SKILL 38
RECOGNIZE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE MEANINGS
When there is no object (with or without by) after a verb, look at
meaning of a sentence to determine if the verb should be active
or passive. Sentences with an incorrect passive verb and no by+
object to tell you that the verb should be passive are the most
difficult passive errors.
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE MEANING
ACTIVE The subject des the action of the verb
PASSIVE The subject receives the action of the verb
To identify if a sentence is incorrect, you must to study the meaning of
the subject and the verb. You might ask yourself if the subject is does
he action of the verb or if the subject receives the action.
EXAMPLES:
We mailed the packages at the post office.
The letter was mailed by us today before noon.