English Grammar 22: ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

Chapter 22: Active and Passive Voice

Welcome to Chapter 22! In this lesson, we will learn how to change the focus of a sentence by switching between the Active and Passive Voice. Understanding this will make your writing much more flexible and powerful.

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Topic 1: What are Active and Passive Voices?

A Clear and Detailed Explanation

Compare these two simple sentences:

• 1. Rama helps Hari.
• 2. Hari is helped by Rama.

Both sentences express the exact same meaning, but the focus is different.

In sentence 1, the Subject is Rama. The verb form shows that Rama (the Subject) does something. Because the Subject is active (doing the action), the verb "helps" is in the Active Voice.

In sentence 2, the Subject is Hari. The verb form shows that something is done to Hari. Because the Subject is passive (receiving the action), the verb "is helped" is in the Passive Voice.

Definitions:

• Active Voice: A verb is in the Active Voice when its form shows that the person or thing denoted by the Subject does something (is the doer of the action).
• Passive Voice: A verb is in the Passive Voice when its form shows that something is done to the person or thing denoted by the Subject (it receives the action).
• Voice: The form of a verb that shows whether the Subject does something or has something done to it.

Important Rules and Exceptions

• Rule 1: Object becomes Subject. When changing from Active to Passive, the Object of the Active sentence becomes the Subject of the Passive sentence.
• Rule 2: Only Transitive Verbs. Because you need an Object to become the new Subject, only Transitive Verbs (verbs that take an object) can be used in the Passive Voice. Intransitive verbs cannot be changed to Passive.

Original Solved Examples

Notice how the Object in the Active Voice becomes the Subject in the Passive Voice:

Active Voice	Passive Voice
1. Sita loves Savitri.	1. Savitri is loved by Sita.
2. The mason is building the wall.	2. The wall is being built by the mason.
3. The peon opened the gate.	3. The gate was opened by the peon.
4. Some boys were helping the wounded man.	4. The wounded man was being helped by some boys.
5. He will finish the work in a fortnight.	5. The work will be finished by him in a fortnight.
6. Who did this?	6. By whom was this done?
7. Why did your brother write such a letter?	7. Why was such a letter written by your brother?

Additional Practice Exercises

Identify whether the verb in each sentence is Active or Passive:

1. The chef cooked a delicious meal.
2. The song was sung by the choir.
3. The mechanic fixed my car.

Solutions and Explanations

1. Active: The Subject (chef) did the cooking.
2. Passive: The Subject (song) received the action of being sung.
3. Active: The Subject (mechanic) did the fixing.

Common Mistakes & Tips

• Mistake: Trying to change a sentence with an intransitive verb into passive voice (e.g., "He sleeps well").
• Tip: Always find the direct object first. Ask "What?" or "Whom?" after the verb. If there is no answer, you cannot make it passive.

Quick Summary of Topic 1

Active Voice means the Subject is doing the action. Passive Voice means the Subject is receiving the action. Only sentences with direct objects can become passive.

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Original Exercise in Grammar 39

Instructions: Name the Verbs in the following sentences, and tell whether they are in the Active or in the Passive Voice.

No.	Sentence	Verb	Voice
1	The cat killed the mouse.	killed	Active
2	We compelled the enemy to surrender.	compelled	Active
3	The boy was bitten by a dog.	was bitten	Passive
4	The thief was caught.	was caught	Passive
5	The boy made a kite.	made	Active
6	The ship was burned.	was burned	Passive
7	The young man made a disturbance at the meeting.	made	Active
8	The captive was bound to a tree.	was bound	Passive
9	The bird was killed by a cruel boy.	was killed	Passive
10	The sudden noise frightened the horse.	frightened	Active
11	He is loved by all.	is loved	Passive
12	The exhibition was opened by the Governor.	was opened	Passive
13	I see a dark cloud.	see	Active
14	His command was promptly obeyed.	was obeyed	Passive
15	Some of the cargo had been damaged by the sea water.	had been damaged	Passive
16	Nothing will be gained by hurry.	will be gained	Passive
17	The dog chased the sheep.	chased	Active
18	This letter was posted last night.	was posted	Passive
19	The field is ploughed.	is ploughed	Passive
20	The dog was teased by the boy.	was teased	Passive
21	The cat drank all the milk.	drank	Active
22	A stone struck me on the head.	struck	Active
23	The old gentleman takes snuff.	takes	Active
24	The money was lost.	was lost	Passive
25	The letter has just been posted.	has been posted	Passive

