Final answer:
To change sentences from active to passive voice, you make the object of the active sentence the subject of the passive one, often adding the preposition "by" to introduce the original subject. Active voice emphasizes the subject performing an action, whereas passive voice emphasizes the action itself and its impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
In English grammar, there is a distinction between active voice and passive voice. Active voice occurs when the subject performs the action of the verb, while in the passive voice, the action of the verb is received by the subject. To transform sentences from active to passive voice, the object becomes the subject and is acted upon by the original subject, often introduced with the preposition "by." For example:
- Active: The student wrote the paper. Passive: The paper was written by the student.
- Active: Rainwater flooded the basement. Passive: The basement was flooded by rainwater.
- Active: Jose argued that his house was no place for a dance party. Passive: That his house was no place for a dance party was argued by Jose.
These transformations show that while the meaning remains the same, the focus and structure of the sentence change, emphasizing the action over the subject.