The writer sent the letter through the mail.

1
Appendix A.1 Active Sentences

• The writer sent the letter through the mail.
• Sentence Subject, verb, complete thought

2
Active Sentence

• The writer sent the letter through the mail.
• Subjectwriter
• Actor in sentence
• Performs action of verb

3
Passive Sentence

• The letter was sent by the writer through the
  mail.
• SubjectLetter
• Acted upon in the sentence
• Receives the action of the verb

4
Another Example

• The company sold stock.
• Stock was sold by the company.

5

• Which is clearer and more concise, active or
  passive voice?
• Active
• Fewer words
• Places right information in subject position for
  emphasis

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Exceptions

• Ken Park decided that we should go on strike.
• A decision was made to go on strike.
• Farmers grew this corn in Illinois.
• This corn was grown in Illinois.