English·Grammar & Punctuation·procedural
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
Suggested ages 10–11
Learning journey
Your child is learning advanced grammar and punctuation skills — mastering complex sentence structures, sophisticated punctuation like colons and semi-colons, and formal writing techniques that will prepare them for secondary school and beyond.
Evidence of understanding
- 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
Assessment prompt
When Active and passive voice 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"?
Standards alignment
Eng.App2.Y6.Sent.1GB · uk-nc-2013
Passive voice
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2
Eng.UKS2.Write.VGP.1bGB · uk-nc-2013
Use passive verbs
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2