Subject: English Language
Topic: Voice Change
In English grammar, Voice is the form of a verb which
indicates whether the subject does the work or
something is done to it.
When the subject of the verb is doing the action, the verb is said to
be in the Active Voice.
Example: The dog bit the postman.
When the subject of the verb is being acted upon, the verb is said to
be in the Passive Voice.
Example: The postman was bitten by the dog.
Usually, we can change a sentence into a passive voice only if the
sentence has a transitive verb, that is, a verb with object.
Examples: i) active- He writes a letter (object).
passive- A letter is written by him.
ii) active- She helps me (object).
passive- I am helped by her.
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Common Rules for Changing Voice
(active to passive)
Active: They play football.
Passive: Football is played by them.
1. Object of active sentence becomes the subject of passive
sentence. (‘football’ has become subject in the passive voice)
2. Subject of active sentence becomes the object of passive sentence
and the word “by” precedes the object.
(‘They’ has become object ‘them’ and ‘by’ has been used before it)
3. Always past participle form of the verb is used.
(‘play’-‘played’)
4. Auxiliary verbs are used in passive voice according to the tense.
(as it’s present simple we have used the auxiliary ‘is’)
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5. If a verb has two objects: a direct object and an indirect
object, normally, the indirect object becomes the subject of the
passive sentence but we can also use the direct object as the
subject.
Example
Active: He gives me a book. (Here ‘me’ is indirect object
and ‘a book’ is direct object)
Passive: A book is given to me by him. / I am given a book
by him.
6. Changes of Pronouns ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE
I me
we us
you you
he him
she her
it it
they them
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The Form of Active Voice and Passive Voice in Present Tense
Present Simple
Active Formulation: Subject + V1(+ s/es if the subject is 3rd person singular
number) + object
e.g. The baker bakes a cake.
Passive Formulation: object as a subject+ am/is/are + V3 + by + subject as
object
e.g. A cake is baked by the baker.
Present Continuous
Active Formulation: Subject + am/is/are + verb+ ing+ object
e.g. The baker is baking a cake.
Passive Formulation: object as subject + am/is/are + being + V3 + by +
subject as object
e.g. A cake is being baked by the baker.
Present Perfect
Active Formulation: Subject + have/has + V3 + object
e.g. The baker has baked a cake.
Passive Formulation: object as subject + have/has+ been + V3 + by + subject
as object
e.g. A cake has been baked by the baker.
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Change the voice of the following sentences
(Active to Passive)
1) She teaches English Language.
2) She is teaching English Language.
3) She has taught English Language.
4) She teaches us English Language.
5) Does she teach English Language?
6) Does she teach us English Language?
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Answers
1) English Language is taught by her.
2) English Language is being taught by her.
3) English Language has been taught by her.
4) We are taught English Language by her.
OR
English Language is taught to us by her.
5) Is English Language taught by her?
6) Are we taught English Language by her?
OR
Is English Language taught to us by her?
