ACTIVE VOICE
AND
PASSIVE VOICE

Introduction
The term “VOICE” refers to the structure of the
sentence.
There are two types of voices in English
grammar :
Active Voice
Passive Voice

Importance of VOICES
Voice shows whether the subject (of the
sentence) acts… or is acted upon…- That is
whether the subject performs or recieves the
action of the verb.

Active Voice
In active voice sentence, the subject (one who
does action in the sentence) is clearly stated
as subject.
Structure of active voice sentence:
Subject -- Verb – Object
Active voice is less wordy.

Examples of Active Voice
People look upon Sachin Tendulkar as a
sporting icon.
Sheena wrote an essay.
He is drinking water.
In all the above sentences, the subject is given
importance rather than the object.

Passive Voice
In passive voice sentence, the object is given
more importance than the subject or the doer.
Structure of passive voice sentence:
Object -- Verb -- Subject

Examples of Passive voice
Sachin Tendulkar is looked upon as a sporting
icon by the people.
An essay is written by Sheena.
Water is being drunk by him.
NOTE:
In passive voice the verb is often followed by the
word ‘by’.

Usage of active and passive voice sentences
Active voice is used in most of the writings in
school and at work as this voice focuses
attention on the subject which brings clarity
and forcefulness to your writing.
Passive voice is used in newspaper articles.

Rules for Pronouns in active to passive conversion
Active Voice
• I
• You
• We
• They
• It
Passive Voice
• Me
• You
• Us
• Them
• It

Rules for active to passive conversion

Simple Present Tense
Active voice Passive Voice
Subject + verb + object Object + past participle + by
subject
E.g. The grocer sells fresh
vegetables.
E.g. Fresh vegetables are sold
by the grocer.

Present Continuous Tense
Active Voice Passive Voice
Subject + (is, am, are) + ing
form of verb + object
Object + (is, am, are) + being
+past participle + by subject
E.g. My boss is giving many
assignments.
E.g. Many assignments are
being given by my boss.

Present Perfect Tense
Active Voice Passive Voice
Subject + has/have + past
participle + object
Object + have/has been + by
subject
E.g. I have taken him out E.g. He has been taken out by
me

Simple Past Tense
Active Voice Passive Voice
Subject + Past Participle +
object
Object + was/were + Past
participle + by subject
E.g. He built a large house. E.g. A large house was built by
him

Past Continuous Tense
Active Voice Passive Voice
Subject + was/were + ing form
of verb+ object
Object + was/were + being +
Past Participle + by subject
E.g. She was cooking dinner E.g. Dinner was being cooked
by her.

Past Perfect Tense
Active Voice Passive Voice
Subject + had + Past Participle +
object
Object + had been + Past
Participle + by subject
E.g. She had posted the letter E.g. The letter had been posted
by her.

Simple Future Tense
Active Voice Passive Voice
Subject + will + verb + object Object + will be + Past
Participle + by subject
E.g. I will give you a present E.g. A present will be given to
you by me.

Future Perfect Tense
Active Voice Passive Voice
Subject + will/shall +have+ past
participle + object
Object + will/shall + have
been+ Past Participle + by
subject
E.g. The doctor shall have
examined ten patients by 10’o
clock
E.g. Ten patients will have been
examined by 10’o clock by the
doctor.

It’s Exercise Time Now !!!

Change the following active voice sentences to
passive voice:
1. He teaches English.
Ans. English is taught by him.
2. The child is eating bananas.
Ans. Bananas are being eaten by the child.
3. She is writing a letter.
Ans. A letter is being written by her.
4. The master punished the servant.
Ans. The servant was punished by the master.

Change the following active voice sentences to
passive voice:
5. He was writing a book.
Ans. A book was being written by him.
6. Who wrote this letter?
Ans. By whom was this letter written?
7. Somebody cooks meal every day.
Ans. Meal is cooked by someone every day.

Change the following passive voice sentences to
active voice:
1. A blue shirt was worn by him.
Ans. He wore a blue shirt.
2. May you be blessed with happiness!
Ans. May God bless you with happiness!
3. A house is being built by them.
Ans. They are building a house.
4. The job has been finished by me.
Ans. I have finished the job.

Change the following passive voice sentences to
active voice:
5. The report was sent the previous day.
Ans. I sent the report yesterday.
6. A diamond necklace was bought by her.
Ans. She bought a diamond necklace.
7. My purse had been stolen by somebody.
Ans. Somebody had stolen my purse.