Voice

Voice (Active and Passive Voice) – Complete Notes

Voice is the form of a verb that shows whether the subject performs the action or receives it.

Types of Voice

1. Active Voice

Formula: Subject + Verb + Object

Ram writes a letter.

2. Passive Voice

Formula: Object + Helping Verb + Past Participle (V3) + by + Subject

A letter is written by Ram.

Steps to Change Active into Passive

1. Find the Subject, Verb and Object.
2. Make the Object the new Subject.
3. Select the correct helping verb according to the tense.
4. Change the main verb into its Past Participle (V3).
5. Add by + Subject when needed.

Tense-wise Rules

Tense	Active	Passive
Simple Present	V1	is/am/are + V3
Present Continuous	is/am/are + V-ing	is/am/are + being + V3
Present Perfect	has/have + V3	has/have + been + V3
Simple Past	V2	was/were + V3
Past Continuous	was/were + V-ing	was/were + being + V3
Past Perfect	had + V3	had been + V3
Simple Future	will + V1	will + be + V3
Modal Verbs	Modal + V1	Modal + be + V3

Solved Examples

• Ram reads a newspaper.
  ➡ A newspaper is read by Ram.
• She is singing a song.
  ➡ A song is being sung by her.
• They have completed the project.
  ➡ The project has been completed by them.
• The boy kicked the ball.
  ➡ The ball was kicked by the boy.
• We can solve the problem.
  ➡ The problem can be solved by us.

Important Points

• Only transitive verbs can be changed into passive voice.
• The main verb always changes into V3.
• The helping verb depends on the tense.
• Use "by" only when the doer is important.

Practice Exercise

1. She writes a poem.
2. The teacher praised the student.
3. They will finish the work.
4. Open the door.
5. Did Ram write the letter?

Answers

1. A poem is written by her.
2. The student was praised by the teacher.
3. The work will be finished by them.
4. Let the door be opened.
5. Was the letter written by Ram?

Why Do We Use Passive Voice?

Although the Active Voice is generally preferred because it is direct and clear, there are many situations where the Passive Voice is more suitable. Passive Voice focuses on the action or the receiver of the action rather than the person who performs it.

1. When the Doer is Unknown

Sometimes we do not know who performed the action.

Active Voice	Passive Voice
Someone has stolen my bicycle.	My bicycle has been stolen.
Someone broke the window.	The window was broken.

2. When the Doer is Unimportant

The action is more important than the person doing it.

Active	Passive
People speak English all over the world.	English is spoken all over the world.
People grow rice in this area.	Rice is grown in this area.

3. In Scientific Writing

Scientists generally use Passive Voice because they focus on the experiment rather than the person performing it.

• The solution was heated to 100°C.
• The mixture was stirred carefully.
• The experiment was conducted in the laboratory.

4. In News Reports

• The bridge was inaugurated yesterday.
• Five people were injured in the accident.
• A new policy was announced by the government.

5. In Official Notices

• The examination will be held on Monday.
• The results will be declared next week.
• Applications are invited from eligible candidates.

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Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Before changing a sentence into Passive Voice, it is essential to identify whether the verb is Transitive or Intransitive.

Transitive Verb

A transitive verb always has an object. Since there is an object, Passive Voice is possible.

Sentence	Object	Passive Possible?
Ram eats an apple.	an apple	Yes
She wrote a letter.	a letter	Yes
The boy kicked the ball.	the ball	Yes

Intransitive Verb

An intransitive verb has no object. Therefore, Passive Voice cannot be formed.

Sentence	Object	Passive Possible?
He sleeps.	No Object	No
The baby cried.	No Object	No
Birds fly.	No Object	No

Important Exam Point

Only Transitive Verbs can be changed into Passive Voice because Passive Voice requires an object. If there is no object, Passive Voice is impossible.

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Pronoun Changes in Passive Voice

Subject Form	Object Form
I	Me
We	Us
You	You
He	Him
She	Her
They	Them
Who	Whom

Examples

• She helped me.
  Passive: I was helped by her.
• They called him.
  Passive: He was called by them.
• I invited her.
  Passive: She was invited by me.
• We praised them.
  Passive: They were praised by us.

Quick Tip:

While changing Active Voice into Passive Voice, remember that the Subject becomes the Object and the Object becomes the Subject. Always use the correct object form of pronouns after by.

Voice Change in Present Tenses

The Present Tenses are the most frequently used tenses in English grammar. While changing Active Voice into Passive Voice, remember that the helping verb changes according to the tense, but the main verb always changes into its Past Participle (V³).

