Chapter 1 · English Grammar
Active and Passive Voice
What you will be able to do
- Explain the difference between the active and passive voice
- Change active sentences to passive across all tenses
- Handle special cases: two objects, modals, infinitives, 'get'
- Decide when the passive is the better choice
- Avoid the most common voice errors
1 Quick Introduction
English
In the active voice, the subject does the action: "The chef cooked the meal." In the passive voice, the subject receives the action: "The meal was cooked by the chef." The passive shifts the spotlight from the doer to the thing done — useful when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious.
हिन्दी
कर्तृवाच्य (active voice) में कर्ता क्रिया करता है: "The chef cooked the meal." कर्मवाच्य (passive voice) में कर्ता क्रिया पाता है: "The meal was cooked by the chef." Passive ध्यान करने वाले से हटाकर हुई वस्तु पर ले जाता है — तब उपयोगी जब करने वाला अज्ञात, अमहत्वपूर्ण या स्पष्ट हो।
2 A Real-Life Situation
Imagine this
You read a notice and a news headline:
Notice: The library will be closed tomorrow.
News: A new bridge has been built over the river.
Why this form? Neither sentence names who closes the library or who built the bridge — because it doesn't matter, or everyone knows. That is exactly when the passive voice is the natural, professional choice: formal notices, science, and news.
3 The Grammar Rule
Rule & Formula
| Tense | Active | Passive |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | writes | is written |
| Simple Past | wrote | was written |
| Present Continuous | is writing | is being written |
| Present Perfect | has written | has been written |
| Future | will write | will be written |
Object → Subject · verb → (be in same tense) + V3 · Subject → by + object
She writes a letter → A letter is written by her.
4 How to Change Active to Passive
Follow three steps to turn an active sentence into a passive one:
- Move the object to the front (it becomes the new subject).
- Change the verb to the correct form of be (in the same tense) + the past participle (V3).
- Put the old subject after by (drop it if unknown or obvious).
Active: The dog (subject) chased the cat (object).
Passive: The cat was chased by the dog.
The tense never changes — only the form of 'be' carries it. Present → is/are; past → was/were; future → will be; perfect → has/have been.
1
Worked Example
Change to passive: The teacher praised the students.
Solution
The students were praised by the teacher. — past tense → 'were' + 'praised' (V3).
2
Worked Example
Change to passive: They are building a house.
Solution
A house is being built (by them). — present continuous passive = is/are being + V3.
Key Points
- Object → subject; verb → be (same tense) + V3; subject → by + object
- The tense is carried by the form of 'be'
- Drop 'by …' when the doer is unknown or obvious
5 Special Passive Constructions
Some sentences need extra care:
- Two objects: 'He gave me a book' → two passives: I was given a book / A book was given to me.
- With modals: 'You must do the work' → The work must be done. (modal + be + V3)
- Impersonal passive: 'People say he is rich' → It is said that he is rich.
- Passive infinitive: 'She wants someone to invite her' → She wants to be invited.
- Passive with 'get': informal — He got hurt / The window got broken.
- Imperatives: 'Shut the door' → Let the door be shut.
1
Worked Example
Passive with a modal: We should respect elders.
Solution
Elders should be respected. — modal 'should' + be + V3.
2
Worked Example
Impersonal passive: People believe that she is honest.
Solution
It is believed that she is honest.
Key Points
- Two objects → two possible passive forms
- Modals: modal + be + V3 (must be done)
- Impersonal: It is said/believed that …; imperatives: Let … be + V3
6 Vocabulary Builder
| Word | Meaning | हिन्दी |
|---|---|---|
| Active voice | subject does the action | कर्तृवाच्य |
| Passive voice | subject receives the action | कर्मवाच्य |
| Agent | the doer (after 'by') | कर्ता |
| Past participle | the V3 form | भूत कृदंत |
| Impersonal | not naming a doer | अवैयक्तिक |
✎ Vocabulary Quick Test0 / 1
Q.In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence:
Explanation: In the passive voice, the grammatical subject receives the action.
7 Common Mistakes to Avoid
✗ IncorrectThe book is wrote by him.
✓ CorrectThe book is written by him.
Use the past participle (written), not the past tense.
✗ IncorrectA letter was wrote.
✓ CorrectA letter was written.
Same rule: 'be' + V3 (written).
✗ IncorrectThe work must be did.
✓ CorrectThe work must be done.
After a modal: be + V3 (done).
✗ IncorrectHe was seen him.
