Lesson 7: Active And Passive Voice Study this example: This hydro-electric dam was built in 1950. Was built is a passive verb. Compare: government built this dam in 1950. (active) The Subject Object This dam was built in 1950. (passive) Source: wikimedia Subject When we use an active verb, we say what the subject does: The government wanted to generate hydro-electric power. It built Koka Dam in 1950. The company is very big. It employs five hundred people. When we use a passive verb, we say what happens to the subject: Aba Samuel Dam is the oldest dam in Ethiopia. It was built in 1940." Five hundred people are employed by the company. 'It was built' and '...are employed'are passive. Compare active and passive: The government built Koka Dam in 1950. (active) Koka Dam was built in 1950 by the government. (passive)