eight hours.
I finished three
Three projects were
projects in eight hours. finished in eight hours.

13. Remember tense and number
Active Voice
Passive voice
I finish a project in
eight hours.
A project is finished in
eight hours.
I finish three projects
in eight hours
Three projects are finished
in eight hours
I finished a project in
eight hours.
A project was finished in
eight hours.
I finished three
Three projects were
projects in eight hours. finished in eight hours.

14. Remember tense and number
Active Voice
Passive voice
I finish a project in
eight hours.
A project is finished in
eight hours.
I finish three projects
in eight hours
Three projects are finished
in eight hours
I finished a project in
eight hours.
A project was finished in
eight hours.
I finished three
Three projects were
projects in eight hours. finished in eight hours.

15. Remember tense and number
Active Voice
Passive voice
I finish a project in
eight hours.
A project is finished in
eight hours.
I finish three projects
in eight hours
Three projects are finished
in eight hours
I finished a project in
eight hours.
A project was finished in
eight hours.
I finished three
Three projects were
projects in eight hours. finished in eight hours.

16. Remember tense and number
Active Voice
Passive voice
I finish a project in
eight hours.
A project is finished in
eight hours.
I finish three projects
in eight hours
Three projects are finished
in eight hours
I finished a project in
eight hours.
A project was finished in
eight hours.
I finished three
Three projects were
projects in eight hours. finished in eight hours.

17. Remember tense and number
Active Voice
Passive voice
I finish a project in
eight hours.
A project is finished in
eight hours.
I finish three projects
in eight hours
Three projects are finished
in eight hours
I finished a project in
eight hours.
A project was finished in
eight hours.
I finished three
Three projects were
projects in eight hours. finished in eight hours.

18. Using the Passive Voice
∗ Definitions
∗ Changing to the passive voice
∗ Practice examples

19. Change to the passive voice
The team used the following materials: a model rocket
requiring some assembly, a tube of “Super Glue®,” a
cartridge of matter, and a tank of antimatter.
The following materials were used: a model rocket
requiring some assembly, a tube of “Super Glue®,” a
cartridge of matter, and a tank of antimatter.
The EG 1003 course also supplied the launch stand, the
barrier, and two atomic clocks.
In addition, equipment was supplied by the EG 1003
course: the launch stand, the barrier, and two atomic
clocks.

20. Change to the passive voice
The team used the following materials: a model rocket
requiring some assembly, a tube of “Super Glue®,” a
cartridge of matter, and a tank of antimatter.
The following materials were used: a model rocket
requiring some assembly, a tube of “Super Glue®,” a
cartridge of matter, and a tank of antimatter.
The EG 1003 course also supplied the launch stand, the
barrier, and two atomic clocks.
In addition, equipment was supplied by the EG 1003
course: the launch stand, the barrier, and two atomic
clocks.

21. Change to the passive voice
The team used the following materials: a model rocket
requiring some assembly, a tube of “Super Glue®,” a
cartridge of matter, and a tank of antimatter.
The following materials were used: a model rocket
requiring some assembly, a tube of “Super Glue®,” a
cartridge of matter, and a tank of antimatter.
The EG 1003 course also supplied the launch stand, the
barrier, and two atomic clocks.
In addition, equipment was supplied by the EG 1003
course: the launch stand, the barrier, and two atomic
clocks.

22. Change to the passive voice
The team used the following materials: a model rocket
requiring some assembly, a tube of “Super Glue®,” a
cartridge of matter, and a tank of antimatter.
The following materials were used: a model rocket
requiring some assembly, a tube of “Super Glue®,” a
cartridge of matter, and a tank of antimatter.
The EG 1003 course also supplied the launch stand, the
barrier, and two atomic clocks.
The launch stand, the barrier, and two atomic clocks were
supplied by the EG 1003 course.

23. Change to the passive voice
First, we obtained the rocket kit from a TA.
First, the rocket kit was obtained from a TA.
I inspected the kit to ensure that all parts were present.
The kit was inspected to ensure that all parts were present.
Miguel attached the four control surfaces (fins) to the
fuselage of the model using Super Glue®.
The four control surfaces (fins) were attached to the fuselage
of the model using Super Glue®.

24. Change to the passive voice
First, we obtained the rocket kit from a TA.
First, the rocket kit was obtained from a TA.
I inspected the kit to ensure that all parts were present.
The kit was inspected to ensure that all parts were present.
Miguel attached the four control surfaces (fins) to the
fuselage of the model using Super Glue®.
The four control surfaces (fins) were attached to the fuselage
of the model using Super Glue®.

25. Change to the passive voice
First, we obtained the rocket kit from a TA.
First, the rocket kit was obtained from a TA.
I inspected the kit to ensure that all parts were present.
The kit was inspected to ensure that all parts were present.
Miguel attached the four control surfaces (fins) to the
fuselage of the model using Super Glue®.
The four control surfaces (fins) were attached to the fuselage
of the model using Super Glue®.

