Active Voice And Passive Voice : Full Explained With Examples

We’ll discuss in detail about Active Voice and Passive Voice with examples and exercise in This article. If you want to know everything related to Active Voice and Passive Voice read this article completely.

Voice

Voice is the verb’s form that expresses that the subject does something or the subject gets the action done by someone else rather than performing the action.

There are two voices of Transitive verb.

1. Active Voice

2. Passive Voice

Active Voice

If any work is done by any thing or person as the subject , then the verb is said to be in active voice.

Examples : 

• 1. I read a book.
•  2. He reads a book.

Read above examples 1 and 2 in which verbs (I and He) doing work (write and writes). Which means I and He are active in writing a letter. Hence write / writes are Active Voice verbs .

You can see clearly that In any active voice sentence the tone is very direct and clear.

Passive Voice

If any person or any thing does not work as the subject but gets the action done by other rather than acting, then the verb is said to be in passive voice.

Examples : 

• 1. A book is read by me.
•  2. A book is read by Shomesh.

Above examples are the Passive Voice of the examples of Active Voice as given above.

Note :  1. The voice is of verb. Therefore , if any verb used in Active sentence is in Active Voice then that sentence will also be in Active Voice. If  a verb used in Passive sentence is in Passive Voice then the sentence will also be in Passive Voice.

2. Transitive verbs have a passive voice, Intransitive verbs do not have a passive voice.

Read given example carefully.

Active Voice : 

Ram (Subject)   reads (Verb)  a book (Object).

Passive Voice : 

A book (Subject)  is written (Verb)  by Ram (Optional agent or Object)

Rules for Changing to Active Voice in Passive Voice​

• Step (1) : Use the object of the Active voice as the subject of the Passive voice.
• Step (2) : Use auxiliary verb according to the number and person of passive subject and tense.
• Step (3) : Write past participle form (third form) of main verb.
• Step (4) : Use preposition ‘by’.

Note : According to need you have to use other prepositions (at, to, with, etc) other than ‘by’.

• Step (5) : Use the subject of the Active voice as the object of the Passive voice.

Note : Do not use ” one, someone, nobody, people,  somebody, no one,  police, public, us, them,” etc as the object of the Passive voice.

⇒But if the meaning of sentence is not clear without these words then you can use these words as the object of the Passive voice.

Try to understand these structures :

Active Voice : 

Sub. + Verb + Object

Passive Voice :

 Subject + Auxiliary Verb(or helping verb) + Verb’s 3^rd form + by + Object

Active Voice to Passive Voice (Tense-wise Rules)​

Read these tens-wise rules carefully to change the Active to passive voice.

A. Simple Present Tense​

If the active voice sentence is of simple Present tense then according to the subject of the Passive voice use is/am/are as the helping verb.

Structures : 

Active Voice  :

Subject + 1^st  / (s or es) form of verb + Object

Passive Voice : 

Passive Subject + is/am/are + Verb’s 3^rd form + by + Passive object

Examples

• Active : Rahul and Rakesh makes a noise.
• Passive : A noise is made by Rahul and Rakesh.

•  Active : Children like toyes.
• Passive : Toys are liked by children.

• Active : Children love animals.
• Passive : Animals are loved by children.

• Active : Seema takes milk every morning.
• Passive : Milk is taken by Seema every morning.

• Active : Sita respect him.
• Passive : He is respected by Sita.

• Active : We respect her.
• Passive : She is respected.

• Active : Ramu does not help me.
• Passive : I am not helped by Ramu.

B. Present Continious Tense​

If the active voice sentence is of Present Continuous tense then according to the subject of the Passive voice use ‘is being/am being/are being’ as the helping verb.

Structures : 

Active Voice  :

Subject + is/am/are + Verb’s ing form + Object

Passive Voice : 

Passive Subject + is being/am being/are being + Verb’s 3^rd form + by + Passive object

Examples​

•  Active : She is reading a book. 
• Passive : A book is being read by her.

• Active : Radhika is singing a song.
• Passive : A song is being sung by Radhika.

• Active : The boys are watching the football match.
• Passive : The football match is being watched by the boys.

• Active : Neetu is answering the questions.
• Passive : The questions are being answered by Neetu.

• Active : I am making a pot.
• Passive : A pot is being made by me.

• Active : They are not eating the food.
• Passive : The food is not being eaten by them.

C. Present Perfect Tense​

If the active voice sentence is of Present perfect tense then according to the subject of the Passive voice use ‘has been/have been’ as the helping verb. 

