Active and Passive Voice Explained

Active Voice
and
Passive Voice

Difference Between Active and Passive Voice
1. The subject and object are interchanged:
2. Change in the form of the main verb:
chases -> is chased
present participle -> linking verb + perfect participle of chase
Addition of 'by' in front of the object denoting the presence of an agent which
does some action on the subject.
Voice Subject Verb Object
Active Tom chases Jerry
Passive Jerry is chased by Tom

Why do we need active and passive voice?
Active voice Passive voice
1 . Used to say what the subject does
Tom (s) chases (v) Jerry (o).
known/important
1.Used to say what happens to the
subject Jerry (s) is chased (v) by Toni
(o).
2. Who or what causes the action is
a. Malgudi Days is interesting. Who
wrote it?
R. K. Narayan wrote it.b. Who invented
the telephone?
2. Who or what causes the action is
unknown/unimportant or to be vague
about who is responsible
a)The house is kept clean. I don't know
who does that, but the house is clean'
And, that's what matters.
b) When was the telephone invented?

Changing the verb
Tense Verb change Active voice Passive voice
Simple
Present
Present
participle
is/are+ perfect
participle
They kee12
their house
clean.
Their house is
kept clean by
them.
Present
continuous
am/is/are+
'gerund (ing
form)
am/is/are+ being+
perfect participle
Ryan is white-
washing the
fence.
The fence is
TEST being
white-
washed by
Ryarti.A
Present
perfect
has/have+
perfect
participle
has/have+ been+
perfect participle
The cat has
drunk the
milk.
The milk has
been drunk
by the cat.
Present
perfect
continuous
has/have+
been+ gerund
has/have+ been+
being + perfect
participle
He has been
Painting the
house.
The house
has been
being painted
by him.

Simple past past
participle
was/were+
perfect participle
Mozart
wrote more
than 600
pieces of
music.
More than
600 pieces
of music
were
written by
Mozart.
Past continuous was/were+
gerund
was/were+
being+ perfect
participle
He was
pJayJng
violin
Violin was
being played
by him
Past perfect had+ perfect
participle
had+ been+
perfect participle
They had
received the
parcel.
The parcel
had been
received by
them.
Past perfect continuous had+ been +
gerund
had+ been+
being+ perfect
participle
He had been
preparing
charts.
Charts had
been being
prepared by
him.

Simple future will will+ present
participle
will+ be+ perfect
participle
I will keep the
box.
The box will
be kept by me.
going to am/is/are
going to+
present
participle
am/is/are going to+
be + perfect
participle
I am going to
prepare the
dinner.
The dinner is
going to be
prepared by
me
Future
continuous
will will be+
gerund
will be+ being+
perfect participle
He will be
finishing the
work.
The work will
be being
finished by
him.
Future perfect will have+
perfect
participle
will have+ been+
perfect participle
I will have
finished the
work.
The work will
have been
finished by me

You must have noticed
• The main verb is always the perfect participle of the root verb.
He had been preparing charts.
Charts had been being prepared by him.
They keep their house clean.
Their house is kept clean by them.
• Gerund (ing form) always changes into 'being + perfect participle'.
He will be finishing the work.
The work will be being finished by him.
He was playing violin.
Violin was being played by him

• Has/have/had changes into 'has/have/had + been'.
I will have finished the work.
The work will have been finished by me.
They had received the parcel.
The parcel had been received by them.

Important Points to Remember
• Future continuous & perfect continuous tenses do not form passive voice.
• Some verb cannot be passive like be, belong, exist, lack, resemble, seem,
suit, have (= own).
For example:
• Tom has a guitar.
• The building seemed empty.
• Certain verb take fixed preposition after them that replaces the "by".
Such verb are - known to, surprised at/by, amazed at, astonished at, vexed
at, annoyed with/at, contained in, decorated with, filled with, tired of,
engulfed in. etc.

For example:
Active: The fire engulfed the building.
Passive: The building was engulfed in the fire.
• Some verb have two objects like give, send offer award etc. The sentence
having these words have two possible passive forms.
For example:
Active: He gave me a book.
Passive 1: I was given a book by him.
Passive 2: A book was given to me by him.

