Compare these two active and passive voice sentences.

1. Rama beats Harry.

2. Harry is beaten by Rama.

It will be seen that these two sentences express the same meaning.

But in sentence 1, the form of the Verb shows that the person denoted by the subject does something.

• Rama (the person denoted by the subject) does something.

• The Vero beats is said to be in the Active Voice.

In sentence 2, the form of the Verb shows that something is done to the person denoted by the Subject.

• Something is done to Hari (the person denoted by the Subject )

• The Verb beaten is said to be in the Passive Voice

What is active voice?

A verb is in the Active Voice when its form shows (as in sentence 1) that the person or thing denoted by
the Subject does something ; or, in other words, is the doer of the action.

The Active Voice is so called because the person denoted by the Subject acts.

What is Passive voice?

A Verb is in the Passive Voice when its form shows (as in sentence 2) that something is done to the
person or thing denoted by the Subject.

The Passive Voice is so called because the person or thing denoted by the Subject is not active but
passive, that is, suffers or receives some action.

What is Voice?
Voice is that form of a Verb which shows whether what is denoted by the Subject does something or has
something done to it.

It will be noticed that when the Verb is changed from the Active Voice to the Passive Voice, the Object of
the Transitive Verb in the Active Voice becomes the subject of the Verb in the Passive Voice.

Thus in sentence 1, Ayesha, which is the object of loves in the Active Voice, becomes the Subject of is
loved in the Passive Voice.
Since the Object of a verb in the active voice becomes the Subject of the passive form, it follows that
only Transitive Verbs can be used in the Passive Voice, because an Intransitive Verb has no Object.

The passive voice is formed with the suitable tense of the verb be followed by the past participle. Study
this table:

Tense (or Modal + base) Active Voice Passive Voice

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

Students must know when to use active voice and when to use passive voice. The ability to change the
active voice into passive voice and vice versa is not sufficient. When to use active voice? When to use
Passive voice?

When to use active voice?

The Active Voice is used when the agent (i.e. doer of the action) is to be made prominent ; the Passive,
when the person or thing acted upon is to be made prominent.

When to use Passive voice?

The Passive is, therefore. generally preferred when the active form would involve the use of an
indefinite or vague pronoun or noun (somebody they people. we. etc.) as subject : that is, when we do
not know the agent or when it is clear enough who the agent is.

• My pen has been stolen. (Somebody has stolen my pen )

• I was asked my name. (They asked me my names)
• English IS spoken ail over the world. (People speak English over the world)
• I have been invited to the party (Someone has invited me to the party )
• All orders be executed promptly (we will execute all orders promptly.)
In such cases the agent with by is usually avoided.

Note, however, that, as in the examples given earlier, the by-phrase cannot be avoided where the agent
has some importance and is necessary to complete the sense.

Exercises for Active and Passive voice

Note the change from the Active Voice to the Passive Voice in the following sentences :

Solved exercises for active and passive

Active voice Passive Voice
1. Ayesha loves Ali. 1. Ali is loved by Ayesha.
2. The mason is building the wall. 2. The wall is being built by the meson.
3. The peon opened the gate. 3. The gate was opened by the peon.
4. Some boys were helping the 4. The wounded man was being helped by the
wounded man. 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 7. Why was such a letter written by your brother.
letter?

Practice Exercises for active and passive 1

1. The cat kitted the mouse.
2. We compelled the enemy to surrender.
3. The boy was bitten by a dog.
4. The thief was caught.
5. The boy made a kite.
6. The ship was burned.
7. The young man made a disturbance at the meeting.
8. The captive was bound to a tree.
9. The bird was killed by a cruel boy.
10. The sudden noise frightened the horse.
11. He is loved by all.
12. The exhibition was opened by the Governor.
13. I see a dark cloud.
14. His command was promptly obeyed.
15. Some of the cargo had been damaged by the sea water.
 16. Nothing will be gained by hurry.
17. The dog chased the sheep.
18. This letter was posted last night.
19. The field is ploughed.
20. The dog was teased by the boy.
21. The cat drank all the milk.
22. A stone struck me on the head.
23. The old gentleman takes snuff.
24. The money was lost.
25. The letter has just been posted.

Practice Exercises for active and passive 2

1. The cat killed the mouse.
2. The man cut down the tree.
3. Columbus discovered America
4. His teacher praised.
5. The boy teased the dog.
6. The syce feeds the horse every day.
7. The police arrested him.
8. Rama was making a kite.
9. The boy caught the ball.
10. My father will write a letter.
11. I will conquer him.
12. He kept me waiting.
13. The hunter shot the lion.
14. Hart opened the door.
15. A policeman caught the thief.
16. Sohrab threw the ball.
17. He scored twenty runs.
18. Your behavior vexes.
19. He made a remarkable discovery.
20. Everyone loves him.
21. My cousin has drawn this picture.
22. We expect good news.
23. The farmer gathers the harvest.
24. His own brother swindled him.
25. The recitation pleased the inspector.
26. Somebody has put out the light.
27. The enemy have defeated our army.
28. I have sold my bicycle.
Practice Exercises for active and passive 3
1. We saw you and him.
2. They asked me my name.
3. We refused them admission.
4. I bought the baby a doll.
5. They found him guilty of murder.
6. A thunderstorm often turns milk sour.
7. You cannot pump the ocean dry.
8. He keeps me waiting.
9. They painted the house red.
10. He told me to leave the room.
11. He promised me a present.
12. I shall order the carriage.
13. The boy is climbing the cliff.
14. One may accomplish many things by a little effort.
15. I am watching you very carefully.

Practice Exercises for active and passive 4

1. He was praised by his father.
2. The first railway was built by George Stephenson.
3. The horse was frightened by the noise.
4. Not a word was spoken by Latif.
5. The teacher was pleased with the boy's work.
6. He was taken to the hospital by his friends.
7. The town was destroyed by an earthquake
8. The road was lined With people.
9. The President was welcomed by the people.
10. Shakuntala was written by Kalidas.
11. The building was damaged by the fire.