Syntax Mechanics Worksheet
Syntax Lab • Part 1
Mastering Voice: Active & Passive
Grade 10 English Language Arts • Sentence Control & Direct Writing
Name:
Date: Period:
Active Voice (Direct)
Subject performs the action.
[Doer] → [Verb] → [Receiver]
“The detective solved the case.”
Passive Voice (Receiver First)
Subject receives the action (be + participle).
[Receiver] → [be + Participle] (+ by [Doer])
“The case was solved (by zombies).”
The Zombie Rule: If you can naturally add “by zombies” right after the verb, the sentence is in passive voice!
1
Voice Identification
Underline the verb phrase. Then write A (Active) or P (Passive) in the box.
1. The principal announced the revised bell schedule during third period.
Voice:
2. Three critical security vulnerabilities were discovered by the team.
Voice:
3. Heavy winter blizzards delayed dozens of morning flights across the region.
Voice:
4. Ancient parchment scrolls were preserved in a temperature-controlled vault.
Voice:
2
Voice Transformations
Rewrite each sentence in the opposite voice. Maintain tense and meaning.
A. Active → Passive: The city council unanimously approved the new downtown park project.
B. Passive → Active: The annual science symposium awards were presented by Dr. Patel.
3
Rhetorical Decision: Writing with Clarity
Passive voice often obscures who is responsible. Revise this bureaucratic sentence into direct, accountable active voice:
“Due to unexpected budget constraints, the cancellation of late bus routes was authorized by the district superintendent.”
SYNTAX MECHANICS • 10TH GRADE ELA SIDE 1: VOICE • TURN OVER FOR RELATIVE CLAUSES
Syntax Lab • Part 2
Relative Clauses: Precision & Punctuation
Grade 10 English Language Arts • Complex Sentence Construction
Side 2 of 2
Essential (Restrictive) Clause
Identifies specific noun. No commas!
Use that for things; who for people.
“The essay that won first prize was published.”
Non-Essential (Extra Detail)
Bonus information. Use commas!
Use which for things; who/whom for people.
“My laptop, which is new, runs smoothly.”
Pronoun Cheat Sheet: who (subject/person) • whom (object/person) • whose (possession) • which (extra info) • that (essential)
1
Pronoun Selection & Comma Placement
Fill in the blank with the correct relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that). Add commas only if the clause is non-essential.
1. The student won the regional debate championship received a merit scholarship.
Clause type: Essential (identifies which student) • Commas needed: 0
2. Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano near Seattle is covered in glacial ice.
Clause type: Non-Essential (named subject) • Commas needed: 2
3. Maya Angelou poems inspired millions read at the presidential inauguration.
Clause type: Non-Essential (possession) • Commas needed: 2
2
Sentence Combining with Relative Clauses
Combine each pair of simple sentences into one smooth sentence using a relative clause. Punctuate commas correctly!
Pair A: The James Webb Space Telescope orbits one million miles from Earth. It captures images of early galaxies.
Pair B: Athletes must submit signed medical waivers before tryouts. These athletes want to join track.
3
Syntactic Craft: Your Turn
Write an original sentence about a person, place, or historical event using a non-essential relative clause with proper comma punctuation.
SYNTAX MECHANICS • 10TH GRADE ELA SIDE 2: RELATIVE CLAUSES • COMPLETE