Rules of making passive voice
Subject is changed as per the following rule
ACTIVE PASSIVE
I ME
THEY THEM
HE HIM
SHE HER
WE US
WHO WHOM
IT IT
YOU YOU
WHAT WHAT
WHICH WHICH

General rule used to make passive voice
Object + To be + Past Participle of Verb + by Subject
‘To be’ varies according to the tense and rest of the rule remains the same.
Present Indefinite
The forms of ‘To be’ – is/am/are
Object + is/am/are + Past Participle of Verb + by Subject
Examples
Active – He plays football.
Passive– Football is passed by him.
Active– I teach English.
Passive – English is taught by me.

Past Indefinite
The forms of ‘To be’ – was/ were
So rule would be modified as
Object + was/were + Past Participle of Verb + by Subject
Example
Active – Her Teacher punished her.
Passive– She was punished by her teacher.

Perfect Tense (Past, Present, Future)
The form of ‘To be’ – been
Object + been + Past Participle of Verb + by Subject
Examples
Present Perfect:
Active – He has written a letter.
PASSIVE – A Letter has been written by him.

Past Perfect:
Active – They had already watched the movie.
Passive– The movie had already been watched by them.
Future Perfect:
Active – The children will have seen the show.
Passive– The show will have been seen by the children.

Continuous Tense (Present, Past)
The form of ‘To be’ – being
Object + being + Past Participle of Verb + by Subject
Present Continuous:
Active – He is eating ice cream.
Passive– Ice cream is being eaten by him.
Past Continuous:
Active – They were watching the movie.
Passive– The movie was being watched by them.

NOTE: Passive voice of Future Continuous and Perfect Continuous
Tenses is not possible.
MODALS (can, should, will etc.) and Future Indefinite
The form of ‘To be’ – be
Object + be + Past Participle of Verb + by Subject
EXAMPLES
Active – Government should ban smoking
Passive– Smoking should be banned by the government.
Active –I will finish the job tomorrow.
Passive– The job will be finished by me tomorrow.

Summary
So, changing Active Voice into Passive requires two steps:
Identify type of tense used in Active Voice
Apply the corresponding rule.
TENSEFORMS OF ‘ TO BE’
Present Indefinite Is/am/are
Past Indefinite Was/were
Perfect (Present, Perfect, Future)been
Continuous(Present, Past) being
Modals and Future Indefinite be

Test Your Knowledge
Change the following sentences into the passive voice.
• He likes coffee.
• I received a parcel.
• You will never forget this lesson.
• They have brought a gift for you.
• They had prepared the dinner before we arrived.
• She will have taken the test.
• She is doing the cooking.
• They were giving a performance.
• They should hire professionals.

ANSWERS
• Coffee is liked by him. (Present Indefinite)
• A parcel was received by me. (Past Indefinite)
• This lesson will never be forgotten by you. (Future Indefinite)
• A gift has been brought to you by them. (Present Perfect)
• The dinner had been prepared before we arrived. (Past Perfect)
• The test will have been taken by her. (Future Perfect)
• The cooking is being done by her. (Present continuous)
• A performance was being given by them. (Past Continuous)
• Professionals should be hired by them. (Modals)

Directions(1 – 3): A sentence has been given in active/passive voice.
Out of the suggested alternatives, select the one which
expresses the same sentence in passive/active voice.

1. We cannot achieve success without hard work.
a) Success cannot be achieved without hard work.
b) Success cannot have been achieved without hard work.
c) Success cannot have been achieved by us without hard work.
d) Success cannot achieve without hard work.
e) Success cannot have achieved without hard work.
Answer: a
Explanation:
The active verb ‘cannot achieve’ becomes ‘cannot be achieved’ in the passive
voice. The agent (the person who performs the action) can be omitted in the
passive voice.

2. I have already shown the Officer Jay’s photo.
a) The officer had already been shown Jay’s photo.
b) Jay’s photo has already been shown to the Officer.
c) Jay’s photo had already been shown to the Officer.
d) The officer has already been showing Jay’s photo.
e) Jay’s photo has already shown to the officer.
Answer: b
Explanation:
When the active verb has two objects, there are two possibilities. a) The direct object (usually
a thing) can be the subject of the passive verb.b) The indirect object (usually a person) can be
the subject of the passive verb. In the given sentence, the direct object is the phrase `Jay`s
photo` and the indirect object is the noun `the Officer`. When the direct object becomes the
subject of the passive verb, we get: Jay`s photo has already been shown to the Officer. When
the indirect object is the subject of the passive verb, we get: The officer has already been
shown Jay`s photo.