✓ CorrectHe was seen.
Don't keep the object pronoun in the passive.
8 Practice Exercises
Fill in the BlanksLevel 1
Complete the passive form with the correct form of 'be'.
- The cake ______ eaten. (past)
- The letters ______ posted. (past, plural)
- English ______ spoken here. (present)
- A new road ______ being built. (present cont.)
- The work ______ been finished. (present perfect)
Answer Key
- was
- were
- is
- is
- has
Fill in the BlanksLevel 2
Change each active sentence to the passive voice.
- She sings a song.
- They built a bridge.
- He is writing a letter.
- We must obey the rules.
- Someone has stolen my bag.
Answer Key
- A song is sung by her.
- A bridge was built by them.
- A letter is being written by him.
- The rules must be obeyed.
- My bag has been stolen.
Error Detection
- The song is sang by her.
- The house was build last year.
- The work must be did today.
- A letter is write by him.
Answer Key
- The song is sung by her. (error: sang)
- The house was built last year. (error: build)
- The work must be done today. (error: did)
- A letter is written by him. (error: write)
Sentence Correction
- The thief was catch by the police.
- Rice is grow in this region.
- The window has been broke.
Answer Key
- The thief was caught by the police.
- Rice is grown in this region.
- The window has been broken.
Rearrange the Words
- was / by / the / cat / chased / the / dog
- must / be / the / done / work
- is / English / spoken / here
Answer Key
- The cat was chased by the dog.
- The work must be done.
- English is spoken here.
Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. is written | a. present perfect passive |
| 2. was written | b. simple present passive |
| 3. is being written | c. present continuous passive |
| 4. has been written | d. simple past passive |
Answer Key
is written → simple present passivewas written → simple past passiveis being written → present continuous passivehas been written → present perfect passive
9 Micro Quiz
✎ Quick Check — 5 questions0 / 5
Q1.Passive of 'She makes cakes':
Explanation: Present passive = is/are + V3 'made'.
Q2.Passive of 'They will build a house':
Explanation: Future passive = will be + V3.
Q3.Passive with modal: 'You must finish it.'
Explanation: modal + be + V3.
Q4.Which is the present continuous passive?
Explanation: is/are being + V3.
Q5.Passive of 'Someone has eaten the cake':
Explanation: Present perfect passive = has been + V3 (agent 'someone' is dropped).
10 Reading Practice
The old fort was built nearly four hundred years ago. Every year it is visited by thousands of tourists. Recently, the walls have been repaired and new lights have been installed. "It must be protected for future generations," the guide said. It is believed that a secret tunnel lies beneath it.
Comprehension Questions
- Find a simple past passive verb in the passage.
- Identify a present perfect passive form.
- Rewrite 'It is believed that a secret tunnel lies beneath it' in the active voice.
Answer Key
- was built — 'be' (past) + past participle.
- have been repaired (also 'have been installed') — has/have been + V3.
- People believe that a secret tunnel lies beneath it.
11 Speaking, Writing & Daily Use
Say these aloud
- English is spoken in many countries.
- The room is being cleaned now.
- The match was won by our team.
- These rules must be followed.
- A new school has been opened in our town.
Write five sentences describing how something is made (e.g. tea, paper), using the passive voice in different tenses.
Example: The leaves are picked by hand. They were dried in the sun. The tea has been packed and sent to shops.
12 Challenge Zone
🔥 Higher-Level Questions — 30 / 3
Q1.Change to passive: 'They gave her a prize.' (subject focus on 'her')
Explanation: With two objects, the person can become the subject: 'She was given a prize.'
Q2.Impersonal passive of 'People say that he is a genius':
Explanation: 'It is said that …' is the impersonal passive.
Q3.Passive of the imperative 'Close the door':
Explanation: Imperatives become 'Let + object + be + V3'.
13 Chapter Mind Map
ACTIVE & PASSIVE VOICE
|
+------------+------------+
| | |
FORMATION TENSES SPECIAL
object>subj be + V3 two objects
verb>be+V3 carries the modals:be+V3
subj>by.. tense It is said..
is/was/will Let..be+V314 One-Minute Revision
Remember these
- Active: subject does; passive: subject receives the action
- Object → subject; verb → be (same tense) + V3; old subject → by + …
- The tense is shown by the form of 'be' (is/was/will be/has been)
- Modals: modal + be + V3 (must be done)
- Impersonal: It is said that …; drop 'by' when the doer is unknown/obvious