How to Derive an Active Verb

"To learn" is an active verb.

Language is broken down and pigeonholed by words and phrases. Words are classified as nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, conjunctions and others. Sentence phrases are categorized into clauses, independent and dependent. Finding the verb in the sentence involves discovering the action of the sentence. Once the action is discovered, the verb can be further categorized into active or passive. Determining an active verb means reviewing it and evaluating the relationship between the verb and other words in the sentence.

Instructions

1. Pull the sentence apart, word for word. Use a list to complete this step, or use marks on the paper. For example, use a single line to highlight the nouns and a double line to highlight the verbs.

2. Review the words that have been signified as verbs. Determine if each word is past or present in tense. This step will assist with determining if the verb is active or passive.

3. Read the sentence as a whole to review how the verb interacts with the other words. An active verb will connect a sentence with two subjects; the subject is performing the action while the object is receiving the action. For example, "Joe carries the stick" includes an active verb because the subject, Joe, carries the object, the stick.

4. Disregard the sentence as a non-active verb sentence if the subject does not come before the object. In the sentence, "The hose is sprayed by Sarah," Sarah is the subject while the hose is the object. The verb in this sentence is passive and will not be regarded as an active verb.

References

• English Page: Active/Passive Verb Forms
• Penn State: Using Active Verbs