3. The visitors were shown a collection of old manuscripts.
a) A collection of old manuscripts was shown to the visitors.
b)The hostess was showing the visitors a collection of old manuscripts.
c) The hostess showed the visitors a collection of old manuscripts.
d) The hostess was showed a collection of old manuscripts.
e) A collection of old manuscripts showed the visitors.
Answer: c
Solution:
The passive verb ‘were/was shown’ becomes ‘showed’ in the active voice.
When the agent (the person who performs the action) is not mentioned in
the passive voice, we can use a noun/pronoun appropriate for the context in
the active voice.

Change the voice :
1. She should be polite.
a) Politeness should be shown by her.
b) Politeness should be possessed by her.
c) She is supposed to be polite.
d) None of these

Change the voice :
1. She should be polite.
a) Politeness should be shown by her.
b) Politeness should be possessed by her.
c) She is supposed to be polite.
d) None of these
Answer : d
Note – If any form of the verb ‘be'(is, am, are etc) is used as a main verb,
the sentence can’t be turned into passive voice.
For example – She is sad.

2. The teacher gave me a book to read.
a) I was given a book by the teacher to read.
b) I was given a book by the teacher to be read.
c) A book to be read has been given to me by the teacher.
d) None of these

2. The teacher gave me a book to read.
a) I was given a book by the teacher to read.
b) I was given a book by the teacher to be read.
c) A book to be read has been given to me by the teacher.
d) None of these
Answer : a
Note – (To + V1) is changed into (to+be+V3). But when we convert (to+v1)
into (to+be+V3) , we open the option of (by + sub) and if the same sentence is
repeated in the sentence that has already come in the sentence earlier, we
don’t change (to+V1) into (to+be+V3).

3. Paracetamol tastes bitter.
a) Paracetamol is bitter tasted.
b) The taste of paracetamol is bitter.
c) A bitter taste is possessed by paracetamol.
d) Paracetamol is bitter when it is tasted.

3. Paracetamol tastes bitter.
a) Paracetamol is bitter tasted.
b) The taste of paracetamol is bitter.
c) A bitter taste is possessed by paracetamol.
d) Paracetamol is bitter when it is tasted.
Answer : d
• Note- When the verb of a sentence is followed by an adjective, we use the
formula
• Sub +verb + adj + when +pronoun+H.V. +V3
Example – The oranges tasted sour.
The oranges were sour when they were tasted.

4. Shut the door and leave.
a) Let the door be shut and you are ordered to leave.
b) Let the door be shut and leave.
c) Let the door be shut and be left.
d) None of these

4. Shut the door and leave.
a) Let the door be shut and you are ordered to leave.
b) Let the door be shut and leave.
c) Let the door be shut and be left.
d) None of these
Answer : a

5. Have this puzzle solved.
a) solve this puzzle.
b) Get someone to solve this puzzle.
c) Let this puzzle be solved.
d) None of these

5. Have this puzzle solved.
a) solve this puzzle.
b) Get someone to solve this puzzle.
c) Let this puzzle be solved.
d) None of these
Answer : b
Note – ‘Have’ is a causative verb here. Hence we need a subject ‘someone’
here.

6.Don’t make a noise.
a) Let a noise not be made.
b) You are requested to not make a noise.
c) You are ordered to not make a noise.
d) You are forbidden to make a noise.

6. Don’t make a noise.
a) Let a noise not be made.
b) You are requested to not make a noise.
c) You are ordered to not make a noise.
d) You are forbidden to make a noise.
Answer : d

7. The students are making a hue and cry and breaking the furniture.
a) A hue and cry is being made and the furniture is being broken by the
students.
b) Hue and cry are being made and the furniture are being broken by
the students.
c) A hue and cry is being made and the furniture are being broken by
the students.
d) None of these

7. The students are making a hue and cry and breaking the furniture.
a) A hue and cry is being made and the furniture is being broken by the students.
b) Hue and cry are being made and the furniture are being broken by the
students.
c) A hue and cry is being made and the furniture are being broken by the
students.
d) None of these
Answer : a
A hue and cry takes singular verb, Furniture also takes singular verb, It’s
treated as an uncountable noun.