Golden Rule:

Object + Suitable Helping Verb + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject

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1. Simple Present Tense

Active Voice Formula

Subject + Verb (V¹/V¹ + s/es) + Object

Passive Voice Formula

Object + is/am/are + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject

Step-by-Step Example

Active: Ram writes a letter.

1. Subject → Ram
2. Verb → writes
3. Object → a letter
4. Object becomes Subject.
5. Use is because "letter" is singular.
6. Change "write" into "written".
7. Add "by Ram".

Passive:
A letter is written by Ram.

More Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
The teacher teaches English.	English is taught by the teacher.
She sings a song.	A song is sung by her.
The gardener waters the plants.	The plants are watered by the gardener.
They clean the classroom.	The classroom is cleaned by them.
Children play cricket.	Cricket is played by children.

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2. Present Continuous Tense

Active Voice Formula

Subject + is/am/are + Verb-ing + Object

Passive Voice Formula

Object + is/am/are + being + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject

Step-by-Step Example

Active: She is reading a book.

1. Object → a book
2. Use helping verb is.
3. Add being.
4. Change "read" into "read".
5. Add "by her".

Passive:
A book is being read by her.

Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
They are repairing the road.	The road is being repaired by them.
The mechanic is fixing the car.	The car is being fixed by the mechanic.
Students are writing the answers.	The answers are being written by the students.
Mother is cooking dinner.	Dinner is being cooked by Mother.

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3. Present Perfect Tense

Active Voice Formula

Subject + has/have + Past Participle (V³) + Object

Passive Voice Formula

Object + has/have + been + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject

Step-by-Step Example

Active: Ram has completed the work.

1. Object → the work
2. Helping verb → has
3. Add been.
4. Main verb → completed.
5. Add "by Ram".

Passive:
The work has been completed by Ram.

Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
They have finished the project.	The project has been finished by them.
She has written a story.	A story has been written by her.
The company has launched a new product.	A new product has been launched by the company.
We have solved the problem.	The problem has been solved by us.

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Common Mistakes in Present Tenses

Incorrect	Correct
A letter is wrote by Ram.	A letter is written by Ram.
The work has completed.	The work has been completed.
The room is cleaning.	The room is being cleaned.
English is teach by him.	English is taught by him.

Exam Tip:

Always remember the three important words for Present Tenses:

• Simple Present → is / am / are + V³
• Present Continuous → is / am / are + being + V³
• Present Perfect → has / have + been + V³

If you remember these three formulas, changing the voice becomes much easier.

Voice Change in Past Tenses

The Past Tenses describe actions that happened in the past. While changing these sentences into Passive Voice, the tense of the sentence must remain unchanged. Only the structure changes.

Remember:

✔ The Object becomes the Subject.
✔ The Main Verb changes into its Past Participle (V³).
✔ The Helping Verb changes according to the tense.
✔ Add "by + Subject" only when necessary.

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1. Simple Past Tense

Active Voice Formula

Subject + Verb (V²) + Object

Passive Voice Formula

Object + was / were + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject

Step-by-Step Example

Active: The boy kicked the ball.

1. Subject → The boy
2. Verb → kicked
3. Object → the ball
4. Object becomes Subject.
5. Use was because "ball" is singular.
6. Verb becomes kicked (V³).
7. Add by the boy.

Passive:
The ball was kicked by the boy.

Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
She wrote a letter.	A letter was written by her.
The police arrested the thief.	The thief was arrested by the police.
They built a bridge.	A bridge was built by them.
The doctor treated the patient.	The patient was treated by the doctor.
We cleaned the classroom.	The classroom was cleaned by us.

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2. Past Continuous Tense

Active Voice Formula

Subject + was / were + Verb-ing + Object

Passive Voice Formula

Object + was / were + being + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject

Example

Active: The carpenter was making a chair.

Passive:
A chair was being made by the carpenter.

Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
She was reading a novel.	A novel was being read by her.
They were repairing the road.	The road was being repaired by them.
The students were preparing charts.	Charts were being prepared by the students.
Mother was cooking dinner.	Dinner was being cooked by Mother.

Important:

Past Continuous Passive always contains the word "being".

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3. Past Perfect Tense

Active Voice Formula

Subject + had + Past Participle (V³) + Object

Passive Voice Formula

Object + had been + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject

Example

Active: He had finished the work.

Passive:
The work had been finished by him.

Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
She had completed the project.	The project had been completed by her.
They had solved the problem.	The problem had been solved by them.
The teacher had explained the lesson.	The lesson had been explained by the teacher.
We had planted many trees.	Many trees had been planted by us.

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Common Mistakes in Past Tenses

Incorrect	Correct
The letter was wrote.	The letter was written.
The room was cleaning.	The room was being cleaned.
The work had finished.	The work had been finished.
The thief arrested by police.	The thief was arrested by the police.