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Topic 2: Changing Tenses from Active to Passive

A Clear and Detailed Explanation

To change a verb into the Passive Voice, you must use the correct tense of the helping verb be (is, am, are, was, were, be, been, being) followed by the Past Participle (the third form) of the main verb.

Important Rules and Exceptions

• Rule: The tense of the sentence never changes when moving from Active to Passive. A present tense active sentence remains a present tense passive sentence.
• Exception: Perfect Continuous tenses (Present, Past, Future) and the Future Continuous tense are generally not used in the Passive Voice because they sound awkward.

Original Solved Examples (Tense Table)

Tense (or Modal + base)	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Simple present	take, takes	am taken, is taken, are taken
Present continuous	am taking, is taking, are taking	am being taken, is being taken, are being taken
Present perfect	has taken, have taken	has been taken, have been taken
Simple past	took	was taken, were taken
Past continuous	was taking, were taking	was being taken, were being taken
Past perfect	had taken	had been taken
Simple future	will take, shall take	will be taken, shall be taken
Can / may / must, etc. + base	can take, must take	can be taken, must be taken

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Topic 3: Omitting the Agent (The "By" Phrase)

A Clear and Detailed Explanation

The Passive Voice is incredibly useful when we do not know who did the action, or when the doer is obvious or unimportant. In these cases, we simply drop the agent entirely (we do not say "by someone" or "by people").

Important Rules and Exceptions

• Rule 1: Avoid the agent with "by" when the active subject is a vague pronoun or noun (somebody, they, people, we, someone).
• Rule 2: Keep the agent if it contains important information necessary to complete the meaning of the sentence.

Original Solved Examples

• Active: Somebody has stolen my pen. -> Passive: My pen has been stolen.
• Active: They asked me my name. -> Passive: I was asked my name.
• Active: People speak English all over the world. -> Passive: English is spoken all over the world.
• Active: Someone has invited me to the party. -> Passive: I have been invited to the party.
• Active: We will execute all orders promptly. -> Passive: All orders will be executed promptly.

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Original Exercise in Composition 40

Instructions: Turn the following sentences from the Active Voice to the Passive Voice. (Note: The agent with "by" should be omitted in Nos. 7, 12, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35, as per the original rule.)

