Year 6 · English · Passive voice · Lesson 2
Using the passive in writing
When and why to use the passive voice in writing - unknown doers, formal tone, science and news reports - and when the active is better.
14-minute video lesson
Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.
Watch free for a monthWhat your child will learn
- Explain when to use the passive
- Use the passive in a report
- Leave out the doer
- Choose active or passive for effect
The method
- Doer important? Active.
- Doer unknown? Passive.
- Formal? Passive.
- Story? Active.
Key words: passive, active, formal, report, tone.
Worked examples
The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.
Question 1
Why do science reports use the passive?
- Step 1: Formal
Answer: to sound formal and focus on the process
Question 2
Rewrite in the passive: ‘We measured the plant every day.’
- Step 1: Plant first
Answer: The plant was measured every day.
Question 3
Rewrite in the passive: ‘We recorded the results.’
- Step 1: Results first
Answer: The results were recorded.