VOICE

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Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng.

Ltr)

ACTIVE VOICE AND PASSIVE VOICE

Voice: Voice is that form of a verb which tells us whether the subject does something
or has something been done to it.
Ex: Ram killed a tiger (subject does something)
A tiger was killed by Ram (Something is done to a subject)
There are two types of Voice:
1. Active Voice
2. Passive Voice
Read the following sentences:
1. The teacher punished naughty boy (Active)
2. The naughty boy was punished by the teacher (Passive)
In the sentence 1, the subject (teacher) is the doer of the action; that is, the subject is
active. The verb punished is, therefore said to be the active voice.
In the sentence 2, the subject (naughty boy) is the receiver of the action, that is, the
subject is not active but passive. The verb was punished is, therefore, said to be in the passive
voice.
Active Voice: A verb is in the active voice when the person or the thing denoted by the
subject is the doer of the action.
Passive Voice: A verb is in the passive voice when the person or the thing denoted by the
subject is the receiver of the action.
Read the following sentences:
1. The hunter killed a lion.
2. The Ganga flows into the Bay of Bengal.
On the first sentence, the verb has object. So, that is a transitive verb. But, in sentence second
the verb has no object; so sentence second an intransitive verb.
Always remember: - Only transitive verbs have two voices.

RULES FOR CHANGING THE ACTIVE VOICE INTO THE PASSIVE VOICE
(i) The object of the verb in the active voice becomes the subject in the passive voice
and the subject of the verb in the active voice becomes the object in the passive
voice. (If the subject of the active voice is indefinite noun or pronoun such as:
one, someone, nobody, people, a man, a person, a boy, somebody etc., then these
noun and pronouns will not be used as object in passive voice). Sometimes i, we,
you and they also not used as object.
(ii) The third form (past participle) of the verb is always used.
Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng. Ltr)

(iii) Only transitive verb can be changed into the passive voice.
(iv) The word ‘by’ is put before the new object.
(v) The verb in the passive voice is changed according to the subject in number and
person.
(vi) Perfect continuous of all tenses and the future continues tense cannot be changed
into passive form.
(vii) If a transitive verb has two objects, either of may be made the subject in the
passive voice and the other remains unchanged.
Ex: He forgave me my fault. (Active voice)
I was forgiven for my fault by him. (Passive voice)
(viii) If active voice in is in interrogative sentence, then passive voice is also in
interrogative sentence.
RULES FOR CHANGE OF PRONOUNS
Pronouns in Active Voice Pronouns in Passive Voice
I Me
We Us
They Them
He Him
She Her
Who Whom
It It
Whose Whose
Which Which
Name Name

RULES FOR CHANGE OF VERBS


Tense Verb in Active Voice Verb in Passive Voice
Simple Present V1 + v1 Is/am/are+v3
Simple Past V2 Was/were+v3
Simple Future Shall/will+v1 Shall be/will be+v3
Present Continuous Is/am/are+v1+ing Is/am/are+being+v3
Past Continuous Was/were+v1+ing Was/were+being+v3
Present Perfect Has/have+v3 Has been/have been+v3
Past Perfect Had+v3 Had been+v3
Future Perfect Shall have/will have +v3 Shall have /will have
Modals Can, could, would, should, been+v3
may, might, must, ought to They can’t changed modals
+be+v3
Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng. Ltr)

1. SIMPLE PRESENT

Subject + helping verb (is/am/are) + main verb (v3) +by +object.


Ex: Sudha writes a story (active voice)
A story is written by Sudha (passive voice)

Ex: The peon rings the bell (active voice)


The bell is rung by the peon (passive voice)

2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Subject + is/am/are + being + v3 + by + object.

Ex: They are picking some flowers (active voice)


Some flowers are being picked by them (passive voice)

Ex: Are you writing a book (active voice)


Is a book being written by you (passive voice)

3. PRESENT PERFECT

Subject + has/have been + v3 + by + object.


Ex: I have lost my book. (active voice)
My has been lost by me (passive voice)

Ex: Have you decorated the room? (active voice)


Has the room been decorated by you? (passive voice)

4. SIMPLE PAST

Subject + was/were + v3 + by + object.

Ex: The mad dog bit the beggar. (active voice)


The beggar was bitten by the mad dog (passive voice)

Ex: I did not take food yesterday. (active voice)


Food was not taken yesterday by me. (passive voice)

5. PAST CONTINUOUS

Subject + was/were + being + V3 + by + object.