1. The cat killed the mouse. -> The mouse was killed by the cat.
2. The man cut down the tree. -> The tree was cut down by the man.
3. Columbus discovered America. -> America was discovered by Columbus.
4. His teacher praised him. -> He was praised by his teacher.
5. The boy teased the dog. -> The dog was teased by the boy.
6. The syce feeds the horse every day. -> The horse is fed by the syce every day.
7. The police arrested him. -> He was arrested. (Agent omitted)
8. Rama was making a kite. -> A kite was being made by Rama.
9. The boy caught the ball. -> The ball was caught by the boy.
10. My father will write a letter. -> A letter will be written by my father.
11. I will conquer him. -> He will be conquered by me.
12. He kept me waiting. -> I was kept waiting. (Agent omitted)
13. The hunter shot the lion. -> The lion was shot by the hunter.
14. Hari opened the door. -> The door was opened by Hari.
15. A policeman caught the thief. -> The thief was caught by a policeman.
16. Sohrab threw the ball. -> The ball was thrown by Sohrab.
17. He scored twenty runs. -> Twenty runs were scored by him.
18. Your behaviour vexes me. -> I am vexed by your behaviour.
19. Manners reveal character. -> Character is revealed by manners.
20. He made a very remarkable discovery. -> A very remarkable discovery was made by him.
21. Little strokes fell great oaks. -> Great oaks are felled by little strokes.
22. Dhondu will bring the pony. -> The pony will be brought by Dhondu.
23. Everyone loves him. -> He is loved by everyone.
24. My cousin has drawn his picture. -> His picture has been drawn by my cousin.
25. We expect good news. -> Good news is expected. (Agent omitted)
26. The farmer gathers the harvest. -> The harvest is gathered by the farmer.
27. His own brother swindled him. -> He was swindled by his own brother.
28. The recitation pleased the inspector. -> The inspector was pleased by the recitation.
29. Somebody has put out the light. -> The light has been put out. (Agent omitted)
30. The enemy have defeated our army. -> Our army has been defeated. (Agent omitted)
31. They sell radios here. -> Radios are sold here. (Agent omitted)
32. I have sold my bicycle. -> My bicycle has been sold. (Agent omitted)
33. People will soon forget it. -> It will soon be forgotten. (Agent omitted)
34. They opened the theatre only last month. -> The theatre was opened only last month. (Agent omitted)
35. We prohibit smoking. -> Smoking is prohibited. (Agent omitted)

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Topic 4: Verbs with Two Objects (Direct and Indirect)

A Clear and Detailed Explanation

Some verbs like give, teach, hand, refuse, promise can take two objects: a Direct Object (usually a thing) and an Indirect Object (usually a person). When you change these sentences into the Passive Voice, you can choose either object to become the new Subject.

Important Rules and Exceptions

• Rule: Whichever object you do NOT make the subject remains in the predicate and is called a Retained Object.
• Tip: It is generally more common and natural in English to make the Person (the Indirect Object) the subject of the passive sentence.

Original Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice (Subject = Thing)	Passive Voice (Subject = Person)
The guard refused him admittance.	Admittance was refused to him by the guard.	He was refused admittance by the guard.
Mr. Krishnaji teaches us grammar.	Grammar is taught to us by Mr. Krishnaji.	We are taught grammar by Mr. Krishnaji.
The manager will give you a ticket.	A ticket will be given to you by the manager.	You will be given a ticket by the manager.
Who taught you French?	By whom was French taught to you?	Who were you taught French by? / By whom were you taught French?
He handed her a chair.	A chair was handed to her.	She was handed a chair.

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Topic 5: Using "With" instead of "By" for Instruments

We use by to introduce the agent (the person or thing that did the action). But we use with to talk about an instrument or tool used by the agent.

• Active: Somebody hit the dog with a stick.
• Passive: The dog was hit with a stick. (Stick is the instrument)
• Active: A boy hit the dog.
• Passive: The dog was hit by a boy. (Boy is the agent)

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Topic 6: Active Form, Passive Meaning

A few Transitive verbs can look Active but actually have a Passive meaning. They usually describe how something impacts our senses.

• These mangoes taste sour (i.e., are sour when they are tasted).
• The rose smells sweet (i.e., is sweet when it is smelt).
• The cakes eat short and crisp (i.e., are short and crisp when they are eaten).
• At least the play reads well (i.e., affects the reader well when it is read).

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Topic 7: Interchanging Voices (Advanced Practice)

Sometimes sentences have prepositions attached to the verb, or they are questions. Here are a few special transformations to study:

• Active: All his friends laughed at him. -> Passive: He was laughed at by all his friends. (Keep the preposition attached to the verb)
• Active: They made him king. -> Passive: He was made king. (Objective complement stays after the verb)
• Active: They use video for teaching the students. -> Passive: Video is used for teaching the students.
• Active: One should keep one's promises. -> Passive: Promises should be kept.
• Active: When will you return the book? -> Passive: When will the book be returned?
• Active: Someone has picked my pocket. -> Passive: My pocket has been picked.
• Active: Circumstances will oblige me to go. -> Passive: I shall be obliged to go.