Structures : 

Active Voice  :

Subject + has/have + Verb’s 3rd form + Object

Passive Voice : 

Passive Subject + has been/have been + Verb’s 3rd form + by + Passive object

Example​s

• Active : Rakesh has written this book.
• Passive : This book has been written by Rakesh.
• Active : He has washed the clothes.
• Passive : The clothes have been washed by him.
• Active : Player has thrown the ball.
• Passive : The ball has been thrown by player.
• Active : They have cut all electricity wires.
• Passive : All electricity wires have been cut.
• Active : Someone has stolen my pen.
• Passive : My pen has been stolen.
• Active : He has told a lie.
• Passive : A lie has been told by him.

Note : The ‘Present Perfect Continious Tense’ does not have Passive Voice.

D. Simple Past Tense​

If the active voice sentence is of Simple Past tense, then according to the subject of the Passive voice use ‘was/were’ as the helping verb.

Structures : 

Active Voice  :

Subject + Verb’s 2^nd form + Object

Passive Voice : 

Passive Subject + was/were + Verb’s 3rd form + by + Passive object

Examples​

• Active : She stole his book.
• Passive : His Book was stolen by her.
• Active : Arin Spoke the truth.
• Passive : The truth was spoken by Arin.
• Active : The mad dog bit the girl.
• Passive : The girl was bitten by the mad dog.
• Active : Nirala wrote this article.
• Passive : This Article was written by Nirala.
• Active : Rohit killed the bird.
• Passive : The bird was killed by Rohit.
• Active : The policeman did not catch the thief.
• Passive : The thief was not caught by the policeman.

E. Past Continuous Tense​

If the active voice sentence is of the past continuous tense, then according to the subject of the passive voice, use ‘was being/were being’ as the helping verb.

Structures :

Active Voice :

Subject + was/were + Verb’s ing form + Object 

Passive Voice :

Passive Subject + was/were + being + Verb’s 3rd form + by + Passive Object 

Examples​

• Active : She was writing a book.
• Passive : A book was being written by her. 
• Active : Rahul was showing the seeds. 
• Passive : The seeds were being sown by Rahul. 
• Active : Nitesh was watering the mango plants. 
• Passive : The mango plants were being watered by Nitesh. 
• Active : He was not writing a letter to his sister. 
• Passive : A letter was not being written by him to his sister.
• Active : The boys were making a noise. 
• Passive : A noise was being made by the boys. 
• Active : Someone was reading the book. 
• Passive : The book was being read. 

F. Past Perfect Tense​

If the active voice sentence is in the Past Perfect Tense, then according to the subject of the passive voice, use ‘had been’ as the helping verb.

Structures :

Active Voice :

Subject + had been + Verb’s 3^rd form + Object

Passive Voice :

Passive Subject + had been + Verb’s 3rd form + by + Passive Object 

Example​s

• Active : She had read a book. 
• Passive : A book had been read by her. 
• Active : Somebody had already warned his son. 
• Passive : His son had already been warned. 
• Active : They had not completed their work. 
• Passive : Their work had not been completed. 
• Active : The Indian players had won the cricket. 
• Passive : The cricket had been won by the Indian players. 
• Active : The boys had eaten all the chocolate candies before the party began. 
• Passive : All the chocolate candies had been eaten by the boys, before the party began. 
• Active : The boys had caught the thief before the police came. 
• Passive : The thief had been caught by the boys before the police came. 
• Note : The ‘Past Perfect Continious Tense’ does not have Passive Voice.

G. Simple Future Tense​

If the active voice sentence is in the Simple Future Tense, then according to the subject of the passive voice, use ‘will be/shall be’ as the helping verb.

Structures :

Active Voice :

Subject + shall/will + Verb’s 1^st form + Object.

Passive Voice :

Passive subject + shall be / will be + Verb’s 3^rd form + by + Pass Object.

Example​s

• Active : The farmer will plough the field. 
• Passive : The field will be ploughed by the farmer. 
• Active : People will remember Swami Vivekananda. 
• Passive : Swami Vivekananda will be remembered. 
• Active : She will teach you. 
• Passive : You will be taught by her. 
• Active : The farmers will reap the crops, 
• Passive : The crops will be reaped by the farmers. 
• Active : Nobody will cheat you. 
• Passive : You will not be cheated. 
• Active : Someone will read the Ramayana. 
• Passive : The Ramayana will be read.
• Note : The ‘Past Perfect Continious Tense’ does not have Passive Voice.

H. Future Perfect Tense​

If the active voice sentence is in the Future Perfect Tense, then according to the subject of the passive voice, use ‘will have been/shall have been’ as the helping verb.

Structures :

Active Voice :

Subject + shall have /will have + verb’s 3^rd form + Object

Passive Voice :

Pass subject + shall / will + have been + Veb’s 3^rd form + by + Passive Object.