Ex: Mary was writing a letter to her brother. (active voice)


A letter was being written by Mary to her brother. (passive voice)
Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng. Ltr)

Ex: Where the farmer was sowing the seeds (active voice)
Where the seeds were being sown by the farmer. (passive voice)

6. PAST PERFECT

Subject + had been + v3 + by + object.

Ex: They had won the match. (active voice)


The match had been won by them. (passive voice)

Ex: The children had eaten all the cakes. (active voice)
The cakes had been eaten by the children (passive voice)

7. SIMPLE FUTURE

Subject + will be/shall be + v3 + by + object.

Ex: Sudha will cook the food. (active voice)


The food will be cooked by Sudha. (passive voice)

Ex: Will he sell tea? (active voice)


Will tea be sold by him. (passive voice)

8. FUTURE PERFECT

Subject + will have been/shall have been + v3 + by + object.

Ex: Deepak will have written the letter. (active voice)


The letter will have been written by Deepak. (passive voice)

Ex: Will she have found her lost book by now? (active voice)
Will her lost book have been found by her by now? (passive voice)

9. PASSIVE VOICE OF THE MODAL VERBS

Subject + modals + be + v3 + by + object.

Ex: A doctor should examine him. (active voice)


He should be examined by a doctor. (passive voice)

Ex: Deepak must send a reply. (active voice)


A reply must be sent by Deepak (passive voice)
Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng. Ltr)

10. Deletion of ‘By + Agent’


Look at the sentences:

Someone stole my pen. My pen was stolen.


Robbers looted the bank. Bank was looted.
The man will sell the house. The house will be sold.
Somebody invited you to tea. You were invited to tea.
People speak Hindi all over India. Hindi is spoken all over India.

(i) By + agent is not used when the meaning of the sentences is completed without by
+ agent. Like: People speak Hindi all over India I mean 'the speaking of Hindi'
and not the ambiguous subject people of this sentence. Therefore, by + people is
removed in passive sentence.
(ii) Active subjects such as one, someone, nobody, people, a man, a person, a boy,
someone etc. are removed in passive sentence.
(iii) I, we, you, they, etc. active subjects of passive sentence are also often removed.

Remember: Active subject is mentioned in passive sentence only when it is


important to the speaker or is needed to clarify the meaning of the sentence.

11. PASSIVE VOICE OF THE IMPERATIVE SENTENCE

For the commands:


Let + subject + be + v3 + object.

Ex: Shut the door. (active voice)


Let the door be shut. (passive voice)
Ex: Open the box.
Let the box be opened.
Ex: Switch off the fan.
Let the fan be switched off.

For the Advice


Sub+ should+be+v3

Ex: Help the poor. (active voice)


The poor should be helped. (passive voice)
Ex: Love the children.
The children should be loved.
Ex: Hear him now.
He should be heard now.
Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng. Ltr)

For please/kindly
If in active voice words like please and kindly used then in place of them use you are
requested to in passive voice.

Ex: Take this chair, please.


You are requested to take this chair.
Ex: Kindly read this letter.
You are requested to read this letter.
Ex: Please give me a pen.
You are requested to give me a pen

Other Rules:
Sentence Rule of making Imperative Rule of making Imperative sentence
Containing sentence (Active Voice) (Active Voice) to Passive Voice
Command Verb (1st Form) + Object. You are commanded to + V 1st +
Object.
Oder Verb (1st Form) + Object. You are Ordered to + V 1st + Object.
Request Verb (1st Form) + Object. You are Requested to + V 1st + Object.
Advice Verb (1st Form) + Object. You are Advised to + V 1st + Object.
Suggestions Verb (1st Form) + Object. You are Suggested to + V 1st + Object.
Warning Verb (1st Form) + Object. You are Warned not to + V 1st +
Object.
Forbidden Verb (1st Form) + Object. You are Forbidden to + V 1st + Object.

12. Passive of verb + prepositions

Look at these sentences:


Active Passive
The police enquired into the case. The case was enquired into.
The children laughed at him. He was laughed at by the children.
Your sister will look after you. You will be looked after by your sister.
The govt. will arrive at the Agreement. The agreement will be arrived at by the govt.

(i) The above active sentences are followed by into, at, after verbs which we call
prepositions.
(ii) If the active sentences contain verb + preposition / adverb particle, then that
preposition or adverb particle in its passive form is not removed.