8. India expected to win the cricket world cup.
a) The cricket world cup was expected to be won by India.
b) It was expected by India to win the cricket world cup.
c) To win the cricket world cup was expected by India.
d) None of these

8. India expected to win the cricket world cup.
a) The cricket world cup was expected to be won by India.
b) It was expected by India to win the cricket world cup.
c) To win the cricket world cup was expected by India.
d) None of these
Answer : b
Note – option ‘a’ can’t be the answer as it will mean that ‘it was expected by
the people’ but in question it is mentioned that ‘India expected to win’. Hence
option (b) is a better answer.

9. You will have to pay the penalty as you have not complied with the rules
of the company.
a) The penalty will have to be paid by you as the rules of the company
have not been complied by you.
b) The penalty will have to be paid by you as the rules of the company
have not been complied with by you.
c) The penalty will have to be paid by you as the rules of the company
have not been complied with.
d) None of these

9. You will have to pay the penalty as you have not complied with the rules of
the company.
a) The penalty will have to be paid by you as the rules of the company have
not been complied by you.
b) The penalty will have to be paid by you as the rules of the company have
not been complied with by you.
c) The penalty will have to be paid by you as the rules of the company have
not been complied with.
d) None of these
Answer : b
We have to use ‘with’ with ‘comply’

10. He has written a novel which fascinates everyone.
a) A novel has been written by him which fascinates everyone.
b) A novel written by him fascinates everyone.
c) Everyone is fascinated by a novel which has been written by him.
d) None of these

10. He has written a novel which fascinates everyone.
a) A novel has been written by him which fascinates everyone.
b) A novel written by him fascinates everyone.
c) Everyone is fascinated by a novel which has been written by him.
d) None of these
Answer : c

11. They say that there are living beings on some unknown planets.
a) They are said that there are living beings on some unknown planets.
b) They say that some unknown planets have living beings.
c) It is said that there are living beings on some unknown planets.
d) None of these

11. They say that there are living beings on some unknown planets.
a) They are said that there are living beings on some unknown planets.
b) They say that some unknown planets have living beings.
c) It is said that there are living beings on some unknown planets.
d) None of these
Answer : c

12. Even a large ant may kill a big elephant.
a) A big elephant is killed by even a large ant.
b) A big elephant may be killed by even a large ant.
c) A big elephant may have been killed by even a large ant.
d) A big elephant ought to be killed by a large ant.

12. Even a large ant may kill a big elephant.
a) A big elephant is killed by even a large ant.
b) A big elephant may be killed by even a large ant.
c) A big elephant may have been killed by even a large ant.
d) A big elephant ought to be killed by a large ant.
Answer : b

13. Who has stolen my binoculars?
a) By who has my binoculars been stolen?
b) By whom has my binoculars been stolen?
c) By whom have my binoculars been stolen?
d) None of these

13. Who has stolen my binoculars?
a) By who has my binoculars been stolen?
b) By whom has my binoculars been stolen?
c) By whom have my binoculars been stolen?
d) None of these
Answer : b
Note – ‘Binoculars’ take plural verb like spectacles, jeans etc. But here ‘has’ is
used for ‘who’.
Who – passive – by whom by who
Who…by
Who has my binoculars been stolen by?
He stole my binoculars.
My binoculars have been stolen.
Here ‘have’ is used for binoculars

14. People consider that she is honest.
a) She is considered honest by people
b) It is considered that she is honest.
c) She is perceived as honest.
d) She has been considered honest.

14. People consider that she is honest.
a) She is considered honest by people
b) It is considered that she is honest.
c) She is perceived as honest.
d) She has been considered honest.
Answer : b
NOTE – When principle clause is followed by noun clause as object, the
passive voice is made as follows:
Active – We hope that she will pass the examination
Passive – It is hoped that she will pass the examination

15. His sudden arrival surprised everyone.
a) He surprised everyone by his sudden arrival.
b) Everyone was surprised by his sudden arrival.
c) Everyone was surprised at his sudden arrival.
d) None of these

15. His sudden arrival surprised everyone.
a) He surprised everyone by his sudden arrival.
b) Everyone was surprised by his sudden arrival.
c) Everyone was surprised at his sudden arrival.
d) None of these
Answer : c
Note – ‘By’ is not used with certain verbs while making a passive voice,
instead we use at, with, in, to etc
They take fixed preposition after them that replaces ‘by’
Surprise at/by, known to, amazed at, astonished at, startled at, vexed at,
engulfed in, embodied in, contained in annoyed with somebody, annoyed
at something, decorated with, closed with, ornamented with, thronged
with, tired of.

