English Grammar & Punctuationusually ages 12–14

Verb Voice and Mood

Understand and use active and passive voice deliberately, and recognise verb moods (indicative, imperative, subjunctive, conditional) and their effects — choosing the appropriate voice and mood for purpose and audience

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Rewrite an active sentence in the passive voice and explain when the passive is more appropriate
Identify the subjunctive mood in a formal text (e.g., 'If I were...', 'It is essential that he be...')
Explain why a scientific report typically uses passive voice while a personal narrative uses active

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Try this together

When your child writes a formal report or analysis, can they choose between active and passive voice deliberately — for example, using passive voice in a science write-up to sound objective and impersonal?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Active and passive voiceages 10–11KS3 voice and mood extends KS2 passive voice

The subjunctive moodages 10–11Understanding verb mood extends KS2 subjunctive form in formal writing

Verb Voice and Moodthis skill · ages 12–14

Unlocks

Grammar for Effectages 11–14Analysing authorial grammatical choices is enriched by understanding active/passive voice and verb moods as tools authors use deliberately

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

This skill sits beyond Year 6 in the Australian Curriculum, so no F–6 code is matched. It also sits beyond the NSW K–6 syllabuses. It also sits beyond Level 6 in the Victorian Curriculum.

Nearby on the map

Advanced Punctuation for Clarityages 11–14 Grammar for Effectages 11–14 Literary and Language Terminologyages 11–14 Phrases & Clausesages 11–13

All Grammar & Punctuation skills →