26. Change to the passive voice
First, we obtained the rocket kit from a TA.
First, the rocket kit was obtained from a TA.
I inspected the kit to ensure that all parts were present.
The kit was inspected to ensure that all parts were present.
Miguel attached the four control surfaces (fins) to the
fuselage of the model using Super Glue®.
The four control surfaces (fins) were attached to the fuselage
of the model using Super Glue®.

27. Change to the passive voice
First, we obtained the rocket kit from a TA.
First, the rocket kit was obtained from a TA.
I inspected the kit to ensure that all parts were present.
The kit was inspected to ensure that all parts were present.
Miguel attached the four control surfaces (fins) to the
fuselage of the model using Super Glue®.
The four control surfaces (fins) were attached to the fuselage
of the model using Super Glue®.

28. Change to the passive voice
First, we obtained the rocket kit from a TA.
First, the rocket kit was obtained from a TA.
I inspected the kit to ensure that all parts were present.
The kit was inspected to ensure that all parts were present.
Miguel attached the four control surfaces (fins) to the
fuselage of the model using Super Glue®.
The four control surfaces (fins) were attached to the fuselage
of the model using Super Glue®.

29. Change to the passive voice
We pressed the red power switch, activating the model.
The red power switch was pressed, activating the model.
The team noted the time to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
The time was noted to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
Francisca pushed the yellow button, starting the Level 1
Diagnostic for the positronic control system.
The yellow button was pressed, starting the Level 1 Diagnostic
for the positronic control system.

30. Change to the passive voice
We pressed the red power switch, activating the model.
The red power switch was pressed, activating the model.
The team noted the time to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
The time was noted to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
Francisca pushed the yellow button, starting the Level 1
Diagnostic for the positronic control system.
The yellow button was pressed, starting the Level 1 Diagnostic
for the positronic control system.

31. Change to the passive voice
We pressed the red power switch, activating the model.
The red power switch was pressed, activating the model.
The team noted the time to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
The time was noted to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
Francisca pushed the yellow button, starting the Level 1
Diagnostic for the positronic control system.
The yellow button was pressed, starting the Level 1 Diagnostic
for the positronic control system.

32. Change to the passive voice
We pressed the red power switch, activating the model.
The red power switch was pressed, activating the model.
The team noted the time to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
The time was noted to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
Francisca pushed the yellow button, starting the Level 1
Diagnostic for the positronic control system.
The yellow button was pressed, starting the Level 1 Diagnostic
for the positronic control system.

33. Change to the passive voice
We pressed the red power switch, activating the model.
The red power switch was pressed, activating the model.
The team noted the time to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
The time was noted to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
Francisca pushed the yellow button, starting the
Level 1 Diagnostic for the positronic control system.
The yellow button was pressed, starting the Level 1 Diagnostic
for the positronic control system.

34. Change to the passive voice
We pressed the red power switch, activating the model.
The red power switch was pressed, activating the model.
The team noted the time to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
The time was noted to verify that there would be enough
battery power when the rocket was launched.
Francisca pushed the yellow button, starting the
Level 1 Diagnostic for the positronic control system.
The yellow button was pressed, starting the
Level 1 Diagnostic for the positronic control system.

35. Change to the passive voice
The team took the model out to MetroTech commons.
The model was taken out to MetroTech commons.
I obtained a matter cartridge from the TA.
A matter cartridge was obtained from the TA.
We snapped this cartridge into the model.
This cartridge was snapped into the model.
We mounted the model on the launch stand.
The model was mounted on the launch stand.

36. Change to the passive voice
The team took the model out to MetroTech commons.
The model was taken out to MetroTech commons.
I obtained a matter cartridge from the TA.
A matter cartridge was obtained from the TA.
We snapped this cartridge into the model.
This cartridge was snapped into the model.
We mounted the model on the launch stand.
The model was mounted on the launch stand.

37. Change to the passive voice
The team took the model out to MetroTech commons.
The model was taken out to MetroTech commons.
I obtained a matter cartridge from the TA.
A matter cartridge was obtained from the TA.
We snapped this cartridge into the model.
This cartridge was snapped into the model.
We mounted the model on the launch stand.
The model was mounted on the launch stand.

38. Change to the passive voice
The team took the model out to MetroTech commons.
The model was taken out to MetroTech commons.
I obtained a matter cartridge from the TA.
A matter cartridge was obtained from the TA.
We snapped this cartridge into the model.
This cartridge was snapped into the model.
We mounted the model on the launch stand.
The model was mounted on the launch stand.

39. Change to the passive voice
The team took the model out to MetroTech commons.
The model was taken out to MetroTech commons.
I obtained a matter cartridge from the TA.
A matter cartridge was obtained from the TA.
We snapped this cartridge into the model.
This cartridge was snapped into the model.
We mounted the model on the launch stand.
The model was mounted on the launch stand.

