11/09/2012

Active voice VS Passive voice

Dear xamoyela.blogspot,

Could you please tell me the grammatical definition of the active and passive voice? I know the difference, but how do you explain each of them?

Thanks,
Steve


Hi Steve!

I'm happy you know both voices and that you use them correctly.
Here are the grammatical terms of each:



Active Voice:  one of two voices in English; a direct form of expression where the subject performs the verb. E.g. “Many children play video games”.

Passive Voice: one of two voices in English; an indirect form of expression in which the subject receives the action. Eg. “Video games are played by many children”.


I hope this is what you were looking for!
If you need any further assistance, please contact me :)

A @ xamoyela

 

04/09/2012

SAY what?

Dear xamoyela.blogspot,

What's the difference between 'say' and 'tell'? Apart from various fixed phrases like 'to tell a lie' are there any other important differences?

Thanks!
Anna


Hi Anna!

Yes, you are absolutely right that there are certain phrases that use 'say' and 'tell', but there is a very important difference in the way we use the two of them.

A simple way to remember the difference in their use is:

Remember -->    You say something
                      but
                You tell SOMEONE something

for example:

Fred said he was tired   -   Fred told Jenny that he was tired.
Antony says you got a new job!   -   Antony tells me that you got a new job!

Now this doesn't mean that when using 'say' we can't mention to whom we are speaking to. All you have to remember is to put 'to' before the person.

for example:

Fred said to Jenny that he was tired.
Antony said to me that you got a new job.

BUT this form is usually used with reported speech. Never will you see something like 'Dad says to mom to go to the garden', it would either be 'said to' or 'told'.
ALSO you would never see something like:
I'm saying to you that you're wrong!
          it should be
I'm telling you that you're wrong! 

So it is true that you must be careful when using 'say'. 'Tell' is easier since it is ALWAYS followed by a person.

I will post about the differences between say and tell again in the future, but for now I hope this helps!

All the best,
A@xamoYELA :)