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Primary English · Year 5Chapter 6 · Active and passive voice, subject and object
Year 5 · Chapter 6

Active and passive voice, subject and object

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Find the subject and the object in a sentence
  • Turn an active sentence into a passive sentence, and back again
  • Use was, were, is or are with a past participle to make the passive
  • Know when the agent (by ...) can be left out
  • Explain why a writer might choose the passive

You should already know

  • Nouns, verbs and sentences (Year 4, Chapters 6 and 7)
  • Modal and perfect verb forms (Chapter 5 of this book)

Where this leads

  • Brackets, dashes, commas and hyphens (Chapter 7 of this book)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 5. Content: Identify the subject and object of a verb (G5-6), Recognise and write active and passive sentences (G5-5), Identify the agent in a passive sentence, and know when it can be left out, Choose active or passive for effect in writing.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the past participle of break.
2
FWrite the past participle of write.
3
FWrite the verb in Sam kicked the ball.
4
FWrite the noun that names the thing in Sam kicked the ball.
5
FWrite the word that is a naming word for a person in Maya opened the box.
6.1

The subject and the object of a verb

Year 5
Identify the subject and object of a verb (G5-6)
Video lesson: The subject and the object of a verbComing soon
Story. Nia is writing a report about a school play. She writes, The teacher painted the scenery. She asks, who did the painting, and what was painted? The answers tell her the subject and the object.

Key pattern

The subject is the person or thing that does the action: The teacher painted.

The object is the person or thing that has the action done to it: the scenery.

To find the object, ask who? or what? after the verb.

Key ideas

  • The subject does the verb; the object receives the verb.
  • Ask who or what does the verb to find the subject.
  • Ask who or what is affected by the verb to find the object.
  • Not every verb has an object: The dog slept has no object.
Worked example 6.1.1
Find the subject in The dog chased the cat.

Method. Ask who does the chasing.

  1. Find the verb. The verb is chased.
    chased
  2. Ask who or what chased. The dog did the chasing.
    The dog
  3. Write the answer.
    The dog

Check. The dog is the subject. ✓

Worked example 6.1.2
Find the object in The dog chased the cat.

Method. Ask what was chased.

  1. Find the verb. The verb is chased.
    chased
  2. Ask what was chased. The cat was chased.
    the cat
  3. Write the answer.
    the cat

Check. The cat is the object. ✓

Worked example 6.1.3
Does The bird sang. have an object? Write Yes or No.

Method. Ask what the bird sang.

  1. Find the verb. The verb is sang.
    sang
  2. Ask what is affected. Nothing is received; there is no object.
    no object
  3. Write the answer.
    No

Check. No. ✓

Exercise 6A  Practice: subject and object

1
FFind the subject in Ravi carried the bag.
2
FFind the object in Ravi carried the bag.
3
FFind the subject in The children painted the fence.
4
FFind the object in The children painted the fence.
5
FFind the subject in A strong wind bent the tree.
6
FFind the object in A strong wind bent the tree.
7
PSDoes The baby laughed. have an object? Write Yes or No.
8
PSWrite the object in Mum wrote a letter to her sister.
9
PSWhich word is the subject in Every morning, the farmer feeds the hens.?
10
PSFind the object in Every morning, the farmer feeds the hens.
11
RWrite a sentence with a subject and an object, and label each one.
12
RExplain how you know that the cake is the object in Sam baked the cake.
6.2

The active voice

Year 5
Recognise an active sentence, where the subject does the action (G5-5)
Video lesson: The active voiceComing soon
Story. Ali is writing a sports report. He writes, The referee blew the whistle. He wants the reader to know who did the action first. His sentence is in the active voice, because the subject does the verb.

Key pattern

In the active voice, the subject does the action: The referee blew the whistle.

The object is the thing that receives the action: the whistle.

Most sentences are active. The active voice is clear and direct.

