Active and Passive Voice Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library - Free Printable

Here's the solution to the “Active and Passive Voice” worksheet, with explanations for each sentence.

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Key Concept Recap:

- Active voice: The subject performs the action.
→ *Structure:* Subject + Verb + Object (if any)
→ Example: “Kelly did her homework.” → Kelly (subject) is doing the action.

- Passive voice: The subject receives the action.
→ *Structure:* Subject + “be” verb + past participle + (by + agent)
→ Example: “The sentence was written by Joe.” → The sentence (subject) is receiving the action of being written.

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Answers & Explanations:

1. Kelly did her homework.
→ Active
*Explanation:* Kelly (subject) is performing the action (“did”). No “by” phrase or form of “be” verb needed.

2. The sentence was written by Joe.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* “Was written” = form of “be” + past participle. The sentence (subject) is receiving the action. “By Joe” tells us who did it.

3. The bus was missed by Allen.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* “Was missed” = passive construction. The bus is the thing being missed — it receives the action. Allen is the doer (agent).

4. Jill blew her nose.
→ Active
*Explanation:* Jill (subject) is performing the action (“blew”). Simple active structure.

5. The cat laid on the bed.
→ Active
*Explanation:* “Laid” here is likely meant to be “lay” (past tense of “lie”), which is an intransitive verb — no object, but still active because the cat is performing the action of lying down. Even if “laid” is used incorrectly (should be “lay”), grammatically it’s still active voice — the subject is doing the action.

> 💡 Note: Technically, “laid” is the past tense of “lay” (transitive), which requires an object (e.g., “She laid the book down”). But in informal usage, people often say “laid” for “lay.” Regardless, in this context, since there’s no object and the cat is performing the action, it’s active.

6. The keys were lost by William.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* “Were lost” = form of “be” + past participle. The keys receive the action of being lost. William is the agent.

7. The books were sold by Shannon.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* “Were sold” = passive construction. The books are receiving the action. Shannon is the seller (agent).

8. Henry won the race.
→ Active
*Explanation:* Henry (subject) is performing the action (“won”). Clear active voice.

9. The last donut was eaten by Toby.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* “Was eaten” = passive form. The donut is receiving the action. Toby is the eater (agent).

10. Carol sang the National Anthem.
→ Active
*Explanation:* Carol (subject) is performing the action (“sang”). Active voice.

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✔ Final Answer Key:

1. Active
2. Passive
3. Passive
4. Active
5. Active
6. Passive
7. Passive
8. Active
9. Passive
10. Active

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