English // Grammar & Punctuation

Active and passive voice

Use the passive voice to shift focus from the agent to the action or recipient, understanding how passive constructions affect the presentation of information in formal and objective writing

Ages
10 to 11
Type
Method
Builds on
2 topics
Leads to
2 topics
Standards
2 codes

Quick check

When the learner wants to write about something without saying who did it — like in a science report — can they switch the sentence round to say "The experiment was carried out" instead of "We carried out the experiment"?

Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.

Topic // Mastery

What mastery looks like

What a learner can do once this topic is secure.
  • Convert active sentences to passive voice and explain the change in emphasis
  • Identify passive constructions in news reports and scientific writing
  • Choose between active and passive voice based on purpose and audience

Topic // Map

Where this fits

What to learn first and what this topic opens up, with the reason for each link. Required links come first.
  • RequiredMust come first
  • HelpfulHelps, but not essential

Before this

2 topics

You are here

Active and passive voice

Ages 10 to 11 // Method

Leads to

2 topics

Topic // Standards

Curriculum standards

Codes for the curriculum statements this topic maps to. Each publisher owns its standard text.
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document
Eng.App2.Y6.Sent.1Eng.UKS2.Write.VGP.1b

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