Key ideas

  • Active: the subject does the verb.
  • Passive: the subject has the action done to it.
  • Look at who or what does the action to tell which voice a sentence uses.
  • Active sentences often have a clear subject at the front.
Worked example 6.2.1
Is Mia painted the wall. in the active or passive voice?

Method. Look at who does the action.

  1. Find the subject. Mia is the subject.
    Mia
  2. Check the action. Mia does the painting, so the sentence is active.
    active
  3. Write the answer.
    active

Check. Active. ✓

Worked example 6.2.2
Which sentence is active: The cake was eaten or The boy ate the cake?

Method. Find the sentence where the subject does the action.

  1. Check the first. The cake is the subject, but it is eaten: passive.
    passive
  2. Check the second. The boy does the eating: active.
    active
  3. Write the answer.
    The boy ate the cake

Check. The boy ate the cake. ✓

Worked example 6.2.3
Rewrite The cat caught the mouse. so that the subject is still the cat. Write Yes or No: is it still active?

Method. Look at the subject of the verb.

  1. Find the subject. The cat is the subject.
    cat
  2. Check the action. The cat catches, so the sentence is active.
    active
  3. Write the answer.
    Yes

Check. Yes. ✓

Exercise 6B  Practice: active sentences

1
FIs Tom kicked the ball. active or passive?
2
FIs The bus took us to the museum. active or passive?
3
FIs The letter was posted yesterday. active or passive?
4
FIs Ella cooked the soup. active or passive?
5
FIs The window was broken. active or passive?
6
PSWhich of these is active: The vase was broken by the cat or The cat broke the vase?
7
PSRewrite as an active sentence: The park was cleaned by the children.
8
PSRewrite as an active sentence: The song was sung by the choir.
9
PSRewrite as an active sentence: The goal was scored by Sam.
10
RWrite one active sentence about an animal.
11
RExplain why The window was broken is not in the active voice.
6.3

The passive voice: was, were, is or are with the past participle

Year 5
Recognise and write passive sentences with was, were, is or are and a past participle (G5-5)
Video lesson: The passive voice: was, were, is or are with the past participleComing soon
Story. The school council is writing a news sheet about the fence. They write, The fence was painted last week. Nobody says who painted it, because the important news is what happened to the fence.

Key pattern

The passive voice is made with was, were, is or are and the past participle: The fence was painted.

The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.

The subject of the active sentence can be added after by: The fence was painted by the class.

Key ideas

  • Passive = was/were/is/are + past participle.
  • The past participle of paint is painted; of break is broken; of write is written.
  • The agent is the person or thing that does the action, usually after by.
  • You can leave out the agent if it is not known or not important.
Worked example 6.3.1
Write the passive form of The class painted the fence.

Method. Turn the object into the subject and add was and the past participle.

  1. Find the object. The fence is the object.
    the fence
  2. Make the passive. The fence was painted by the class.
    was painted
  3. Write the answer.
    The fence was painted by the class.

Check. The fence was painted by the class. ✓

Worked example 6.3.2
Write the passive form of Sam wrote the letters.

Method. Use were with plural nouns.

  1. Find the object. The letters is the object.
    the letters
  2. Use were and the past participle. The past participle of write is written.
    were written
  3. Write the answer.
    The letters were written by Sam.

Check. The letters were written by Sam. ✓

Worked example 6.3.3
Write the passive form, using is: The teacher closes the door.

Method. Use is with a singular noun.

  1. Find the object. The door is the object.
    the door
  2. Use is and the past participle. The past participle of close is closed.
    is closed
  3. Write the answer.
    The door is closed by the teacher.