40. Change to the passive voice
The team took the model out to MetroTech commons.
The model was taken out to MetroTech commons.
I obtained a matter cartridge from the TA.
A matter cartridge was obtained from the TA.
We snapped this cartridge into the model.
This cartridge was snapped into the model.
We mounted the model on the launch stand.
The model was mounted on the launch stand.

41. Change to the passive voice
The team took the model out to MetroTech commons.
The model was taken out to MetroTech commons.
I obtained a matter cartridge from the TA.
A matter cartridge was obtained from the TA.
We snapped this cartridge into the model.
This cartridge was snapped into the model.
We mounted the model on the launch stand.
The model was mounted on the launch stand.

42. Change to the passive voice
The team took the model out to MetroTech commons.
The model was taken out to MetroTech commons.
I obtained a matter cartridge from the TA.
A matter cartridge was obtained from the TA.
We snapped this cartridge into the model.
This cartridge was snapped into the model.
We mounted the model on the launch stand.
The model was mounted on the launch stand.

43. Change to the passive voice
We then used the Antimatter Containment Vessel to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
The Antimatter Containment Vessel was then used to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
Albert put the stopper into the hole in the tank.
The stopper was put into the hole in the tank.
When everything was in place, we launched the rocket.
When everything was in place, the rocket was launched.

44. Change to the passive voice
We then used the Antimatter Containment Vessel to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
The Antimatter Containment Vessel was then used to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
Albert put the stopper into the hole in the tank.
The stopper was put into the hole in the tank.
When everything was in place, we launched the rocket.
When everything was in place, the rocket was launched.

45. Change to the passive voice
We then used the Antimatter Containment Vessel to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
The Antimatter Containment Vessel was then used to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
Albert put the stopper into the hole in the tank.
The stopper was put into the hole in the tank.
When everything was in place, we launched the rocket.
When everything was in place, the rocket was launched.

46. Change to the passive voice
We then used the Antimatter Containment Vessel to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
The Antimatter Containment Vessel was then used to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
Albert put the stopper into the hole in the tank.
The stopper was put into the hole in the tank.
When everything was in place, we launched the rocket.
When everything was in place, the rocket was launched.

47. Change to the passive voice
We then used the Antimatter Containment Vessel to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
The Antimatter Containment Vessel was then used to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
Albert put the stopper into the hole in the tank.
The stopper was put into the hole in the tank.
When everything was in place, we launched the rocket.
When everything was in place, the rocket was la
unched

48. Change to the passive voice
We then used the Antimatter Containment Vessel to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
The Antimatter Containment Vessel was then used to pour
antimatter into the tank in the model.
Albert put the stopper into the hole in the tank.
The stopper was put into the hole in the tank.
When everything was in place, we launched the rocket.
When everything was in place, the rocket was launched.

49. Change to the passive voice
Lucy noted the time of arrival for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
The time of arrival was noted for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
We used the atomic clocks to verify that the rocket had
arrived before the light.
The atomic clocks were used to verify that the rocket had
arrived before the light.
The team also noted the effects of the impact.
The effects of the impact were also noted.

50. Change to the passive voice
Lucy noted the time of arrival for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
The time of arrival was noted for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
We used the atomic clocks to verify that the rocket had
arrived before the light.
The atomic clocks were used to verify that the rocket had
arrived before the light.
The team also noted the effects of the impact.
The effects of the impact were also noted.

51. Change to the passive voice
Lucy noted the time of arrival for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
The time of arrival was noted for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
We used the atomic clocks to verify that the rocket had
arrived before the light.
The atomic clocks were used to verify that the rocket had
arrived before the light.
The team also noted the effects of the impact.
The effects of the impact were also noted.

52. Change to the passive voice
Lucy noted the time of arrival for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
The time of arrival was noted for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
We used the atomic clocks to verify that the rocket had
arrived before the light.
The atomic clocks were used to verify that the
rocket had arrived before the light.
The team also noted the effects of the impact.
The effects of the impact were also noted.

53. Change to the passive voice
Lucy noted the time of arrival for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
The time of arrival was noted for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
We used the atomic clocks to verify that the rocket had
arrived before the light.
The atomic clocks were used to verify that the
rocket had arrived before the light.
The team also noted the effects of the impact.
The effects of the impact were also noted.

54. Change to the passive voice
Lucy noted the time of arrival for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
The time of arrival was noted for the rocket and the strobe
light flash.
We used the atomic clocks to verify that the rocket had
arrived before the light.
The atomic clocks were used to verify that the
rocket had arrived before the light.
The team also noted the effects of the impact.
The effects of the impact were also noted.

55. Using the Passive Voice
∗ Definitions
∗ Changing to the passive voice
∗ Practice examples