Correct Errors in Verb Voice

We were looking everywhere for our cat. Suddenly, she walks out of the garage.

In the sentence above, which word needs to be revised [to have all verbs be in the PAST TENSE]?

• walks

• were looking

• garage

• suddenly

Which of the following sentences is [grammatically] correct?

• We waited for 20 minutes, and then I suggested we leave.

• We wait for 20 minutes, and then I suggested we leave.

• We waited for 20 minutes, and then I suggested we left.

• We waited for 20 minutes, and then I suggest we leave.

When Elena turned on the radio, her favorite song was heard.

What is the [grammatical verb tense] error in the underlined part of the sentence?

• the verb voice shifted from active [voice] to passive [voice].

• the underlined part is a run-on [sentence].

• the verb tense shifted from past [tense] to present [tense].

• the underlined part is a fragment [or incomplete sentence].

Which of the following correctly revises the sentence below?

When Mika shuts off the lights an odd buzz was heard by her.

• When Mika shuts off the lights, an odd buzz is heard by her.

• When Mika shuts off the lights, she heard an odd buzz.

• When Mika shut off the lights, an odd buzz was being heard by her.

• When Mika shut off the lights, she heard an odd buzz.

What is the best revision that uses the literary present tense?

At the end of [the book] Of Mice and Men, Lennie sees an enormous rabbit that chastises [criticizes] him, making him think of George.

• Keep as is. [At the end of Of Mice and Men, Lennie sees an enormous rabbit that chastises him, making him think of George.

• At the end of Of Mice and Men, Lennie saw an enormous rabbit that chastised him, and made him think of George.

• At the end of Of Mice and Men, Lennie saw an enormous rabbit that chastises him, making him think of George.

• At the end of Of Mice and Men, Lennie sees an enormous rabbit that chastises him and made him think of George.

What is the best revision that uses the literary present tense?

At the start of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry finds out he is a wizard. One of his first stops was Diagon Alley, where he visited the wizard bank and purchased items for school.

• At the start of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry finds out he is a wizard. One of his first stops is Diagon Alley, where he visits the wizard bank and purchases items for school.

• Leave as is. [At the start of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry finds out he is a wizard. One of his first stops was Diagon Alley, where he visited the wizard bank and purchased items for school.]

• At the start of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry finds out he is a wizard. One of his first stops was Diagon Alley, where he has visited the wizard bank and purchases items for school.

• At the start of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry found out he was a wizard. One of his first stops was Diagon Alley, where he visited the wizard bank and purchased items for school.

What is the best revision that uses the literary present tense?

In The Hunger Games, when Katniss visited the mayor’s daughter, she received a Mockingjay pin, which she later wore as a symbol of the rebellion against the Capitol.

• Keep as is. [In The Hunger Games, when Katniss visited the mayor’s daughter, she received a Mockingjay pin, which she later wore as a symbol of the rebellion against the Capitol.]

• In The Hunger Games, when Katniss visits the mayor’s daughter, she receives a Mockingjay pin, which she later wears as a symbol of the rebellion against the Capitol.

• In The Hunger Games, when Katniss visits the mayor’s daughter, she received a Mockingjay pin, which she later wore as a symbol of the rebellion against the Capitol.

• In The Hunger Games, when Katniss visited the mayor’s daughter, she receives a Mockingjay pin, which she later wears as a symbol of the rebellion against the Capitol.

What is the best revision that uses the literary present tense?

In the novel, Mrs. Mallory sees her returning son and, in her excitement, twisted her ankle rather badly. Her sister calls the doctor immediately.

• In the novel, Mrs. Mallory sees her returning son and, in her excitement, twists her ankle rather badly. Her sister calls the doctor immediately.

• Keep as is. [In the novel, Mrs. Mallory sees her returning son and, in her excitement, twisted her ankle rather badly. Her sister calls the doctor immediately.]

• In the novel, Mrs. Mallory has seen her returning son and, in her excitement, twists her ankle rather badly. Her sister calls the doctor immediately.

• In the novel, Mrs. Mallory sees her returning son and, in her excitement, twisted her ankle rather badly. Her sister called the doctor immediately.

In which of the following situations is the passive voice used?

• All of these

• When the agent [or subject] of a sentence is unknown (“Each year, thousands of people are diagnosed with cancer.”)

• When trying to create an authoritative [or strict] tone (“Visitors will not be allowed after 9 o’clock.”)

• When trying to tactfully [carefully and purposefully] not name the agent (“The directions were misinterpreted.”)

Teachers often remind students to use the active voice in their writing. Why should [students] usually try to avoid the passive voice in writing?

• Using the passive voice focuses too much attention on the object being acted upon, rather than who is performing the action.

• Using the passive voice can make writing sound strong, as readers can picture the subject [topic] performing the action.

• Using the passive voice is useful for institutions [organizations] where there is no obvious agent [person doing the action].

• Using the passive voice tends to make sentences much more direct.