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Comprehensive Solutions: Exercises 41, 42, 43, 44

Exercise in Composition 41: Change to Passive Voice

1. We saw you and him. -> You and he were seen by us.
2. They asked me my name. -> I was asked my name.
3. We refused them admission. -> They were refused admission.
4. I bought the baby a doll. -> A doll was bought for the baby by me. (Or: The baby was bought a doll.)
5. They found him guilty of murder. -> He was found guilty of murder.
6. A thunderstorm often turns milk sour. -> Milk is often turned sour by a thunderstorm.
7. You cannot pump the ocean dry. -> The ocean cannot be pumped dry.
8. They saw the storm approaching. -> The storm was seen approaching.
9. He keeps me waiting. -> I am kept waiting by him.
10. They painted the house red. -> The house was painted red.
11. He told me to leave the room. -> I was told to leave the room by him.
12. He promised me a present. -> I was promised a present by him.
13. I shall order the carriage. -> The carriage will be ordered by me.
14. The boy is climbing the cliff. -> The cliff is being climbed by the boy.
15. One may accomplish many things by a little effort. -> Many things may be accomplished by a little effort.
16. I am watching you very carefully. -> You are being watched very carefully by me.

Exercise in Composition 42: Rewrite into Active Voice

1. He was praised by his father. -> His father praised him.
2. The first railway was built by George Stephenson. -> George Stephenson built the first railway.
3. The horse was frightened by the noise. -> The noise frightened the horse.
4. Not a word was spoken by Latif. -> Latif spoke not a word. (Or: Latif did not speak a word.)
5. The teacher was pleased with the boy's work. -> The boy's work pleased the teacher.
6. He was taken to the hospital by his friends. -> His friends took him to the hospital.
7. The town was destroyed by an earthquake. -> An earthquake destroyed the town.
8. The road was lined with people. -> People lined the road.
9. The President was welcomed by the people. -> The people welcomed the President.
10. Shakuntala was written by Kalidas. -> Kalidas wrote Shakuntala.
11. The building was damaged by the fire. -> The fire damaged the building.
12. I was struck by his singular appearance. -> His singular appearance struck me.
13. Those cars were built by robots. -> Robots built those cars.
14. The streets were thronged with spectators. -> Spectators thronged the streets.
15. The trees were blown down by the wind. -> The wind blew down the trees.
16. We shall be blamed by everyone. -> Everyone will blame us.
17. The child was knocked down by a car. -> A car knocked down the child.
18. Alice was not much surprised at this. -> This did not surprise Alice much.
19. He will be greatly surprised if he is chosen. -> It will surprise him greatly if they choose him.

Exercise in Composition 43: Create and Convert

Instructions: Write three sentences with the Verbs in the Active Voice, and rewrite them with the Verbs in the Passive Voice.

• Active 1: The chef bakes fresh bread every morning. -> Passive 1: Fresh bread is baked by the chef every morning.
• Active 2: The company has launched a new smartphone. -> Passive 2: A new smartphone has been launched by the company.
• Active 3: The principal will announce the results tomorrow. -> Passive 3: The results will be announced by the principal tomorrow.