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Practice Exercise

1. The teacher checked the notebooks.
2. They were painting the wall.
3. She had written a poem.
4. The farmer harvested the crop.
5. We had completed the assignment.

Answers

1. The notebooks were checked by the teacher.
2. The wall was being painted by them.
3. A poem had been written by her.
4. The crop was harvested by the farmer.
5. The assignment had been completed by us.

Quick Revision

• Simple Past → was / were + V³
• Past Continuous → was / were + being + V³
• Past Perfect → had been + V³

Remember these three formulas to change any Past Tense sentence into Passive Voice easily.

Voice Change in Future Tenses and Modal Verbs

Future Tenses describe actions that will happen in the future. While changing the voice, the tense of the sentence remains unchanged. Only the structure of the sentence changes.

Golden Rule

Object + Helping Verb + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject

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1. Simple Future Tense

Active Voice Formula

Subject + will / shall + Verb (V¹) + Object

Passive Voice Formula

Object + will / shall + be + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject

Solved Example

Active: They will build a bridge.

Passive:
A bridge will be built by them.

More Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
The teacher will explain the lesson.	The lesson will be explained by the teacher.
She will write a novel.	A novel will be written by her.
The company will launch a new product.	A new product will be launched by the company.
We will complete the work.	The work will be completed by us.

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2. Future Perfect Tense

Active Voice Formula

Subject + will have + Past Participle (V³) + Object

Passive Voice Formula

Object + will have been + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject

Example

Active: She will have completed the project.

Passive:
The project will have been completed by her.

Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
They will have finished the work.	The work will have been finished by them.
We will have solved the problem.	The problem will have been solved by us.
The engineer will have completed the bridge.	The bridge will have been completed by the engineer.

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3. Voice of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs include: can, could, may, might, must, should, would, ought to, need, dare.

Active Voice Formula

Subject + Modal + Verb (V¹) + Object

Passive Voice Formula

Object + Modal + be + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject

Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
You can solve the problem.	The problem can be solved by you.
We must obey the rules.	The rules must be obeyed by us.
She may invite me.	I may be invited by her.
They should complete the project.	The project should be completed by them.
Students ought to respect teachers.	Teachers ought to be respected by students.

Important Rule

After every Modal Verb in Passive Voice, always use: be + Past Participle (V³).

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4. Voice of Imperative Sentences

Imperative sentences express commands, requests, advice, instructions, or suggestions.

General Rule

Let + Object + be + Past Participle (V³)

Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
Open the door.	Let the door be opened.
Close the window.	Let the window be closed.
Write your name.	Let your name be written.
Help the poor.	Let the poor be helped.
Keep the room clean.	Let the room be kept clean.

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5. Negative Imperative Sentences

Negative imperative sentences begin with Do not or Don't.

Rule

Let not + Object + be + Past Participle (V³)

Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
Do not waste time.	Let not time be wasted.
Don't tell a lie.	Let not a lie be told.
Do not pluck flowers.	Let not flowers be plucked.
Don't waste water.	Let not water be wasted.

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Quick Revision

• Simple Future → will/shall + be + V³
• Future Perfect → will have been + V³
• Modal Verbs → Modal + be + V³
• Imperative → Let + Object + be + V³
• Negative Imperative → Let not + Object + be + V³

Board Examination Tips

1. Always identify the tense before changing the voice.
2. Find the object first.
3. Convert the main verb into Past Participle (V³).
4. Use the correct helping verb.
5. Add by + Subject only if necessary.
6. Maintain the original meaning of the sentence.
7. Do not change the tense of the sentence.

Voice of Interrogative Sentences

An Interrogative Sentence is a sentence that asks a question. While changing the voice, the question form must remain unchanged.

Golden Rule

Helping Verb + Object + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject + ?

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1. Yes/No Questions

Simple Present

Active Voice Formula

Do / Does + Subject + Verb (V¹) + Object?

Passive Voice Formula

Is / Am / Are + Object + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject?

Active Voice	Passive Voice
Does Ram write a letter?	Is a letter written by Ram?
Do they clean the room?	Is the room cleaned by them?

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Simple Past

Did + Subject + Verb (V¹) + Object?

Passive

Was / Were + Object + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject?

Active	Passive
Did she write the letter?	Was the letter written by her?
Did they complete the work?	Was the work completed by them?

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Present Perfect

Active	Passive
Has she completed the work?	Has the work been completed by her?
Have they solved the problem?	Has the problem been solved by them?

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Voice of WH-Questions

WH-Questions begin with words like Who, Whom, What, Which, Why, When, Where, How.

Rule

WH-word + Helping Verb + Object + Past Participle (V³) + by + Subject?