13. CHANGE OF VOICE IN THE INFINITIVE VERB

Active Voice Passive Voice


To + v1 to + be + v3

Ex: It is time to pay the fee. It is time for the fee to be paid.
Ex: There is no shop to let. There is no shop to be let.
Ex: There is no time to lose. These is no time to be lost.
Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng. Ltr)

Ex: We have nothing to gain. Nothing to be gained.


Ex: He is a man to admire. He is a man to be admired.

14. Passive of the verb ‘to be’


If in the active voice sentences are formed such as as/is/are/was/were+to+v1then in
passive it will change such as am/is/are/was/were+ to be+v3.
Ex: I am to buy a bat. A bat is to be bought by me.
He is to write a letter. A letter is to be written by him.
They are to sell the car. The car is to be sold by them.
Abdul was to do this work. This work was to be done by Abdul.
They were to play the match. The match was to be played by them.

15. PASSIVE OF THE VERB ‘TO HAVE’

If in the active voice sentences are formed such as has/have/had+to+v1then in passive


it will change such as has/have/had + to be+v3.

Ex: Rekha has to buy a frock. A frock has to be bought by Rekha.


The boys have to write letters. Letters have to be written by the boys.
Hari has to do this work. This work has to be done by Hari.

16. TWO OBJECTS OF THE VERB

When the verbs which take two objects after them in the active voice are changed to
passive voice, one of the objects becomes the subjects in the passive voice and the other is
retained as object.

Ex: She has given me a message. (active voice)


I have been given a message by her (passive voice)
Ex: My mother told me a story. (active voice)
A story was told me by my mother. (passive voice)

17. Another Word In Place Of ‘By’

(i) At: Preposition “AT” is used with the following words: Surprised, shocked,
alarmed, amazed, offended, hurt, annoyed at (something), startled, vexed,
astonished, etc.
(ii) To: Preposition “TO” is used with the following words: known, obliged,
married, devoted, etc.
(iii) In: Preposition “IN” is used with the following words: contained, embodied,
included, interested, engulfed, etc.
(iv) With: Preposition “WITH” is used with the following words: annoyed with
(someone), pleased, satisfied, disgusted, impressed, charmed, decorated, filled,
enthroned, lined, crammed, thronged, etc.
(v) When: Preposition “WHEN” is used after the following words: smell, taste, feel,
etc.
Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng. Ltr)

Ex: The result surprise me. (active voice)


I am surprised at the result (passive voice)
Ex: I know him. (active voice)
He is known to me. (passive voice)
Ex: The news pleased him.
He was pleased with the news.
Ex: The book interested Mr. Bose.
Mr. Bose was interested in the book.
Ex: His progress satisfied me.
I was satisfied with his progress
Ex: Honey tastes Sweet.
Honey is sweet when it is tasted.
Ex: It smells good.
It is good when smelled.

DOUBLE PASSIVES:

Ex: They looted the house and took away the things.
The house was looted and the things were taken away.
Ex: She wrote the letter and posted it.
The letter was written by her and (it was) posted by her.
Ex: The police arrested the thief and sent him to jail.
The this was arrested by the police and (he was) sent to jail.

18. INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE

(i) Change helping verb “do, does” into “is, am, are” suitable to the new subject.
(ii) Change the helping verb “did” into “was, were” suitable to the new subject.
(iii) Retain the helping verbs such as: “is, am, are, was, were, have, has, and had” but
modify as suitable to the new subject.
Ex: What do you like the most? (active voice)
What is liked the most by you? (passive voice)
Ex: Does Sita write this story?
Is this story written by Sita?
Ex: Has Tom invited you?
Have you been invited by Tom?
Ex: Can we cut the tree?
Can the tree be cut?
Ex: When do they send the letter?
When is the letter sent?
Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng. Ltr)

PASSIVE VOICE OF DUMMY ‘IT’


Look at these sentences:
Ex: Years ago, people believed that the earth was flat.
Years ago, it was believed that the earth was flat.
Years ago, the earth was believed to be flat.
Ex: People felt that the officers were corrupt.
It was felt that the officers were corrupt.
The officers were felt to be corrupt.
Ex: They believed that Mr. Gupta was very rich.
It was believed that Mr. Gupta was very rich.
Mr. Gupta was believed to be very rich.
Ex: Everyone thought that the govt. was strong.
It was thought that the govt. was strong.
The govt. was thought to be strong.
Ex: People say that he is a spy.
It was said that he is a spy.
He is said to be a spy

QUASI- PASSIVE VOICE/MIDDLE VOICE

Definition: When a verb is used in active voice or form but it expresses the sense of passive
voice, it is called Quasi-Passive verb. Quasi means half or almost. This usage also called
Middle Voice.