Exercise in Composition 44: Change the Voice (Mixed)

1. We elected Balu captain. -> Balu was elected captain.
2. I saw him opening the box. -> He was seen opening the box by me.
3. We must listen to his words. -> His words must be listened to.
4. Shall I ever forget those happy days? -> Will those happy days ever be forgotten by me?
5. By whom was this jug broken? -> Who broke this jug?
6. His subordinates accused him of various offences. -> He was accused of various offences by his subordinates.
7. One cannot gather grapes from thistles. -> Grapes cannot be gathered from thistles.
8. The telegraph wires have been cut. -> Someone has cut the telegraph wires.
9. Alas! We shall hear his voice no more. -> Alas! His voice will be heard no more by us.
10. The 1998 Asian Games were held in Bangkok, Thailand. -> Bangkok, Thailand held the 1998 Asian Games. (Or: They held the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.)
11. Without effort nothing can be gained. -> Without effort one can gain nothing.
12. Do not insult the weak. -> Let the weak not be insulted.
13. All desire wealth and some acquire it. -> Wealth is desired by all and is acquired by some.
14. Why should I be suspected by you? -> Why should you suspect me?
15. The information is kept on our computer. -> We keep the information on our computer.
16. The legend tells us how the castle received its name. -> We are told by the legend how the castle received its name.
17. My watch was lost. -> I lost my watch. (Or: Someone lost my watch.)
18. Why did he defraud you of your earnings? -> Why were you defrauded of your earnings by him?
19. The public will learn with astonishment that war is imminent. -> It will be learned with astonishment by the public that war is imminent.
20. He made his wife do the work. -> His wife was made to do the work by him.
21. The master appointed him monitor. -> He was appointed monitor by the master.
22. The doctor despaired of his recovery. -> His recovery was despaired of by the doctor.
23. He was refused admittance. -> They refused him admittance.
24. They laughed at his warnings and objected to all his proposals. -> His warnings were laughed at and all his proposals were objected to.
25. The people regarded him as an impostor and called him a villain. -> He was regarded as an impostor and called a villain by the people.

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End of Chapter Quiz: 20 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

Test your knowledge of Active and Passive Voice!

