Active voice passive voice with solved exercises

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

Compare: - 1. Rama helps Hari.

        2. Hari is helped 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 Verb helps 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 helped is said to be in the Passive Voice.

Definition: 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.

Definition: 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.

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

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

Active Voice

  1. Sita loves Savitri. 

2. The mason is building the wall. 

3. The peon opened the gate. 

4. Some boys were helping the wounded man.

5. He will finish the work in fortnight.  

6. Who did this?

7. Why did your brother write such a letter?

Passive Voice

1. Savitri is loved by Sita.

2. The wall is being built by the mason.

3. The gate was opened by the peon.

4. The wounded man was being helped by some boys.

 5. The work will be finished by him in a fortnight.

6. By whom was this done?

7. Why was such a letter written by your brother?

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, Savitri 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 Simple present  -- take, takes -- am taken, is taken, are taken.

Present continuous -- am taking, is taking, are taking -- am being taken, is being taken, are being taken

Present perfect -- has taken, have taken -- has been taken, have been taken

Simple past -- took -- was taken, were taken

Past continuous -- was taking, were taking -- was being taken, were being taken

Past perfect -- had taken -- had been taken Simple future -- will take, shall take -- will be taken, shall be taken Can / may / must, etc. + base -- can take, must take -- can be taken must be taken

Students must know when to use the Active Voice and when Co use the Passive: the ability to change the Active Voice into the Passive and vice versa is not sufficient.

The Active Voice is used when the agent (i.e., doer of the action)  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 name.)

English is spoken all over the world. (People speak English all over the world.)

I have been invited to the party. (Someone has invited me to the party.)

We will execute all orders promptly. (All orders will be executed promptly.)

In such cases the agent with by is usually avoided.

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

When verbs that take both a direct and an indirect object in the Active Voice are changed to the Passive, either object may become the subject of the Passive verb, while the other is retained.

Active -- Passive The guard refused him admittance. -- Admittance was refused to him by the ground., He was refused admittance by the guard.

Mr. Krishnaji teaches us grammar. -- Grammar is taught to us by Mr Krishnaji., We are taught grammar by Mr Krishnaji.

The manager will give you a ticket. -- A ticket will be given to you by the manager. You will be given a ticket by the manager.

Who taught you French? 

By whom was French taught to you?

Who were you taught French by?

By whom were you taught French?

He handed her a chair. -- A chair was handed to her., She was handed a chair.

An indirect object denotes the person to whom or for whom some-: thing is given or done, while a direct object usually denotes a thing. In cases like the above, it is probably more usual for passive constructions to begin with the person.

Note that we use with (not by) to talk about an instrument used by the agent. Compare: The dog was hit with a stick. (Active Voice: Somebody hit the dog with a stick.) The dog was hit by a boy. (Active Voice: A boy hit the dog.)

There are a few Transitive verbs which, even in an Active form, are sometimes used in a Passive sense; as. These mangoes taste sour (i.e., are sour when they are tasted). The rose smells sweet (i.e., is sweet when it is smelt).

The cakes eat short and crisp (i.e., are short and crisp when they are eaten). At least the play reads well (i,e., affects the reader well when it is read).

We give below further examples of the interchange of Active and Passive Voice. Active. - All his friends laughed at him. Passive.- He was laughed at by all his friends.

Active.- They made him king.

Passive.- He was made king.

Active. - They use video for teaching the students. Passive.- Video is used for teaching the students.

Active.- One should keep one's promises. Passive.- Promises should be kept.

Active.- When will you return the book? Passive.- When will the book be returned?

Active.- Someone has picked my pocket. Passive.- My pocket has been picked.

Active:- Circumstances will oblige me to go.  Passive:- I shall be obliged to go.

