Passive or Active Verbs? How to tell the difference...
You've probably heard of the terms passive verbs and passive voice , but do you know what they mean? Do you know how they relate to active verbs and the active voice? You'll be relieved to know that you can understand the difference by asking just one simple question: Is the subject performing the action of the verb or receiving the action of the verb? In order to understand this concept, you need to understand subjects and action verbs. Subjects tell us whom or what a sentence is about. Mary sang. Action verbs show action. Mary sang . Note that this discussion doesn't include linking verbs . Why? They are not action verbs. The topic of active and passive only relates to action verbs. Action verbs can be written in two different "voices." These voices tell us whether the subject is performing the action (active voice) or receiving the action (passive voice). Subject performs the action = Active Voice W...