This voice change can be done in two ways.


First:
(a)The subject of this kind of voice is not changeable.
(b)'to be verb + the complement of the verb.
(c)Then if the subject is singular, when it is and again if the subject is plural-when they are.
(d)Past participle of main verb.
Example:
AV: Rice sells cheap.
PV: Rice is cheap when it is sold.
(Analysis: here in active voice 'Rice' is unchangeable. Then we use 'to be' verb: is. Again we
use 'cheap' that is the complement of verb 'sell'. Then as the subject 'Rice' is singular, we use'
when it is'. Then we use 'sold' that is the past participle of main verb 'sell').

Active: Sub + Verb + Complement


Passive: Subject + be verb + V3 + the complement of the verb.
Or
Subject + be verb + Complement + when / if + Pronoun (it/they) + Be Verb + V3
Example:
AV: Rice sells cheap.
PV: Rice is sold cheap.
Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng. Ltr)

AV: The books read well.


PV: The books are well when they are read.
The books are read well.
AV: The moon looks beautiful.
PV: The moon is beautiful when it is looked.
The moon is looked beautiful.
AV: These Mangoes taste sweet.
PV: These mangoes are tested sweet.
These mangoes are sweet when/if they are tasted.
AV: The sun feels hot.
PV: The sun is felt hot.
The sun is hot when/if it is felt.
AV: The Jasmine smells sweet.
PV: The jasmine is smelt sweet.
The jasmine is sweet when/if it is smelt.
AV: The broken stone feels rough.
PV: The broken stone is felt rough.
The broken stone is rough when/if it is felt.
AV: The story reads funny.
PV: The story is read funny.
The story is funny when/if it is read.
If after the subject, the 'to be' verb (am, is, are, was, were) + the past participle of the verb are
present, we can change this kind of active voice into passive by the following way.

Second:
Active: Subject + Be Verb + V1 + ing.
Passive: Subject + be verb + being + V3
Example:
AV: The house is building.
PV: The house is being built.
AV: The cows are milking.
PV: The cows are being milked.
AV: The followers are smiling.
PV: The followers are being smiled.
AV: The magazine is printing.
PV: The magazine is being printed.
AV: Oranges are selling.
PV: Oranges are being sold.
AV: The Guns are firing.
PV: The guns are being fired.
Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng. Ltr)

Voice with “Cognate object”


Verbs that atke cognate objects: run, think, dance, sleep, dream, live, smile, die, laugh, singh,
fight etc.
Active Structure: Subject + verb + Cognate Object.
Passive Structure: Cognate Object + Helping Verb + VPP + by + Subject.
Examples:
AV: He ran a race.
PV: A race was run by him.
AV: He thinks of a great thought.
PV: A great thought is thought of by him.
AV: The boy ran a race.
PV: A race was run by the boy.
AV: Mamta dreamt a sweet dream.
PV: A sweet dream was dreamt by Mamta.

PASSIVE VOICE OF ‘LET’

Here ‘let’ is used as a Main Verb

AV: He must let him go to market.


PV: He must be let go to market by him.
AV: She lets me go wherever I want to.
PV: I am let go by her wherever I want to.
AV: I will not let my brother know about it.
PV: My brother will not be let know about it by me.
AV: Could you let me take this book?
PV: Could I be let take this book by you?
AV: He lets me go.
PV: I am let go by him.
AV: She doesn't let me read the book.
PV: I am not let read the book by her.
AV: I won't let you do it.
PV: You won't be let do it by me.
AV: You should let him go.
PV: He should be let go by you.
AV: I can let you play. PV: You can be let play by me.
AV: He should have let you do what you wanted to.
PV: You should have been let do by him what you wanted to.
AV: He lets me go home.
PV: I am let go home by him.
AV: She is not letting me study.
PV: I am not being let study by her.
AV: They are letting Rahul work with Ram.
PV: Rahul is being let work with Ram by them.
AV: He shouldn't have let you play all the time.
Practical English Grammar By: Mohan Paraseth, B.A., B.Th., B.Ed., M.Div., MSW., M.A (Eng. Ltr)

PV: You shouldn't have been let play all the time by him.
AV: How often do you let him go to the park?
PV: How often is he let go to the park by you?
AV: My brother never let me visit the Taj.
PV: I am never let visit the Taj by my brother.
AV: Why do you not let him come home?
PV: Why is he not let come home by you?

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