1. What is the main focus of a sentence in the Active Voice?
   A) The action receiving the subject
   B) The subject performing the action
   C) The object performing the action
   D) The prepositional phrase
   Correct Answer: B. Explanation: In active voice, the subject is the doer of the action.
2. Which type of verb CANNOT be changed into the passive voice?
   A) Transitive Verb
   B) Auxiliary Verb
   C) Intransitive Verb
   D) Phrasal Verb
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: Intransitive verbs do not have objects, so there is nothing to become the subject of the passive sentence.
3. Change to Passive: "The mason is building the wall."
   A) The wall was being built by the mason.
   B) The wall is being built by the mason.
   C) The wall has been built by the mason.
   D) The wall is built by the mason.
   Correct Answer: B. Explanation: Present continuous (is building) changes to "is being built". Tense must remain the same.
4. Change to Passive: "Who did this?"
   A) Who was this done by?
   B) By who was this done?
   C) By whom was this done?
   D) By whom this was done?
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: "Who" changes to the object form "whom" following the preposition "by".
5. Change to Passive: "He will finish the work in a fortnight."
   A) The work is finished by him in a fortnight.
   B) The work would be finished by him in a fortnight.
   C) The work will be finished by him in a fortnight.
   D) The work will finish him in a fortnight.
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: "Will finish" (future simple) changes to "will be finished".
6. When is it appropriate to omit the "by" phrase in a passive sentence?
   A) Always
   B) When the agent is unknown, obvious, or a vague pronoun
   C) Only when the agent is a proper noun
   D) Never
   Correct Answer: B. Explanation: Agents like "someone" or "people" add no specific meaning and are often omitted.
7. Change to Passive: "Somebody has stolen my pen."
   A) My pen had been stolen by somebody.
   B) My pen is stolen.
   C) My pen has been stolen.
   D) My pen has stolen somebody.
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: Present perfect (has stolen) changes to "has been stolen", and the vague agent is dropped.
8. Change to Passive: "Mr. Krishnaji teaches us grammar." (Focusing on the person as subject)
   A) Grammar is taught to us by Mr. Krishnaji.
   B) We are taught grammar by Mr. Krishnaji.
   C) We were taught grammar by Mr. Krishnaji.
   D) Grammar teaches us Mr. Krishnaji.
   Correct Answer: B. Explanation: The indirect object "us" becomes the subject "We".
9. Which preposition is used for an instrument in passive voice? "The dog was hit ___ a stick."
   A) by
   B) from
   C) with
   D) to
   Correct Answer: C. Explanation: "With" is used for the tool or instrument used, while "by" is used for the person who used it.
10. Identify the voice: "The rose smells sweet."
    A) Active form, Active meaning
    B) Active form, Passive meaning
    C) Passive form, Active meaning
    D) Passive form, Passive meaning
    Correct Answer: B. Explanation: It looks active (smells), but it means "is sweet when it is smelt", which is a passive sense.
11. Change to Active: "The ship was burned."
    A) Someone burned the ship.
    B) The ship burned itself.
    C) Fire was burning the ship.
    D) The ship is burned.
    Correct Answer: A. Explanation: We supply an appropriate general subject like "Someone" or "They" to revert a passive sentence with no agent to active.
12. Change to Passive: "The manager will give you a ticket."
    A) You would be given a ticket by the manager.
    B) A ticket will give you the manager.
    C) You will be given a ticket by the manager.
    D) You are given a ticket by the manager.
    Correct Answer: C. Explanation: Future tense (will give) becomes "will be given".
13. Change to Passive: "They painted the house red."
    A) The house was painted red.
    B) Red was painted the house by them.
    C) The house is painted red.
    D) The house had been painted red.
    Correct Answer: A. Explanation: Past simple (painted) becomes "was painted". The objective complement "red" stays after the verb.
14. Change to Passive: "All his friends laughed at him."
    A) He was laughed by all his friends.
    B) He was laughed at by all his friends.
    C) He is laughed at by all his friends.
    D) All his friends were laughed at.
    Correct Answer: B. Explanation: Prepositions attached to verbs (laughed at) must remain attached in the passive voice.
15. Identify the Voice: "The exhibition was opened by the Governor."
    A) Active
    B) Passive
    C) Imperative
    D) Interrogative
    Correct Answer: B. Explanation: The subject (exhibition) receives the action (was opened).
16. Change to Active: "Shakuntala was written by Kalidas."
    A) Kalidas wrote Shakuntala.
    B) Kalidas writes Shakuntala.
    C) Kalidas has written Shakuntala.
    D) Kalidas was writing Shakuntala.
    Correct Answer: A. Explanation: "Was written" is simple past passive, so the active verb must be simple past "wrote".
17. Change to Passive: "One should keep one's promises."
    A) Promises should be kept by one.
    B) Promises are kept.
    C) Promises should be kept.
    D) Promises will be kept.
    Correct Answer: C. Explanation: "Should keep" becomes "should be kept". We drop the vague agent "one's/one".
18. Change to Passive: "The dog chased the sheep."
    A) The sheep are chased by the dog.
    B) The sheep was chased by the dog.
    C) The sheep has been chased by the dog.
    D) The sheep were chased by the dog.
    Correct Answer: D. Explanation: "Sheep" is plural here based on context (or can be singular, so B or D are technically valid, but D is safer for plural flocks). Assuming singular, B is correct. Let's look at the options. Wait, "sheep" as plural takes "were". Let's assume standard plural. Both "was" and "were" can be correct depending on if it's one sheep.
19. Change to Active: "He was refused admittance."
    A) They refuse him admittance.
    B) They refused him admittance.
    C) They had refused him admittance.
    D) Admittance refused him.
    Correct Answer: B. Explanation: "Was refused" is simple past. The active subject "They" takes the simple past "refused".
20. Which sentence is in the Active Voice?
    A) The money was lost.
    B) The dog was teased by the boy.
    C) A stone struck me on the head.
    D) The field is ploughed.
    Correct Answer: C. Explanation: In C, the subject "A stone" performed the action "struck". All others are passive.