Examples​

• Active : The police man will have caught the thief. 
• Passive : The thief will have been caught by the policeman. 
• Active : The shopkeeper will have closed the shop by ten o’clock. 
• Passive : The shop will have been closed by the shopkeeper by then o’clock.
• Active : They will have painted the whole wall by three o’ clock.
• Passive : The whole will have been painted by them by three o’ clock.
• Active : The students will have remembered the teaching of Mr. Mishra.
• Passive : The theaching of Mr. Mishra will have been remembered.
• Active : The central government will have electrified three hundred cities by the end of this year.
• Passive : Three hundred cities have been electrified by central government by the end of this year.
• Active : They will have built the building of school.
• Passive : The building of school will have been built.
• Note : The ‘Future Perfect Continious Tense’ does not have Passive Voice.

Special Facts​

Genearly, we can not make the passive voice of tenses ‘Present perfect continuous, Past perfect continuous, Future continuous and Future perfect continuous’ in modern english. But, according to the famous grammarian ‘Michael Swan’, we can make the passive voice of these tenses by adding ‘being’. If you want to verify this fact then you have to read book ‘Practical English Usage’ (Page number 458) written by ‘Michael Swan’, which is published by ‘Oxford University Press’.

Read These Examples​

Present Perfect Continious Tense :

• Active : She hs been reading a book for an hour.
• Passive : A book has been being read by her foe an hour.
• Active : The students have been learning music for three months.
• Passive : Music has been being learnet by the students for three months.

Past Perfect Continious Tense :

• Active : Mr. Ankit had been writing this article for three months.
• Passive : This article had been being written by Mr. Ankit for three months.
• Active : Nisha had been waiting for her mother since Monday.
• Passive : Her mother had been being waited for by Nisha since Monday. 

Future Continuous Tense :

• Active : This girl will be playing cricket.
• Passive : Cricket will be being played by this girl.
• Active : All next year his mother will be sewing the school dresses.
• Passive : All next year the school dresses will be being sewed by his mother.

Future Perfect Continuous :

• Active : They will have been making the chairs for three months.
• Passive : The chairs will have been being made for two hours.
• Active : The boys will have been preparing for the UPSC examination from 2022.
• Passive : The UPSC examination will have been being prepared by the boys from 2022.

Note : If ‘by + Optional agent (object)’ is necessary, only then mention it.

Some Other Rules For Passive Voice​

Rule-1 :

 If ‘Model Auxillary’ verbs used in the active sentence then use ‘be’ with Model Auxillary verb to make the passive voice.

Some Model Auxillary Verbs : will, shall, could, can, would, should, may, might, must, ought to, etc. 

Structures : 

Active Voice : 

Subject + Model Auxillary Verbs + Verb’s 1^st form + Object

Passive Voice : 

Passve Subject + Model Auxillary Verbs + be + Verb’s 3^rd form + by + Passive Object

Examples​

• Active : He must help the beggar.
• Passive : The beggar must be helped by him.
• Active : She can speak the French.
• Passive : The French can be spoken by her.
• Active : We should love our nation.
• Passive : Our nation should be loved.
• Active : They may win the cricket match.
• Passive : The cricket match may be won.
• Active : We must do it at once.
• Passive : It must be done at once.
• Active : Nobody could kill this mosquito.
• Passive : This mosquito could not be killed.

Rule-2 :

 If ‘Have’ is used with ‘Model Auxillary’ verbs in the active sentence then use ‘been’ to make the passive voice.

Structures : 

Active Voice : 

• Subject + Model Auxillary Verbs + have + Verb’s 1st form + Object

Passive Voice : 

• Passive Subject + Model Auxillary Verbs + have been + Verb’s 3rd form + by + Passive Object

Examples​

• Active : He could have written the book.
• Passive : The book could have been written by him.
• Active : You will have solved the sum of mathematics.
• Passive : The sum of mathematics will have been solved by you.
• Active : Rahul must have done the work.
• Passive : The work must have been done by Rahul.
• Active : We ought to have loved all humans.
• Passive : All humans ought to have been loved.

Rule-3 :

 If the Infinitive (to + verb’s 1st form ) is used in active sentence then use ‘be’ to make the passive voice.

Structures : 

Active Voice :

•  Subject + is/am/are/was/were/has/have/had + Infinitive (to + Verb’s 1st form) + Object

Passive Voice : 

• Passve Subject + is/am/are/was/were/has/have/had + to be + Verb’s 3rd form + by + Passive Object

Examples​

• Active : I am to read the Upnishad.
• Passive : The Upnishad is to be read by me.
• Active : My husband was to sell a car.
• Passive : A car was to be sold by my husband.
• Active : She has to purchase a notebook. 
• Passive : A notebook has to be purchased by her.
• Active : They had to play the basketball.
• Passive : The basketball had to be played.

Rule-4 :

 If the active sentence is start with ‘There’ then use ‘to be’ just after subject to make the passive voice.