Solved Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
Who wrote this book?	By whom was this book written?
Who teaches you English?	By whom are you taught English?
Who painted this picture?	By whom was this picture painted?
Why did he break the glass?	Why was the glass broken by him?
When will they announce the result?	When will the result be announced by them?

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Sentences with Two Objects

Some verbs take two objects:

• Direct Object
• Indirect Object

Examples of such verbs are: give, send, offer, teach, tell, show, lend, promise, award, pay.

Either object can become the subject in Passive Voice.

Example 1

Active:

The teacher gave me a prize.

Passive 1

I was given a prize by the teacher.

Passive 2

A prize was given to me by the teacher.

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Example 2

Active: The manager offered him a job.

Passive 1

He was offered a job by the manager.

Passive 2

A job was offered to him by the manager.

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Example 3

Active: Mother told us a story.

Passive 1

Us were told a story by Mother.

Correct Form

We were told a story by Mother.

Passive 2

A story was told to us by Mother.

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When "By" is Omitted

Sometimes the doer is unknown or unnecessary. In such cases, "by + subject" is omitted.

Active Voice	Passive Voice
Someone stole my purse.	My purse was stolen.
People speak English worldwide.	English is spoken worldwide.
Someone has broken the window.	The window has been broken.

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Common Errors

Incorrect	Correct
Who was this book written?	By whom was this book written?
Us were given a prize.	We were given a prize.
The work completed by him.	The work was completed by him.
The project has completed.	The project has been completed.

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Exam Tips

• Never change the tense while changing the voice.
• Always use the Past Participle (V³).
• Identify the object before changing the sentence.
• Use "By whom" instead of "Who" in Passive Voice when the doer is asked.
• Do not use "by" if the doer is unknown or unnecessary.
• Sentences with two objects can have two correct passive forms.
• Maintain the original meaning of the sentence.

Voice (Active & Passive Voice) – Part 6

Change of Voice with Modal Auxiliaries

Modal auxiliaries are helping verbs that express ability, permission, possibility, obligation, advice, necessity, etc. When changing the voice of a sentence containing a modal verb, the modal remains unchanged.

Structure

Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject + Modal + Verb (V1) + Object	Object + Modal + be + V3 + by + Subject

Common Modal Verbs

• Can
• Could
• May
• Might
• Must
• Should
• Would
• Will
• Shall
• Ought to
• Need not
• Have to
• Has to
• Had to

Examples

1. Active: She can solve the problem.

Step 1: Object → the problem
Step 2: Modal → can
Step 3: be
Step 4: solved (V3)
Step 5: by her

Passive: The problem can be solved by her.

2. Active: They should obey the rules.

Passive: The rules should be obeyed by them.

3. Active: We must complete the work.

Passive: The work must be completed by us.

4. Active: You may enter the room.

Passive: The room may be entered by you.

5. Active: He will finish the project.

Passive: The project will be finished by him.

6. Active: I have to write the report.

Passive: The report has to be written by me.

7. Active: She had to clean the house.

Passive: The house had to be cleaned by her.

Rules

• Do not change the modal verb.
• Always use be after the modal.
• Use the Past Participle (V3).
• Object becomes the Subject.
• Subject becomes the Object.
• Add "by" only when necessary.

Formula:

Subject + Modal + V1 + Object

⬇

Object + Modal + be + V3 + by + Subject

Solved Exercise

Active Voice	Passive Voice
He can lift the box.	The box can be lifted by him.
She should wash the clothes.	The clothes should be washed by her.
They may invite us.	We may be invited by them.
We must protect nature.	Nature must be protected by us.
You will finish the work.	The work will be finished by you.
I have to submit the form.	The form has to be submitted by me.
He had to repair the machine.	The machine had to be repaired by him.
Students should follow the rules.	The rules should be followed by students.
She could answer the question.	The question could be answered by her.
They might complete the task.	The task might be completed by them.

Practice Questions

1. He can drive the car.
2. She should complete the assignment.
3. We must obey traffic rules.
4. They may cancel the match.
5. I will write the letter.
6. You have to clean the room.
7. She had to prepare dinner.
8. They could solve the puzzle.
9. We shall finish the work.
10. The teacher will explain the lesson.

Answer Key

1. The car can be driven by him.
2. The assignment should be completed by her.
3. Traffic rules must be obeyed by us.
4. The match may be cancelled by them.
5. The letter will be written by me.
6. The room has to be cleaned by you.
7. Dinner had to be prepared by her.
8. The puzzle could be solved by them.
9. The work shall be finished by us.
10. The lesson will be explained by the teacher.

Key Point:

Whenever a sentence contains a modal auxiliary, simply insert be after the modal and convert the main verb into its Past Participle (V3).