Active and Passive Voice Rules
Definition of Voice
Voice is a term used to describe whether a verb is active or passive.
Active Voice
If the subject is performing the action, then the verb is said to be in the active voice. In simple terms the active voice indicates that the subject is performing the action.
Example - (Subject) + (verb) + (object).
Sameer wrote a letter.
Curiosity killed the cat
The boy tripped while running.
Passive Voice
If the subject is having the action done to it, then the verb is said to be in the passive voice. In simple terms the passive voice indicates that the action of the verb is being performed upon the subject.
Example - (Object) + (auxiliary verb) + (past participle) + (by subject).
A letter was written by Sameer.
The Sheriff was shot .
A knife was used to commit the murder.
Formation of Passive voice to active voice
Only transitive verbs (verbs that take direct object) can be used in the passive voice.
When an active verb is changed into the passive, the direct object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb.
Active Voice: Pooja delivered a wonderful speech.
Passive Voice:A wonderful speech was delivered by Pooja
Rules to convert active to passive voice.
1. Identify the subject, the verb and the object: S+V+O
2. Change the object into subject
3. Put the suitable helping verb or auxiliary verb
4. Change the verb into past participle of the verb
5. Add the preposition "by“
6. Change the subject into object
Examples
Active Voice Passive Voice
I keep the butter in the fridge. The butter is kept in the fridge.
Mohan is keeping my house tidy. My house is kept tidy by Mohan.
I have kept all your books. All your books are kept by me.
Mary kept her schedule meticulously. Mary’s schedule was kept meticulously.
Active and Passive Voice Rules
Definition of Voice
Voice is a term used to describe whether a verb is active or passive.
Active Voice
If the subject is performing the action, then the verb is said to be in the active voice. In simple terms the active voice indicates that the subject is performing the action.
Example - (Subject) + (verb) + (object).
Sameer wrote a letter.
Curiosity killed the cat
The boy tripped while running.
Passive Voice
If the subject is having the action done to it, then the verb is said to be in the passive voice. In simple terms the passive voice indicates that the action of the verb is being performed upon the subject.
Example - (Object) + (auxiliary verb) + (past participle) + (by subject).
A letter was written by Sameer.
The Sheriff was shot .
A knife was used to commit the murder.
Formation of Passive voice to active voice
Only transitive verbs (verbs that take direct object) can be used in the passive voice.
When an active verb is changed into the passive, the direct object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb.
Active Voice: Pooja delivered a wonderful speech.
Passive Voice:A wonderful speech was delivered by Pooja
Rules to convert active to passive voice.
1. Identify the subject, the verb and the object: S+V+O
2. Change the object into subject
3. Put the suitable helping verb or auxiliary verb
4. Change the verb into past participle of the verb
5. Add the preposition "by“
6. Change the subject into object
Examples
Active Voice Passive Voice
I keep the butter in the fridge. The butter is kept in the fridge.
Mohan is keeping my house tidy. My house is kept tidy by Mohan.
I have kept all your books. All your books are kept by me.
Mary kept her schedule meticulously. Mary’s schedule was kept meticulously.