Structures : 

Active Voice : 

There + Helping verb + Noun (Subject)+ Infinitive (to + Verb’s 1st form)

Passive Voice : 

There + Helping verb + Noun (Subject)+ to be + Verb’s 3rd form

Examples​

• Active : There is no time to write. 
• Passive : There is no time to be written.
• Active : There is nothing to eat.
• Passive : There is nothing to be eaten.
• Active : There is time to read.
• Passive : There is time to be read.

Rule-5 :

 If the active sentence is start with ‘It’ then follow the given structures and read the examples carefully.

Structures : 

Active Voice : 

It + Helping verb + Noun (Subject)+ Infinitive (to + Verb’s 1st form) + Object

Passive Voice :

 It + Helping verb + Noun (Subject) + for+ Object + to be + Verb’s 3rd form

Examples​

• Active : It is time to prepare for the annual exams.
• Passive : It is time for the annual exams to be prepared.
• Active : It is time to read a book. 
• Passive : It is time for a book to be read.
• Active : It is now time to play hockey.
• Passive : It is now time for hockey to be played.

Rule-6 :

 If the active voice is following the given structure then read the given examples carefully.

Structures : 

Active Voice :

 Subject + Verb + Noun / Pronoun + Infinitive (to + Verb’s 1st form) + Object

Examples​

• Active : I like students to respect me.
• Passive : I like to be respected.
• Active : They wants someone to tell a long story.
• Passive : They wants a long story to be told.
• Active : The father likes his son to read the novel.
• Passive : The father likes the novel to be red by his son.
• Active : He has to watch it.
• Passive : It has to be watched by him.

Rule-7 :

If the active voice is a Imperative Sentence (Order / Command feels) then follow the given structures and read the examples carefully to make passive voice.

Structures : 

Passive For Affermative Sentence :  

Let + Main word (Subject) + be +Verb’s 3rd form + Other words

Passive For Negative Sentence : 

 Let + Main word (Subject) + not be +Verb’s 3rd form + Other words

Examples​

• Active : Open the door.
• Passive : Let the door be opened.
• Active : Bring a packet of food.
• Passive : Let a packet of food be brought.
• Active : Do not touch the hot pot.
• Passive : Let the hot pot not be touched.
• Active : Do not pluck the bananas.
• Passive : Let the bananas not be plucked.
• Active : Don’t insult the elders.
• Passive : Let the elders not be insulted.
• Active : Tell him to read the newspaper.
• Passive : Let him be told to read the newspaper.

Note : 

• Do not use ‘by you’ in the passive voice of imperative sentences.

• Always use Pronoun of ‘Objective case’ after ‘Let’, do not use Pronoun of ‘Nominative case’.

• Subject ‘you’ is hidden in the imperative sentences.

Rule-8 :

 If the Imperative Sentence gives advice then follow the given structure and read the examples carefully to make passive voice.

Passive Voice : 

 Main word (Passive subject) + Should be + verb’s 3rd form

Examples​

• Active : Always help the helpless.
• Passsive : The helpless should be helped always.
• Active : Love your family.
• Passsive : Your family should be loved.
• Active : Don’t insult your elders.
• Passsive : Your elders should not be insulted.

Note : If you don’t feel Advise/Order from imperative sentence then you can use any Rule-7 or Rule-8. But remember, do not change the meaning.

Rule-9 :

 If the Imperative Sentence start or end with ‘Please and Kindly’ then follow the given structure and read the examples carefully to make passive voice.

Passive Voice : 

 You are requested to + Verb’s 1st form + Rest word except Plese or Kindly.

Examples​

• Active : Plese give me a cup of coffee.
• Passive : You are requested to give me a cup of coffee.
• Active : Stand up please.
• Passive : You are requested to stand up.
• Active : Kindly give me some food.
• Passive : You are requested to give me some food.
• Active : Please give me 100 dollars.
• Passive : you are requested to give me 100 dollars.

Note : Do not use Please and  Kindly in pasive voice, always use ‘You are requested to’.

Rule-10 :

 If the Imperative Sentence is start with ‘Let’ then follow the given structure and read the examples carefully to make passive voice.

Structures : 

Active Voice :

Let + Indirect object + Verb’s 1^st form + Direct Object.

Passive Voice :

 Let + Direct object + be + verb’s 3^rd  form + by + Indirect Object.

Note :

Direct Object : The word, indicating the object, used after the verb is called Direct Object. (Examples- letter, book, pen matter, work, etc)
Indirect Object : The word, indicating the person, used after the verb is called Indirect Object. (Examples- me, us, you, him,her, it,them, etc.)

Examples​

• Active Voice : Let us do the home work.
• Passive Voice : Let the home work be done.
• Active Voice : Let him sing a beautiful song.
• Passive Voice : Let a beautiful song be sung by him.
• Active Voice : Let me discuss this matter.
• Passive Voice : Let this matter be discussed by me.

Rule-11 :

Structures : 

Active Voice : 

1.Let us + Verb’s 1st form .
 or  2.Let us + Verb’s 1st form + together.