Exercise

Name the Verbs in the following sentences, and tell whether they are in the Active or in the Passive Voice:

1. The cat killed the mouse.

Answer: Killed - Active

2. We compelled the enemy to surrender.

Answer: Compelled - Active

3. The boy was bitten by a dog.

Answer: Was bitten - Passive

4. The thief was caught.

Answer: was caught - Passive

5. The boy made a kite.

Answer: made- Active

6. The ship was burned.

Answer: was burned - Passive

7. The young man made a disturbance at the meeting.

Answer: made- Active

8. The captive was bound to a tree.

Answer: was bound - Active

9. The bird was killed by a cruel boy.

Answer: was killed - Passive

10. The sudden noise frightened the horse.

Answer: frightened - Active

11. He is loved by all.

Answer: is loved - passive

12. The exhibition was opened by the Governor.

Answer: was opened - passive

13. I see a dark cloud.

Answer: see - Active

14. His command was promptly obeyed.

Answer: was obeyed - Passive

15. Some of the cargo had been damaged by the seawater.

Answer: had been damaged - Passive

16. Nothing will be gained by hurry.

Answer: will be gained - passive

17. The dog chased the sheep.

Answer: chased – Active

18. This letter was posted last night.

Answer: was posted - Passive

19. The field is ploughed.

Answer: is ploughed - Passive

20. The dog was teased by the boy.

Answer: was teased - Passive

21. The cat drank all the milk.

Answer: drank - Active

22. A stone struck me on the head.

Answer: struck – Active

23. The old gentleman takes snuff.

Answer: takes - Active

24. The money was lost.

Answer: was lost - Passive

25. The letter has just been posted.

Answer: has been posted - Passive

Turn the following sentences from the Active Voice to the Passive Voice: - (Note-The agent with by should be omitted in Nos. 7, 12, 25, 29, 30, 31,32, 33, 34 and 35.)

1. The cat killed the mouse.

Answer: The mouse was killed by the cat.

2. The man cut down the tree.

Answer: The tree was cut down by a man.

3. Columbus discovered America.

Answer: America was discovered by Columbus.

4. His teacher praised him.

Answer: He was praised by his teacher.

5. The boy teased the dog.

Answer: The dog was teased by the boy.

6. The syce feeds the horse every day.

Answer: The horse is fed by the sycee every day.

7. The police arrested him.

Answer: He was arrested.

8. Rama was making a kite.

Answer: A kite was being made by Rama.

9. The boy caught the ball.

Answer: The ball was caught by the boy.

10. My father will write a letter.

Answer: A letter will be written by my father.

11. I will conquer him.

Answer: He will be conquered (by me).

12. He kept me waiting.

Answer: I was kept waiting.

13. The hunter shot the lion.

Answer: The lion was shot by the hunter.

14. Hari opened the door.

Answer: The door was opened by Hari.

15. A policeman caught the thief.

Answer: The thief was caught by a policeman.

16. Sohrab threw the ball.

Answer: The ball was thrown by Sohrab.

17. He scored twenty runs.

Answer: Twenty runs were scored by him.

18. Your behaviour vexes me.

Answer: I am vexed by your behaviour.

19. Manners reveal character.

Answer: Character is revealed by manners.

20. He made a very remarkable discovery.

Answer: A very remarkable discovery was made by him.

21. Little strokes fell great oaks.

Answer: Great oaks are felled by little strokes.

22. Dhondu will bring the pony.

Answer: The pony will be brought by Dhondu.

23. Everyone loves him.

Answer: He is loved by everyone.

24. My cousin has drawn his picture.

Answer: This picture has been drawn by my cousin.

25. We expect good news.

Answer: Good news is expected.

26. The farmer gathers the harvest.

Answer: The harvest is gathered by the farmer.

27. His own brother swindled him.

Answer: He was swindled by his own brother.

28. The recitation pleased the inspector.

Answer: The inspector was pleased by recitation.

 29. Somebody has put out the light.

Answer: The light has been put out.

30. The enemy has defeated our army.

Answer: Our army had been defeated

31. They sell radios here.

Answer: Radios are sold here.

32. I have sold my bicycle.

Answer: My bicycle has been sold.

33. People will soon forget it.

Answer: It will soon be forgotten.

34. They opened the theatre only last month.

Answer: The theatre was opened.

35. We prohibit smoking.

Answer: Smoking is prohibited.

Change the following sentences so that the Verbs will be in the Passive Voice:

 1. We saw you and him.

Answer: You and he were seen by us.

2. They asked me my name.

Answer: I was asked my name. (or My name was asked by them).

3. We refused them admission.

Answer: They were refused admission.

4. I bought the baby a doll.

Answer: A doll was bought for the baby.

5. They found him guilty of murder.

Answer: He was found guilty of murder.

6. A thunderstorm often turns milk sour.

Answer: Milk is often turned sour by a thunderstorm.