Check. The door is closed by the teacher. ✓

Exercise 6C  Practice: making passive sentences

1
FWrite the past participle of take.
2
FWrite the passive of The dog chewed the shoe.
3
FWrite the passive of Ben painted the door.
4
FWrite the passive of The cook baked the bread.
5
FWrite the passive of The children planted the seeds.
6
PSWrite the passive of The farmer feeds the hens.
7
PSWrite the passive of The teacher writes the report.
8
PSWrite the passive, with a past participle: Mum made a cake.
9
PSAli writes The window was broke by the wind. Write the correct passive.
10
RWrite one passive sentence about a school trip.
11
RExplain what happens to the object when a sentence is made passive.
6.4

The agent, and when to leave it out

Year 5
Identify the agent in a passive sentence, and know when it can be left out (G5-5)
Video lesson: The agent, and when to leave it outComing soon
Story. A park warden writes a note: The gate was locked at six o'clock. He does not say who locked it, because he does not know. Later he writes, The gate was locked by Mr Ellis. Now the reader knows who did it.

Key pattern

The agent is the person or thing that does the action in a passive sentence. It usually comes after by.

You can leave out the agent when it is unknown, obvious or not important: The gate was locked at six.

Key ideas

  • In a passive sentence, the agent is after by.
  • Leave out the agent when it is not known or not important.
  • Include the agent when the reader needs to know who did the action.
  • Not every passive sentence has an agent.
Worked example 6.4.1
Identify the agent in The gate was locked by Mr Ellis.

Method. Look for the word after by.

  1. Find by. By shows who did the action.
    by
  2. Name the agent. Mr Ellis locked the gate.
    Mr Ellis
  3. Write the answer.
    Mr Ellis

Check. Mr Ellis. ✓

Worked example 6.4.2
Does The bell was rung at nine. have an agent? Write Yes or No.

Method. Look for a word after by.

  1. Look for by. There is no word after by.
    no by
  2. Decide. The agent has been left out.
    No agent
  3. Write the answer.
    No

Check. No. ✓

Worked example 6.4.3
Write the agent in The post was delivered by the postman.

Method. Look for the word after by.

  1. Find by. By shows the doer.
    by
  2. Name the agent. The postman delivered the post.
    the postman
  3. Write the answer.
    the postman

Check. The postman. ✓

Exercise 6D  Practice: the agent

1
FIdentify the agent in The cake was eaten by the dog.
2
FIdentify the agent in The lights were switched off by the caretaker.
3
FDoes The park was cleaned on Sunday. have an agent? Write Yes or No.
4
FDoes The letters were sent. have an agent? Write Yes or No.
5
FWrite the agent in The painting was donated by the artist.
6
PSWrite the passive without the agent: The windows were cleaned by the staff.
7
PSWrite the passive without the agent: The road was closed by the council.
8
PSExplain why a writer might leave out the agent in The bread was burnt.
9
PSTurn The rain washed the path. into the passive, and say whether the agent is needed.
10
RWrite one passive sentence in which the agent is left out, and say why it is left out.
11
RAli says every passive sentence must have a by phrase. Is he right? Explain.
6.5

Choosing the active or passive for effect

Year 5
Choose active or passive voice in writing, for effect (G5-5)
Video lesson: Choosing the active or passive for effectComing soon
Story. Ruby is writing a news story about a broken fence. She writes two versions: The storm knocked down the fence. and The fence was knocked down. She asks which is better. She thinks the second hides the storm, and the first makes the storm the clear cause.

Key pattern

Use the active when the doer matters or the sentence should be direct: The dog ate the sandwich.

Use the passive when the receiver matters more, or the doer is unknown: The sandwich was eaten.

A news report may use the passive to focus on the event, not the person.

Key ideas

  • Active: the doer comes first and the action is direct.
  • Passive: the receiver comes first, which can make the focus different.
  • A writer chooses the voice to change the focus and the effect.
  • Passive sentences can sound formal or can hide who is to blame.
Worked example 6.5.1
Which sentence puts the focus on the storm: The storm knocked down the fence or The fence was knocked down?

Method. Look at which word comes first.

  1. Check the first word. The storm comes first, so the storm is the focus.
    storm
  2. Decide. The active sentence puts the storm first.
    active
  3. Write the answer.
    The storm knocked down the fence

Check. The storm knocked down the fence. ✓

Worked example 6.5.2
Why might a writer use the passive: The vase was broken?

Method. Think about the focus.

