English Blues...Help

Question

Can you tell me if my answers are correct.

Part I Active and Passive

1. This marerial has been tested by our engineers, and they like it.

a. Both clauses are in active voice.

b. Both clauses are in passive voice.

c. The first clause is active; the second clause is passive.

d. The first clause is passive; the second clause is active.

I chose "c" the first clause is active; the second clause is passive.

2. Your machine has been repaired, and it will be returned to you today.

a. Both clauses are in active voice.

b. Both clauses are in passive voice.

c. The first clause is active; the second clause is passive.

d. The first clause is passive; the second clause is active.

I chose "B" Both clauses are in passive voice.

Part II parallel parts

Which one of the following sentences contains parallel parts?

a. In the business world, you must write clearly and with conciseness.

b. I would rather drive a car than ride a bike to work.

c. Joan is a member of the internal audit committee, a team leader, and plays on the company sofball team.

d. The seminar speaker's talk was motivating and challenged.

I chose "C"

Part III comma splice

Which one of the following sentences has a comma splice?

a. While the lawyer prepared the case, her assistant checked the report she found no mistakes.

b. Because all the members were early, the meeting got underway ahead of schedule.

c. Dr. Matheson, speaking as head of the hospital's medical council.

d. The secretary handed the report to the supervisor, he read it.

I chose "C"

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

I'm not great at parallel structures and comma splices, but I'll help you on Active/Passive.

Your task can be done if you have only three skills:

You have to be able to find the verb phrase.
You have to be able to recognize a PP (past participle).
You have to be able to recognize a form of the verb "TO BE".

If you can do all three things, you will always be able to tell if the clause is active or passive!

Suppose that you can find the verb phrases and that you can recognize a PP. If not, you'll need to brush up on those skills as well!

Let's say you also know the forms of "TO BE", but here's a reminder:
The forms of TO BE are: be, being, been, am, is, are, was, were.

Now we put it all together.

If the last two words of the verb phrase are a form of "TO BE" followed by a PP, the clause is passive. Otherwise, it is active.

First example:
Clause 1: "has been tested"

Last two words? "been" "tested".
"been" -- a form of BE? yes.
"tested" -- a PP? yes. ---- Passive

Clause 2. "like"

Last two words? What??? There's only ONE. ---- Active.

Second example: Clause 1: "has been returned"
Last two words? "been" "returned"
"been" -- a form of BE? yes.
"returned" -- a PP? yes -------- Passive

Clause 2: "will be returned"
Last two words? "be" "returned"
"be" -- a form of BE? (Duh!) yes.
"returned" -- a PP? yes -------- Passive

Need2Know · Answer

Ok I get the active and passive voice now.
Thanks for that info.

I was still wondering about this last question.

Which one of the following sentences has a comma splice?

a. While the lawyer prepared the case, her assistant checked the report she found no mistakes.

b. Because all the members were early, the meeting got underway ahead of schedule.

c. Dr. Matheson, speaking as head of the hospital's medical council.

d. The secretary handed the report to the supervisor, he read it.

I chose "C"

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