Passive Voice : 

1. It is suggested that + we + should +  Verb’s 1st form.
  or 2. It is suggested that + we + should +  Verb’s 1st form + together.

Examples​

• Active : Let us dance.
• Passive : It is suggested that we should dance.
• Active : Let us walk together.
• Passive : It is suggested that we should walk together.

Rule-12 :

  Generally, intransitive verbs does not have passive voice, but if Imperative sentence start with intransitive verb then it shows feeling of order/advice then to change in passive voice follow the structures given below.

Structures : 

Passive Voice : 

1. You are ordered to + intransitive verb …….. (for order)
2. You are advised to + intransitive verb …….. (for advice)

Examples​

• Active : Go there.    — (order)
• Passive : You are ordered to go there.
• Active : Work smartly.   — (advice)
• Passive : You are advised to work smartly.

Passive voice of Interrogative Sentences

We know that there are two types of interrogative sentences.

(i) Yes-No answer type

(ii) Wh- type

Yes-No answer type :

Such types of sentences are start with auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) 

Examples :1. Are you reading a note? 2. Does he write a letter? Etc

Wh- type :

Such types of sentences start with Wh- words or Interrogative words.

Examples : 1. Who has broken this cup ? 2. Why has he gone home? Etc.

 Wh- words / Interrogative words :

Why, what, when, how, who, where, which etc.

Rule-13 : (Yes-No answer type)

If the sentence starts with auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) then follow the steps given below to make the passive voice.

• Step (1) : Change ‘Yes-No answer’ form in ‘Assertive Form’.
• Step (2) : Now, change in the passive form according to general rules.
• Step (3) : Put the auxiliary verb (helping verb) of passive form, before the subject
• Step (4) :  At last, mention the question mark.

Examples

1. Active : Does she read a letter?

• Step (1) : She reads a letter.
• Step (2) : A letter is read by her.
• Step (3) and (4) : Is a letter read by her ? (Passive)

2. Active : Is a nurse examining the patients.

• Step (1) : A nurse is examining the patients.
• Step (2) : The patients are being examined by the nurse.
• Step (3) and (4) : Are the patients being examined by the nurse ?  (Passive)

• Active : Did he sell a radio?
• Step (1) : She sold a radio.
• Step (2) : A radio was sold by her.
• Step (3) and (4) : Was a radio sold by her?  (Passive)

3. Active : Have you beaten Radhika?

• Step (1) : You have beaten Radhika.
• Step (2) : He has been beaten by Radhika.
• Step (3) and (4) : Has he been beaten by Radhika?   (Passive)

4. Active : Is he to read the newspaper?

• Step (1) : He is to read the newspaper.
• Step (2) : A newspaper is to be read by him?
• Step (3)  and (4) : Is a newspaper to be read by him?

Rule-14 : (Wh- type) 

If the sentence starts with Wh- words (Interrogative words) then follow the steps given below to make the passive voice.

• Step (1) : Hide the Wh- words (Interrogative words), when making the passive voice.
• Step (2) :  Now you’ll get the ‘Yes-No answer’ form. Change it in ‘Assertive Form’.
• Step (3) :  Now, change this assertive form in the passive form, according to general rules.
• Step (3) : Put the auxiliary verb (helping verb) of passive form, before the subject
• Step (4) :  At last, mention the question mark.
• Step (5) : Add the Wh- word (Interrogative word) in the starting of resultant passive form.

Examples

Active : Why does he teach the students?  (Wh- type)

• Step (1) : Does he teach the students?  (Hide the Why)
• Step (2) : He teaches the students.   (Assertive form)
• Step (3) : The students are taught by him.  (Passive form of assertive)
• Step (4) : Are the students taught by him?   (Put the auxiliary verb in start)
• Step (5) : Why are the students taught by him?   (Final passive form)

Active : How did Rajesh solve the questions?

• Step (1) : Did Rajesh solve the questions?
• Step (2) : Rajesh solved the questions.
• Step (3) : The questions were solved by Rajesh.
• Step (4) : Were the questions solved by Rajesh?
• Step (5) : How were the questions solved by Rajesh?   (Passive)

Active : When was he playing basketball?

• Step (1) : Was he playing basketball?
• Step (2) : He was playing basketball?
• Step (3) : Basketball was being played by him. 
• Step (4) : Was basketball being played by him?
• Step (5) : When was basketball being played by him?   (Passive)

Note-1 :

If the subject is absent and the sentence starts with Wh- type words(Interrogative words), then make passive voice according to the given examples.

Examples

• Active : What does he buy?
• Passive : What is bought by him?
• Active : What has Ravi done?
• Passive : What has been done by Ravi?
• Active : How many letters do the Saroj writes?
• Passive : How many letters are written by the Saroj?
• Active : How much water has she drunk?
• Passive : How much water has been drunk by her?