16. None saw her in the party.
a) she was seen by none in the party.
b) She was not seen in the party.
c) She was not seen in the party by someone.
d) None of these

16. None saw her in the party.
a) she was seen by none in the party.
b) She was not seen in the party.
c) She was not seen in the party by someone.
d) None of these
Answer : b
Note – Sentences beginning with negative indefinite pronouns are
converted into negative. (c) can’t be the answer because ‘someone’ is
there in the sentence.

17. I remember my father taking me to parties.
a) I remember my father took me to parties.
b) I remember my father being taken to parties.
c)I remember being taken to parties by my father.
d) I remember him taking me to parties

17. I remember my father taking me to parties.
a) I remember my father took me to parties.
b) I remember my father being taken to parties.
c)I remember being taken to parties by my father.
d) I remember him taking me to parties
Answer : c

18. Sara has made Suhana sing a song.
a)Suhana has been made to sing a song.
b)Suhana has been made singing a song.
c)Suhana has been made to singing a sing.
d) None of these.

18. Sara has made Suhana sing a song.
a)Suhana has been made to sing a song.
b)Suhana has been made singing a song.
c)Suhana has been made to singing a sing.
d) None of these.
Answer : a
Note – The verbs, ‘let, bid, make, help, feel, see, watch, hear are used
with direct infinitive (without to) in active voice. In passive voice these
verbs are used with infinitive (to + v1).
**’ Let’ is an exception.Let is followed by direct infinitive both in active
and passive voice sentences. See the question number 19th.

19. Suhana let me go.
a) I was let gone by Suhana.
b) I was let go by Suhana.
c) Suhana let me gone.
d) Suhana allowed me to go.

19. Suhana let me go.
a) I was let gone by Suhana.
b) I was let go by Suhana.
c) Suhana let me gone.
d) Suhana allowed me to go.
Answer : b

20. They should not look down upon the poor.
a) The poor should not be looked down by them.
b) The poor should not be looked down upon by them.
c) The poor must not be looked down upon.
d) The poor ought to be not looked down upon.

20. They should not look down upon the poor.
a) The poor should not be looked down by them.
b) The poor should not be looked down upon by them.
c) The poor must not be looked down upon.
d) The poor ought to be not looked down upon.
Answer : b

21. Turn Sara out.
a) Let Sara turn out.
b) Let Sara turned out.
c) Let Sara be turned out.
d) Sara was turned out.

21. Turn Sara out.
a) Let Sara turn out.
b) Let Sara turned out.
c) Let Sara be turned out.
d) Sara was turned out.
Answer : c
Note – When there is command or order and object is given, use Let +
object + be + past participle.

22. Listen to the song.
a) The song should be listened.
b) The song should be listened out.
c) The song must be listened out.
d) The song should be listened to.

22. Listen to the song.
a) The song should be listened.
b) The song should be listened out.
c) The song must be listened out.
d) The song should be listened to.
Answer : d

23. Prepare for the war.
a) Let the war be prepared for.
b) Let the war be prepared.
c) You should be prepared for the war.
d) The war should be prepared.

23. Prepare for the war.
a) Let the war be prepared for.
b) Let the war be prepared.
c) You should be prepared for the war.
d) The war should be prepared.
Answer : c
Note – When there is permission, request, advice and the object is given, make
passive with object.
(Object +should be +Past participle)
When the object is not given, begin the sentence with you are allowed,
requested, advised…
For example – Please come fast.
Passive – You are requested to come fast.

24. Let me play here.
a) I may be allowed to play here.
b) I must be allowed to play here.
c) Let me be played here.
d) You should allow me to play here.

24. Let me play here.
a) I may be allowed to play here.
b) I must be allowed to play here.
c) Let me be played here.
d) You should allow me to play here.
Answer : a
Note – when a sentence begins with ‘let’ and object is given, follow the
rule
Object + may/should + be +past participle.
When the object is not given, begin the sentence with ‘It is suggested’.
See the example 26th.