  1. Look at the subject. The vase is the subject.
    vase
  2. Explain the effect. The writer focuses on the vase and does not name who broke it.
    focus
  3. Write the answer.
    the writer does not say who broke it, or the vase matters more

Check. The vase is the focus. ✓

Worked example 6.5.3
Rewrite in the passive to focus on the bridge: The workers repaired the bridge.

Method. Put the bridge first.

  1. Find the object. The bridge is the object.
    the bridge
  2. Make the passive. The bridge was repaired by the workers.
    was repaired
  3. Write the answer.
    The bridge was repaired by the workers.

Check. The bridge was repaired by the workers. ✓

Exercise 6E  Practice: choosing the voice

1
FWhich sentence puts the focus on the dog: The dog chased the ball or The ball was chased by the dog?
2
FWhich sentence hides who did the action: The window was broken or Sam broke the window?
3
FTurn Sam broke the window. into the passive, so the window is the focus.
4
FWhich voice would a writer choose to say who won a race: active or passive?
5
PSTurn The workers mended the road. into the passive, to focus on the road.
6
PSWhich version sounds more formal in a report: The council closed the park or The park was closed?
7
PSRewrite The bird ate the seeds so that the seeds are the focus, using the passive.
8
PSIn which sentence is the doer hidden: The cake was made. or Mia made the cake.?
9
RWrite two sentences about the same event, one active and one passive, and say which one puts the focus on the person.
10
RExplain why a news writer might use the passive when a building is damaged.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Subject and objectThe subject does the verb; the object receives it. Ask who or what.
Active voiceThe subject does the action: The dog chased the ball.
Passive voicewas, were, is or are + past participle: The ball was chased.
AgentThe doer, usually after by: The ball was chased by the dog.
Choosing the voiceActive for a direct doer; passive for focus on the receiver or an unknown doer.

Can you…?

  • I can find the subject and the object in a sentence
  • I can tell whether a sentence is active or passive
  • I can make a passive sentence with was, were, is or are
  • I can find the agent, and know when to leave it out
  • I can choose the active or passive for effect

Key terms

subject
the person or thing that does the action of a verb
object
the person or thing that receives the action of a verb
active voice
a sentence where the subject does the action
passive voice
a sentence where the subject has the action done to it, using was or is with a past participle
agent
the person or thing that does the action in a passive sentence, usually after by
past participle
the form of a verb used in passive sentences, such as broken or written

Exercise 6Z  Check-up

1
Find the subject in The nurse wrapped the bandage.
2
Find the object in The nurse wrapped the bandage.
3
Is The door was opened by the janitor. active or passive?
4
Write the passive of The chef made the soup.
5
Write the passive of The students wrote the poems.
6
Identify the agent in The field was flooded by the river.
7
Write the passive without the agent: The cake was sliced by the baker.
8
Which sentence puts the focus on the fence: The wind blew down the fence or The fence was blown down by the wind?
9
Find the agent in The bridge was repaired by the council.
10
Write one active sentence and one passive sentence about a bike.

Total 18 marks. Allow about 18 minutes.

Exercise 6X  Practice test questions

1
FFind the object in The gardener planted the roses.[1 mark]
2
FIs The shed was built last year. active or passive?[1 mark]
3
FWrite the passive of Ali drew the map.[2 marks]
4
PSWrite the passive of The waiters serve the meals.[2 marks]
5
FIdentify the agent in The mouse was caught by the cat.[1 mark]
6
PSWrite the passive without the agent: The lesson was cancelled by the head teacher.[2 marks]
7
PSTurn The team won the match. into the passive, and say whether the sentence has an agent.[2 marks]
8
FFind the subject in The rain soaked the picnic blankets.[1 mark]
9
RWrite one active sentence and one passive sentence about a school lunch.[3 marks]
10
RExplain why a writer may choose the passive: The window was broken.[3 marks]
← Chapter 5: Modal verbs, possibility and the perfect formChapter 7: Brackets, dashes, commas and hyphens →

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