Note-2 :

If the interrogative sentence starts with ‘who’, then make passive voice according to the given structures and read the examples carefully.

Structures : 

(i) By whom + Auxiliary verb (Helping verb) + subject + Verb’s 3rd form + ?

(ii) Who + Auxiliary verb (Helping verb) + subject + Verb’s 3rd form + by + ?

Examples 

Active : Who taught him maths?

Passive : (i) By whom was he taught maths?

              (ii) Who was he taught maths by?

Active : Who wrote this letter?

Passive : (i) By whom was this letter written?

              (ii) Who was this letter written by?

Active : Who has stolen his pencil?

Passive : (i) By whom has his pencil been stolen?

             (ii) Who has his pencil been stolen by?

Note-3 :

If “Which/Whom’ is in the starting of the sentence, then read given examples to make passive voice.

Examples 

Active : Which teacher taught him?

Passive : (i) By which teacher was he taught?

              (ii) Which teacher was he taught by?

Active : Whom has he killed?

Passive : Who has been killed by him?

Active : Whom do I hate most?

Passive : Who is hated most by me?

Active : Which boy does this?

Passive : (i) By which boy is this done?

              (ii) Which boy is this done by?

Rule-15 :

If the active sentence is based on the  Structure :  ‘Subject + Verb + Preposition + Object’, then to make Passive voice follow the given structure and read the given examples carefully.

Passive Voice Structure : 

Passive subject + Auxiliary verb + Verb’s 3rd form + Preposition + by + Passive object.

Examples

• Active : The boys laughed at her.
• Passive : She was laughed at by the boys.
• Active : She was searching for her friend Neetu.
• Passive : Her friend Neetu was being searched for. (by her)
• Active : Harshit arrived at the conclusion.
• Passive : The conclusion was arrived at by Harshit.

Note-1 :

Do not remove the preposition in passive voice used with ‘laughed at, looking after, enquired into, arrived at, searching for‘ etc. Use ‘By’ after the preposition.

Note-2 :

If the ‘Adverbs of Manner’ (like- badly, well, fast, hard, sincerely etc)’ are used after ‘Verb + Preposition’ in active sentences then make passive voice of such sentences like give example.

• Active : His father looks after him well.
• Passive : He is well looked after (by my mother).

Note : Use  ‘Adverbs of Manner’ before verbs in the passive voice.

Rule-16 :

In passive voice there are some other prepositions are used other than ‘by’. Read the given examples carefully.

Examples

Active : Mr.Shukla knows him.

Passive : He is known to Mr. Shukla.   (Right)

                 He is known by Mr. Shukla.   (Wrong)

Active : Ramesh Babu satisfied her.

Passive : She was satisfied with Ramesh babu.   (Right)

                 She was satisfied by Ramesh babu.      (Wrong)

Active : Her behaviour shocked to principal.

Passive : Principal was shocked at her behaviour.   (Right)

                 Principal was shocked by her behaviour.   (Wrong)

Active : Somebody displeased me.

Passive : I was displeased with.   (Right)

                 I was displeased by.       (Wrong)

For some other prepositions, read this table carefully.

Rule -17 :

If the structure of Active sentence is based on the given structure –

Subject + Verb + Object + Compliment

To convert this type of sentences in Passive Voice read the examples given below.

Examples

• Active : They elected her class monitor.
• Passive : She was elected class monitor.
• Active : We made her supervisor.
• Passive : She was made supervisor.
• Active : They appointed him manager.
• Passive : He was appointed manager.

You saw in the above sentences that the object used after the verb has been made the Subject of Passive and has been changed to passive as per the general rule of the Passive Voice. Remember that the complement is placed after the verb in passive.

Rule -18 :

If the structure of Active sentence is based on the given structure –

Subject + Main Verb Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object

To convert this type of sentences in Passive Voice follow these steps given below and read the examples.

• Step(1) : Use Direct object or Indirect object as the subject of Passive Voice.
• Step(2) : Follow the general rule of Passive voice.

Examples

Active : The maths teacher taught him maths.

Passive : (i) He was taught maths by the maths teacher.

                (ii) Maths was taught him by the maths teacher.

Active : The students of your class told him the truth.

Passive : (i) He was told the truth by the students of your class.

                (ii) The truth was told to him by the students of your class.

Active : Her father bought her a bag.

Passive : (i) She was bought a bag by her father.

                (ii) A bag was bought for her by her father.

Active : His grandfather told me stories.

Passive : (i) I was told long stories by his grandfather.

                (ii) Long stories were told me by his grandfather.

Direct Objects : Book, Pen, Letter, Novel, …… Etc.

Indirect Objects : Him, Her, Me, ……. Etc.

Note : In passive, you can use Preposition – to/for as per requirement before Passive Indirect Object, so that the meaning becomes clear. Preposition to/for also remains silent.

