Question

which sentence is in the active voice? the pact was negotiated by a team of seasoned diplomats. the garden was colonized by a dazzling variety of weeds. our teacher was quoted in a magazine last week. our old toaster always burns the toast on one side.

Answer 1

The sentence that is in active voice is the last option; Our old toaster always burns the toast on one side.

The active voice describes a sentence where the subject carries out the action stated by the verb. The pattern it follows is subject + verb + object.

In a passive voice, the subject is acted upon by the verb. It makes for a murky, roundabout sentence; you can be more straightforward using an active voice.

Answer 2

A sentence that is written in the active voice demonstrates actions that are happening in the present. The first three sentences are written in the past tense, noted by the word "was". The only sentence written in the present tense is the last one. "Our toaster burns..." The word "burns" demonstrates that the toaster is still in action. This is why this sentence is in the active voice.