A C T I V E A N D PA S S I V E V O I C E

V O I C E O F T H E V E R B I N D I C AT E S W H E T H E R S U B J E C T
IS THE‘DOER’ OR ‘RECEIVER’ OF ACTION.

1) JACK PLANTED A TREE.

2 ) A T R E E WA S P L A N T E D B Y J A C K .

SENTENCE 1 - SUBJECT (JACK) IS DOER OF ACTION.

- VERB (PLANTED) IS IN ACTIVE VOICE.
SENTENCE 2 - SUBJECT (THE TREE) IS RECEIVER OF
ACTION.
- V E R B ( WA S P L A N T E D ) I S I N PA S S I V E
ACTIVE VOICE

These examples show that the subject is doing the verb's action.

 The dog jumped onto the boy.

 Kristy will give a book report to the class.

 The computer ate my paper.

 The girls are singing a song.

 They have completed their assignment.

PASSIVE VOICE
These examples show the subject being acted upon by the verb.

- The boy was jumped onto by the dog.

- A book report will be given by Kristy to the class.

- My paper was eaten by the computer.

- A song is being sung by the girls.

- Their assignment has been completed byn them.

Most writers prefer to use active voice because it is
more direct.

The active voice is less awkward and clearly states

relationship between subject and action.

Compare

Active: The waiter dropped the tray of food.

Passive: The tray of food was dropped by the waiter.
 USE OF PASSIVE VOICE

To eliminate the mention of agent.

The ship was wrecked. (by something)
Ravi was found stealing. ( by somebody)

To give emphasis to the recipient of action

English is spoken all over the world.
I have been invited to the party.

To make an Impersonal statement.

It is said that share prices shall fall.
It is believed that love is blind.
 
 FORMATION OF PASSIVE VOICE
 
1) A tense of to be + past participle.

Active : He is/was planting a tree.

Passive : A tree is/was being planted by him.

Active : He plants/planted/has planted/had planted/will plant a tree.

Passive : A tree is/was/has been/had been/will be/will have been planted
by him.
 
2) Modal + be/have been + past participle.

Active : He may/might have planted a tree.

Passive : A tree may/ might have been planted by him.
 
3) Infinitive : to be/to have been + past participle

Active : He is/was to plant a tree.

Passive : A tree is to be/was to have been planted by him.

4) –ing form : being / having been + past participle

Active : planting / having planted

Passive : being planted/having been planted.

 CONVERSION FROM ACTIVE TO PASSIVE VOICE
1) If a transitive verb has 2 objects, any of the two can become subject in
passive voice.

Active : I taught Ravi English

Passive : English was taught to Ravi by me.
Ravi was taught English by me.

2) When a prepositional verb is changed from active to passive, the preposition

is not to be dropped.

Active : They laughed at the joker.

Passive : The joker was laughed at by them.

3) To change auxiliary verbs from active to passive, add ‘be’ along with past
participle to the verb.

Active : Ramesh can do the work.

Passive : The work can be done by Ramesh.
4) To change IMPERATIVE sentences from active to passive
‘let……be’ or ‘should be’ is used.

Active : Open the door.

Passive : Let the door be opened/ The door should be opened.

5) If intransitive verbs are used, the change of imperative sentences is carried as such.

Active : Sit down

Passive : You are ordered to sit down.

6) Sometimes, a transitive verb is not changed to passive form, but gives passive sense.

Sugar tastes sweet / Sugar is sweet when it is tasted.

These grapes taste sour / Grapes are sour when they are tasted.
7) Continuous form : Passive continuous is concerned with continuity rather than the
completed state of an action.

Active: The labourers are cutting firewood.

Passive : The firewood is being cut by the labourers.

8) Impersonal use : Passive voice expresses something impersonally.

It is hoped that …… People hope that…………..

It is said that………… Residents say that………..

It is believed that………… The patients believe that……..

9) Avoiding vague words as subjects.

~ When we wish to avoid using vague words like someone, a person, etc

After my lecture, I was asked to explain a point. (by others)

He was blamed for his actions. (by someone else)

~ When subject is an indefinite pronoun like one.

The form has to be signed. ( by one)

~ Passive voice is obligatory in notices

(PASSIVE VOICE) Loans arranged…..The bank arranges loans. (ACTIVE)

Shoes repaired….The cobbler repairs shoes.
Entry prohibited….. The guard prohibits entry.
WORKSHEET

1. He will be elected President next term.

_______________________________

2. Pastel colours are in fashion again.

_________________________.

3. They take too much for granted.

__________________________________.

4. The ballerina’s act was applauded at by them.

______________________

5. The assignment shall be done by the students

____________________________________

6. The carpenter is doing the repairs.

__________________________

7. Alas, his glorious voice will no longer be heard.

_____________________________________
8. Ram hoped to marry Gita soon.
________________________________

9. Avoid shortcuts in life.

_________________________________ .

10. You are all ordered to maintain silence.

_________________________________

11. The patients hoped for an early recovery.

_______________________________

12. History is taught by Ms Reeta to class 3rd.

__________________________.

13. Chillies are very hot to eat.

_____________________

14. He composed the best song in school.

______________________________
15.Everybody will remember Mother Teresa fondly.
Mother Teresa____________________________________ by everybody.

16. The school choir is singing the song beautifully.

The song ________________________________________ by the school choir.

17. Let the command be given.

___________________ the command.

18. The nation accused him of many frauds.

He was _____________________.

19. English is spoken all over the world.

The whole world ______________.

20. All students have to sign the exam forms.

The exam forms ___________________ .
Change the sentences below to the passive voice.
1. Small children cannot open these bottles easily.
2. The government built a road right outside her front door.
3. Ross broke the antique vase as he walked through the store.
4. When she arrived, the changes amazed her.
5. The kids are writing a new song.

Change the sentences below to the active voice.

6. The monument is being visited by hundreds of tourists every year.
7. My books were stolen by someone yesterday.
8. These books had been left in the classroom by a careless student.
9. Coffee is raised in many parts of Hawaii by plantation workers.
10. The house had been broken into by someone.
Active and Passive Voice Exercise

1. Ms. Sullivan teaches us grammar.

2. The teacher praised him.
3. The firemen took the injured to the hospital.
4. An earthquake destroyed the town.
5. The boy’s work pleased the teacher.
6. The fire damaged the building.
7. Who taught you French?
8. The manager will give you a ticket.
9. Spectators thronged the streets.
10. Everyone will blame us.
11. The wind blew down the trees.
12. The police caught the thieves.
13. Alice posted the letter.
14. The hostess received us.
15. They/somebody killed the snake with a stick.
16. The people welcomed the minister.
17. They found him guilty of murder.
18. John built this house in 1990.