ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

In most sentences, there is always the doer likewise the receiver.  I.e.  The subject and the object. Here we shall discuss another segment of verb, let’s move on.

Examples: Rama slaps Ramadan. (Active voice)

Ramadan is slapped by Rama (passive voice)

In the first example we will observe that Rama is the subject while Ramadan is the receiver of the action (object). But in the second example Ramadan comes first in expense of the object while the doer is not shown or placed in the receiver's post.

Definition:  Active voice/verb shows the doer of the action.

Passive voice/verb: The subject is not shown or it is the receiver of the action. Also the person denoted by the subject is the passive.

Another example: The mason is building the wall (active)

The wall is being built by the mason (passive).

ACTIVE and PASSIVE CHAT

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 to use the Passive : the  ability to change the Active Voice into the Passive and vice versa is not sufficient.

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.

Exercise (Do these)

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

1. We saw you and him.

2. They asked me my name.

3. We refused them admission.

4. I bought the baby a doll.

 5. They found him guilty of murder. 

6. A thunderstorm often turns milk sour.

7. You cannot pump the ocean dry.

8. They saw the storm approaching.

9. He keeps me waiting. 

10. They painted the house red.

11. He told me to leave the room. 

12. He promised me a present. 

13. I shall order the carriage. 

14. The boy is climbing the cliff. 

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

16. I am watching you very carefully.

Exercise (Do these).

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

1. He was praised by his father.

2. The first railway was built by George Stephenson.

3. The horse was frightened by the noise.

4. Not a word was spoken by Latif.

5. The teacher was pleased with the boy's work.

6. He was taken to the hospital by his friends.

7. The town was destroyed by an earthquake.

8. The road was lined with people.

9. The President was welcomed by the people.

10. Shakuntala was written by Kalidas.