25. Let us take her to the hospital.
a) We should take her to the hospital.
b) Let her be taken to the hospital.
c) She should be taken to the hospital.
d) we let her to be taken to the hospital.

25. Let us take her to the hospital.
a) We should take her to the hospital.
b) Let her be taken to the hospital.
c) She should be taken to the hospital.
d) we let her to be taken to the hospital.
Answer : c
Sentence beginning with ‘let’ and the object is given.. Refer to the 24th
explanation

26. Let us stay together.
a) We should stay together.
b) We should be stayed together.
c)It is suggested to us to stay together
d) It is suggested that we should stay together.

26. Let us stay together.
a) We should stay together.
b) We should be stayed together.
c) It is suggested to us to stay together
d) It is suggested that we should stay together.
Answer : d

27. It is time to wind up the session.
a) It is time that the session to be winded up.
b) It is time for the session to be winded up.
c) It is time for the session to be wound up.
d)It is time that the session to be wounded up.

27. It is time to wind up the session.
a) It is time that the session to be winded up.
b) It is time for the session to be winded up.
c) It is time for the session to be wound up.
d)It is time that the session to be wounded up.
Answer : c

28. It is necessary to help the poor.
a) The poor must be helped.
b) The poor are ought to be helped.
c) The poor is required to be helped.
d) The poor are required to be helped.

28. It is necessary to help the poor.
a) The poor must be helped.
b) The poor are ought to be helped.
c) The poor is required to be helped.
d) The poor are required to be helped.
Answer : d

29. I have to go there.
a) I am obliged to go there.
b) Let me go there.
c) I have to be allowed to go there.
d) I have had to go there.

29. I have to go there.
a) I am obliged to go there.
b) Let me go there.
c) I have to be allowed to go there.
d) I have had to go there.
Answer : a
If (have/has/is/am/are/was/were + infinitive) is the structure of an active
sentence and it imparts sense of duty, compulsion etc, passive is made by
replacing the verb with oblige/bound etc.

30. It is your duty to make your father proud.
a) You ought to make your father proud.
b) You are bound to make your father proud.
c) Your father should be made proud of yourself.
d) You are supposed to make your father proud.

30. It is your duty to make your father proud.
a) You ought to make your father proud.
b) You are bound to make your father proud.
c) Your father should be made proud of yourself.
d) You are supposed to make your father proud.
Answer : d
‘Suppose’ is used if there is a sense of duty in the active form of the
sentence.

31. Thick clouds overcast the sky.
a) The sky is over casted by thick clouds.
b) The sky is overcast by thick clouds.
c) The sky has been over casted by thick clouds.
d) The sky has been overcast by thick clouds.

31. Thick clouds overcast the sky.
a) The sky is over casted by thick clouds.
b) The sky is overcast by thick clouds.
c) The sky has been over casted by thick clouds.
d) The sky has been overcast by thick clouds.
Answer : b

In the following Question, a sentence has been given In Active/Passive
voice. Out of the four alternative suggested, select the one which best
expresses the same sentence in passive/Active voice.
Q.1) The teach punished the boys who had not done their homework.
a) The boys who had not done their homework had been punished by
their teacher
b) The boys were punished by the teacher who had not done their
homework.
c) The boys who had not done their homework were punished by the
teacher.
d) The boys who had not done their homework were being punished by
the teacher.

In the following Question, a sentence has been given In
Active/Passive voice. Out of the four alternative suggested,
select the one which best expresses the same sentence in
passive/Active voice.
Q.2) The organizers will give you a certificate
a) The organizers had given you a certificate
b) A certificate will be given to you by the organizers.
c) You were given a certificate by the organizers.
d) Giving of certificate to you was done by organizers.

Q.3) The theatre was keeping a seat for you
a) A seat was being kept for you by the theatre
b) Keeping of a seat for you has been doe by the theatre.
c) The theatre has kept a seat for you
d) A seat would be kept for you by theatre

Q.4) Please help me
a) You are being requested to help me.
b) You were requested to help me.
c) You are requested to help me
d) You have been requested to help me.

Active and Passive Voice Explained

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