Active and passive voice rules and examples

2. Voice is a form of a verb that is used to show
whether the subject is given more emphasis
or the action done by the subject is given
more emphasis.
The subject of the voice of a sentence is a
person, a thing, an action or a place whom
the sentence is about.

5. We always use past participle verb with a
passive voice.
Past participles verb has endings in -ed. Irregular
past participle verb has endings in -en, -t, -d or -
n.
Example:
 Active Voice: I am doing my work. (Here the sentence is in
present continuous tense and the verb is in -ing form)
 Passive Voice: My homework is being done. (Here the
sentence is in present continuous tense and the verb is in
past participle form)

6. We always use a helping verb in a passive
sentence.
Example:
Active Voice: The magician performed a trick. (Here
there is only one verb, i.e. main verb- performed)
Passive Voice: A trick was performed by the
magician. (Here there are two verbs, i.e. one
main verb- performed and one helping or
supporting verb- was)

7. Points to Remember during the Conversion of
Voices
When we convert the Voice the following things
should be kept in mind:
Do not change the meaning of the sentence.
Do not change the form of the sentence
(Imperative/ Interrogative)
Do not change the tense of the subject.

8. Special Case of Passive Voice:
Sometimes, the most obvious doer of the action is not
mentioned in the sentence. In such cases, we have to
assume the doer of the action.
Example:
Passive Voice: A judgment has been passed in court. Here
the doer of the action is obvious. It will be the judge or the
jury panel. Hence, it is not mentioned. So while converting
into active voice the sentence will become.
Active Voice: The judge/ jury passed the judgment in the
court.

9. Pronoun Changes after ‘by’ in Passive Voice:
Active Voice Passive
Voice
I Me
We Us
You You
He Him
She Her
They Them

12. Imperative Sentences
The object is generally missing in Imperative
Sentences. The structure of such sentences in
Passive Voice is: Let + object + be/not be + V3
Active Voice Passive Voice
Do it. Let it be done.
Call in the doctor. Let the doctor be called
in.

13. In sentences that
express request, advice, and/or order, such
phrases as you are requested to /advised to
/ordered to are used. Word kindly /please are
dropped.
Active Voice Passive Voice
Kindly lend me some
money.
You are requested to lend
me some money.

14. Passive Voice in Infinitive Verbs
Active Voice Passive Voice
to + V1 to + be + V3
Example:
I have to do this work. This work has to be done.
Women like men to flatter
them.
Women like to be flattered by
men.
I saw him cross the road. He was seen to cross the road
(by me).
It is time to do this work. It is time for this work to be
done.

15. The impersonal voice is a style of English used in formal
situations such as official letters and notices. It is used
for passive sentences where there is no subject.
 The window was broken. (personal - the window is the
subject)
 It is said that ghosts don't exist. (impersonal - there is no
subject)
Sentences using the impersonal voice often begin with the
phrases below.
 It is said that...
 It is thought that...

16. When we put an object of an active sentence into passive, it
becomes subject of the passive sentence.
 Active sentence → The professor gave the students the
books.
 Passive sentence → The students were given the books.
We sometimes use a pronoun for the students or the books in
its subject form (here: they).
 Active sentence → The professor gave them the books.
 Passive sentence → They were given the books.
 We very often leave out the by-agent in the passive sentence
(here: by the professor).

19. Questions
Active Sentences
Has he done the work?
Have they left the apartment?
Passive Sentences
Has the work been done by him?
Has the apartment been left by them?

20. Active Sentences
Didn’t anyone tell you about the new policies of resigning?
Where did they find the red bag?
Shouldn’t we honour the brave frontline warriors for their
exemplary service?
Passive Sentences
Weren’t you told about the new policies of resigning?
Where was the red bag found?
Shouldn’t the brave frontline warriors be honoured by us for
their exemplary service?

21. Active Sentences
When do you play chess?
Why did she read books?
When will she take medicine?
How will not they attend the prayer?
Passive Sentences
When is chess played by you?
Why were books read by her?
When will medicine be taken by her?
How will the prayer not be attended by them?

22. Active Sentences
How is Kamal writing the letter?
Why was he buying art-papers?
Why will you be teaching the students?
Why will Peter be wasting his time?
Passive Sentences
How is the letter being written by Kamal?
Why were art-papers being bought by him?
Why will the students be being taught by you?
Why will his time be being wasted by Peter?

23. Active Sentences
Why have you made this silly mistake?
When had they promoted her?
Who has broken the glass?
Whom is John inviting?
Passive Sentences
Why has this silly mistake been made by you?
When had she been promoted (by them)?
By whom has the glass been broken?
Who is being invited by John?

24.  Q.1. Never disobey your elders
 You are asked not to disobey your elders.
 You are ordered not to disobey your elders.
 Do not disobey your elders.
 You are not to disobey your elders.
 Answer: You are asked not to disobey your elders
 Q.2. The students were listening to the teacher.
 The teacher is listened to by the students.
 The teacher listened to students.
 The teacher was listening to by the students
 The teacher was listened to by the students.
 Answer: The teacher was listened to by the students.

25.  Q.3. I have to do it.
 It is be done by me.
 It should to be done by me.
 It has to be done by me.
 It would to be done by me.
 Answer: It has to be done by me.
 Q.4. Tell the maid to prepare tea.
 You are ordered to tell the maid to prepare tea.
 You are said to tell the maid to prepare tea.
 You are advised to tell the maid to prepare tea.
 You are asked to tell the maid to prepare tea.
 Answer: You are asked to tell the maid to prepare tea.

26.  Q.5. Who stole your bike?
 Your bike was stolen by him?
 By whom was your bike stolen?
 Your bike was stolen by whom?
 By whom your bike stolen?
 Answer: By whom was your bike stolen?