Rule -19 :

If the structure of Active sentence is based on the given structure –

Subject + Verb + Object + Infinitive without ‘to’/or Verb’s 1^st form

To convert this type of sentences in Passive Voice follow these steps given below and read the examples. In the above structure Use of Object may or may not remain in last.

• Step (1) : Use as the Subject of the Passive voice to the object, used in last in Active Verb.
• Step (2) : Use appropriate Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs).
• Step (3): Use Verb’s 3rd form (Past Participle).
• Step (4): Write the infinitive form ( add ‘to’ in front of the verb) of the verb used after the object.
• Step (5): Use the object, used at the end of the active voice as appropriate. But, if object is not present then do not do it .
• Step (6): Use ‘by + Passive Object’ as per requirement.

Examples

• Active: They made him laugh.
• Passive: He was made to laugh.
• Active : She saw him sing a song.
• Passive: He was seen to sing a song by her.
• Active: Rajneesh saw me run away.
• Passive: I was seen to run away by Rajneesh.
• Active : Nitesh made him weep.
• Passive : He was made to weep by Nitesh.
• Active : Teacher found the girl guilty.
• Passive : The girl was found to be guilty by teacher.
• Active : He saw Vivek watch T.V.
• Passive : Vivek was seen to watch T.V. by him.

Rule-20 :

If the Active sentence is based on the given structure –

Subject + Ask + Object + If / Whether + Clause 

or Subject + Ask + Object + Wh- words / Interrogative words + Clause

To convert this type of Active  sentences in Passive, follow these steps given below and read the examples. 

• Step(1) : Write the object, used after ‘Ask / Asks / Asked’ as the subject of passive voice.
• Step(2) : Now use appropriate Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs) + Verbs 3rd form
• Step(3) : Do not use ‘by + passive object’.
• Step(4) : Use as it is, – ‘If / whether + Clause  OR  Wh- word / Interrogative sentence + Clause

Note : (i) Ask, Asks, Asked, Enquire, Enquires, Enquired,…..etc. are known as reporting verb.

(ii) Subject + Verb + Object , is known as clause.

Examples

• Active : Raju asked me if I could kill a bird. 
• Passive : I was asked if could kill a bird. 
• Active : Krishna asked her who had beaten her. 
• Passive : She was asked who had beaten her. 
• Active : He asked Ritik whether he had taught his brother. 
• Passive : Ritik was asked whether he had taught his brother. 
• Active : Radha asked me what my school name was. 
• Passive : I was asked what my school name was. 
• Active : I asked the little boy  why he was sad. 
• Passive : The little boy was asked why he was sad. 

Rule-21 :

If the Active sentence is based on the given structure –

Subject + ask / tell / order / command / request / advise / warn + Object + infinitive (to + verbs 1st form) + other words

 To convert this type of Active  sentences in Passive, follow these steps given below and read the examples.

• Step(1) :  Write the object, used after ‘Ask / Tell / Order / Command / Request / Advise / Warn’ as the subject of passive voice.
• Step(2) : Use appropriate Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs) + Verbs 3rd form
• Step(3) : Do not use ‘by + passive object’.
• Step(4) : Use as it is, – infinitive (to + verbs 1st form) + other words

Examples

• Active : She asked Arun to switch off the T.V. 
• Passive : Arun was asked to switch off the T.V. 
• Active : The doctor advised him to take painkiller in time. 
• Passive : He was advised to take painkiller in time. 
• Active : Shanu requested her to come next day. 
• Passive : She was requested to come next day. 
• Active : She ordered him to bring a bottle of cow milk. 
• Passive : He was ordered to bring a bottle of cow milk. 
• Active : Raja forbade her to make a noise in the room. 
• Passive : She was forbidden to make a noise in the room. 

Rule-22 :

Use ‘Let’ as the main verb. Means of ‘Let’ is ‘To Allow’ in main verb.

Example

Active : He let me come. 

Passive : I was let come. 

                I was let to come. 

Rule-23 :

If the Active sentence is based on the given structure –

Subject + believe / find / claim / consider / know / report / say / think + that + clause

To convert this type of Active  sentences in Passive, follow these steps given below and read the examples.

• Step(1) : The subject which is used after ‘that’ and is the subject of the clause, write it as the subject of the passive voice.
• Step(2) : Now, use appropriate Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs) +
• Step(3) : Use the past participle form (Verbs 3rd form) of ‘believe, find, claim, consider, know, report, say, think’, etc.
• Step(4) : According to need use- “Infinitive (with ‘to’) and ‘to be’ + Noun / Adjective
• Step(5) :  Do not use ‘by + passive object’.

You can make passive of this type of sentences, according to given structure also.

Structure : It + Auxiliary verb + Verbs 3rd form that + clause

Examples

Active : He believe that the U.P. government is honest. 