7. You cannot pump the ocean dry.

Answer: The ocean cannot be pumped dry.

8. They saw the storm approaching.

Answer: The storm was seen approaching.

 9. He keeps me waiting.

Answer: I am kept waiting.

10. They painted the house red.

Answer: The house was painted red.

11. He told me to leave the room.

Answer: I was told to leave the room.

12. He promised me a present.

Answer: I was promised a promise. (or A present was promised to me).

13. I shall order the carriage.

Answer: The carriage will be ordered.

14. The boy is climbing the cliff.

Answer: The cliff is being climbed by the boy.

15. One may accomplish many things by a little effort.

Answer: Many things can be accomplished by a little effort.

16. I am watching you very carefully.

Answer: You are being watched carefully.

Rewrite the following sentences so that the Verbs will be in the Active Voice:

1. He was praised by his father.
Answer: His father praised him.

2. The first railway was built by George Stephenson.
Answer: George Stephenson built the first railway.

3. The horse was frightened by the noise.
Answer: The noise frightened the horse.

4. Not a word was spoken by Latif.
Answer: Latif did not speak a word.

5. The teacher was pleased with the boy's work.
Answer: The boys did not pleased the teacher.

6. He was taken to the hospital by his friends.
Answer: His friends took him to hospital.

7. The town was destroyed by an earthquake.
Answer: An earthquake destroyed the town.

8. The road was lined with people.
Answer: People lined the road.

9. The President was welcomed by the people.
Answer: The people welcomed the president.

10. Shakuntala was written by Kalidas.
Answer: Kalidas wrote Shakuntala.

11. The building was damaged by the fire.
Answer: The fire damaged the building.

12. I was struck by his singular appearance.
Answer: His singular appearance struck me.

13. Those cars were built by robots.
Answer: Robots built the cars.
14. The streets were thronged with spectators.
Answer: Spectators thronged the street.

15. The trees were blown down by the wind.
Answer: The wind blew down the trees.

16. We shall be blamed by everyone.
Answer: Everyone will blame us.

17. The child was knocked down by a car.
Answer: A car knocked the down the child.

18. Alice was not much surprised at this.
Answer: This did not much surprise Alice.

19. He will be greatly surprised if he is chosen.

Answer: It will greatly surprise him if they chose him.

In the following sentences change the Voice:

1. We elected Balu captain.

Answer: Balu was elected captain.

2. I saw him opening the box.

Answer: He was seen opening the box.

3. We must listen to his words.

Answer: His words must be listened to.

4. Shall I ever forget those happy days?

Answer: Will those happy days ever be forgotten?

5. By whom was this jug broken?

Answer: Who broke this jug?

6. His subordinates accused him of various offences.

Answer: He was accused of various offences by his subordinates.

7. One cannot gather grapes from thistles.

Answer: Grapes cannot be gathered from thistles.

8. The telegraph wires have been cut.

Answer: Some has cut off the telegraph wires.

9. Alas! We shall hear his voice no more.

Answer: Alas! His voice will be heard no more.

10. The 1998 Asian Games were held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Answer: They held the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

11. Without effort, nothing can be gained.

Answer: Without effort, we/one can gain nothing.

12. Do not insult the weak.

Answer: Let the weak not be insulted.

13. All desire wealth and some acquire it.

Answer: Wealth is desired by all and (is) acquired by some.

14. Why should I be suspected by you?

Answer: Why should you suspect me?

15. The information is kept on our computer.

Answer: We keep the information on our computer.

16. The legend tells us how the castle received its name.

Answer: We are told by legend how its name was received by the castle.

17. My watch was lost.

Answer: I lost my watch.

18. Why did he defraud you of your earnings?

Answer: Why were you defrauded of your earnings by him?

19. The public will learn with astonishment that war is imminent.

Answer: It will be learnt by the public with astonishment that war is imminent.

20. He made his wife do the work.

Answer: His wife was made to do the work.

21. The master appointed him monitor.

Answer: He was appointed monitor.

22. The doctor despaired of his recovery.

Answer: His recovery was despaired of by his doctor.

23. He was refused admittance.

Answer: They refused him admittance.

24. They laughed at his warnings and objected to all his proposals.

Answer: His warnings were laughed at and all his proposals were objected.

25. The people regarded him as an impostor and called him a villain.

Answer: He was regarded as an imposter and called a villain.