Welcome to TOEIC Mastery: Active and Passive Voice
Hello! If you are preparing for the TOEIC, you probably know that Part 5 (Incomplete Sentences) is all about speed and accuracy. One of the most common ways the exam tries to trick you is by making you choose between the Active Voice and the Passive Voice. Understanding this distinction is not just about grammar; it is about earning points quickly so you have more time for the long reading passages in Part 7.
In these notes, we will break down how to identify which voice to use, common "trap" verbs, and the exact steps to follow when you see a voice-related question on your exam. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first—once you see the pattern, you will spot the right answer in seconds!
1. The Basics: Who is Doing What?
In English, "voice" tells us if the subject of the sentence is the doer of the action or the receiver of the action.
Active Voice: The subject performs the action. Use this when the focus is on "Who did it."
Example: The manager approved the budget. (The manager is the "doer").
Passive Voice: The subject receives the action. Use this when the "doer" is unknown, unimportant, or you want to focus on the result.
Example: The budget was approved by the manager. (The budget is the "receiver").
TOEIC Scoring Tip: In Part 5, choosing the wrong voice is a "zero-mark" mistake. The exam often provides both active and passive forms as options (e.g., A. notified, B. was notified). To earn the mark, you must identify if the subject is "acting" or "being acted upon."
2. The "Secret Formula" for Passive Voice
To identify the passive voice in a TOEIC question, look for this structure:
Be Verb (am/is/are/was/were/been/being) + Past Participle (V3)
If the sentence does not have a form of "be" combined with a "V3" (like finished, taken, submitted), it is likely not a passive sentence.
Example Comparison:
Weak (Confusing the forms): The report was submit yesterday. (Incorrect: Missing the 'ed' for V3)
Improved (Correct Passive): The report was submitted yesterday. (Correct: Be + V3)
3. The "Object Trick": Your Faster Way to the Answer
Since you only have about 20-30 seconds per question in Part 5, use this Object Trick to decide between Active and Passive:
Step 1: Look at the blank. Is there a Noun (Object) immediately following it?
Step 2: If there is an object, choose Active Voice.
Step 3: If there is NOT an object (usually followed by a preposition like by, to, in or a period), choose Passive Voice.
Let's practice:
Question: The technician _______ the server this morning.
(A) repaired (Active)
(B) was repaired (Passive)
Analysis: After the blank, we see "the server" (an object). Therefore, we need the Active voice. Option A is correct.
Question: The server _______ by the technician this morning.
(A) repaired
(B) was repaired
Analysis: After the blank, we see "by" (a preposition), not an object. Therefore, we need the Passive voice. Option B is correct.
4. Passive Voice Across Tenses
The TOEIC will test passive voice in different timeframes. You must recognize the "Be + V3" pattern even when the tense changes.
Simple Present: The mail is delivered every day.
Simple Past: The contract was signed yesterday.
Present Perfect: The results have been published online. (Note: been is the "be" verb here).
Future: The office will be closed on Monday.
Common Mistake: Many students see "have" and forget that it needs "been" to be passive.
Incorrect: The files have updated. (This means the files updated themselves!)
Correct: The files have been updated.
5. High-Value TOEIC Vocabulary and Traps
Some verbs are "Passive Favorites" on the exam. You should memorize these common collocations (words that naturally go together):
Common Passive Phrases:
- be scheduled to (e.g., The meeting is scheduled to start at 3 PM).
- be required to (e.g., Employees are required to wear badges).
- be stationed in/at (e.g., The security guard is stationed at the entrance).
- be entitled to (e.g., You are entitled to a refund).
The "No Passive" Trap (Intransitive Verbs):
Did you know? Some verbs never have a passive form. These are actions that don't have an object. The TOEIC loves to offer these as passive options to trick you. Never choose a passive version of these verbs:
- Happen / Occur (Correct: The accident occurred. Incorrect: The accident was occurred.)
- Arrive (Correct: The guests arrived. Incorrect: The guests were arrived.)
- Rise (Correct: Prices rose. Incorrect: Prices were risen.)
- Remain (Correct: He remains the CEO. Incorrect: He is remained the CEO.)
6. Summary and Quick Review
To maximize your score in the Grammar section, keep these points in mind:
Key Takeaways:
- Active Voice = Subject does the work. Usually followed by an Object.
- Passive Voice = Subject receives the work. Formed by Be + V3.
- Look for "By": If you see "by + [person/company]" after the blank, it is a 99% guarantee you need a passive verb.
- Check the Verb: If the verb is happen, occur, or rise, it must be Active.
Final Exam Tip: When you see a verb question in Part 5, ask yourself: "Can the subject actually do this action?" A "report" cannot "write," and "lunch" cannot "serve." If the subject is an inanimate object, look for the Passive option first!
You’ve got this! Practice identifying the "doer" and the "receiver" in every sentence you read today, and you'll be ready for exam day.