Passive : The U.P. government is believed to be honest. 

        OR-  It is believed that the U.P. government is honest. 

Active : We felt that the all teachers were laborious. 

Passive : The all teachers were felt to be laborious. 

        OR-  It was felt that the all teachers were laborious.

Active : Some people know that boys grow wise early. 

Passive : Boys are known to grow wise early. 

         OR-  It is known that boys grow wise early.

Active : Every person thinks that the Indian educational system is very bad. 

Passive : The Indian educational system is thinked to be very bad. 

         OR-  It is thought that the Indian educational system is very bad.

Active : The students consider that the all teachers are wise.

Passive : The all teachers are considered to be wise. 

          OR-  It is considered that the all teachers are wise. 

Rule 24 :

If the Active sentence is based on the given structure – ‘Subject + Verb + that + clause’ and in the clause which is used after ‘that’, the verb is in Passive voice, then to convert this type of Active  sentences in Passive, follow these steps given below and read the examples.

• Step(1) : Use, Active subject + Verb.
• Step(2) : Remove, that + subject + verb
• Step(3) : Use, to be + past participle (Verbs 3rd form)

Examples

• Active : Seema wants that she should be respected.
• Passive : Seema wants to be respected. 
• Active : Shriya likes that she should not be insulted. 
• Passive : Shriya likes not to be insulted. 
• Active : The headman wants that he should be regarded in the town. 
• Passive : The headman wants to be regarded in the town. 

Rule-25 :

If the Active sentence is based on the given structure – ‘Subject + Verb + Conjunction (and) + Verb + object + other words’

To convert this type of Active  sentences in Passive,read these examples given below.

Examples

• Active : The policeman arrested the criminal and sent him to jail. 
• Passive : The criminal was arrested and (he was) sent to jail. 
• Active : The robbers looted the bank and took away seven lakh rupees. 
• Passive : The bank was looted and seven lakh rupees were taken away.
• Active : Mr. Nirala wrote the poetry book and published it. 
• Passive : The poetry book was written and (it was) published by Mr. Nirala.

Uses of Passive Voice

Rule 1: When the subject is not known, then passive voice is used.

Examples

The lazy student was failed in the examination. 

The stool and chair was sent there. 

Rule 2 : Passive voice is also used to emphasis the object.

Examples

The deer was killed by Sonu. 

This article is written by Mr. Misha. 

Rule 3 : Passive voice is also used to make the sentence polite. In this case by is not used.

Examples

All students have been passed. 

It is said that the judge will punish the thieves. 

Rule 4 : When the subject is known to everyone then passive voice is used.

Examples

English is spoken all over the state. 

Telescope was invented in 1609.

Rule 5 : Passive voice is also used in science and technical subjects. Since the object has no importance therefore ‘by + passive object’ is not used (Generally). 

Examples

Wheat is grown in U.P and Punjab. 

Methane gas is produced when sodium acetate and soda lime both are combined. 

Rules for Changing of Passive Voice to Active Voice

• Step(1) : Write the object of Passive sentence at the place of subject in Active sentence.
• Step(2) : Use verb, according to the Number, Person and Tense of active sentence.
• Step(3) : Write the subject of Passive at the place of object in Active.
• Step(4) : Remove the preposition ‘by’. Prepositions – with, to, at,… etc. can be use in Passive, so remove them.

Note : Sometimes, ‘by + object (optional agent)’ is not use in passive voice. In this case, the subject of the sentence in active voice should be, made according to the meaning of passive sentence.

Read these examples carefully to understand the change of Passive Voice to Active Voice.

Examples

• Passive : House are built by Rahul. 
• Active : Rahul build house.
• Passive : A sweet song is being sung by Manorma. 
• Active : Manorma is singing a sweet song. 
• Passive : My pencil was stolen by that boy. 
• Active : That boy stole my pencil. 
• Passive : A letter was being written by Shurbhi to her father. 
• Active : Shurbhi was writing a letter to her father.
• Passive : The basketball match had been won by them.
• Active : They had won the basketball match.
• Passive : His work will be done by me. 

More Examples :

• Active : I shall do his work. 
• Passive : A big tree has been cut by Romi. 
• Active : Romi have cut a big tree. 
• Passive : He was laughed at by these girls. 
• Active : These girls laughed at him. 
• Passive : His pens have been stolen by you. 
• Active : You have stolen his pens. 
• Passive : By whom was the Raju taught Maths. 
• Active : Who taught the Raju Maths. 
• Passive : Were he being taught by her. 
• Active : Was she teaching him. 
• Passive : Let this paragraph be written. 
• Active : Write this paragraph. 
• Passive : You was elected chairman. 
• Active : They elected you chairman. 
• Passive : It is suggested that he should sleep. 
• Active : Let him sleep. 

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