Find the Content and Exercises with Solution
Lesson Objectives
- Understand the Concept of Voice:
- Define what voice is in grammar.
- Differentiating between active and passive voice.
- Identify Active and Passive Voice Sentences:
- Recognize sentences in both active and passive voice.
- Understand the structure of both active and passive voice sentences.
- Convert Sentences from Active to Passive Voice:
- Convert sentences written in the active voice into passive voice, and vice versa.
- Understand the rules of transforming the object, subject, and verb forms when changing voice.
- Comprehend Tense Variations in Active and Passive Voice:
- Learn how different tenses (e.g., present, past, future) affect the structure of both active and passive voice.
- Understand how auxiliary verbs change when switching between active and passive voice across various tenses.
- Apply the Rules of Voice in Context:
- Use active and passive voice correctly in written and spoken communication.
- Recognize when to use passive voice for emphasis on the action or when the doer is unknown or unimportant.
- Understand Special Case Structures:
- Learn how modal verbs, auxiliary verbs, use of different prepositions, and questions change the form of active and passive voice.
- Understand passive voice usage in imperative sentences, requests, or orders.
- Develop Practical Skills for Active and Passive Voice:
- Practice transforming simple and complex sentences between active and passive voice.
- Evaluate and correct mistakes related to the use of active and passive voice in writing.
- Evaluate Sentence Appropriateness in Context:
- Identify when it is appropriate to use the active voice and when the passive voice should be used, focusing on clarity and tone.
Assertive
Active Voice Structure:
Subject + verb + object
- I write a letter.
- I am writing a letter.
- I have written a letter.
- I have been writing a letter.
- I wrote a letter.
- I was writing a letter.
- I had written a letter.
- I had been writing a letter.
- I will write a letter.
- I will be writing a letter.
- I will have written a letter.
- I will have been writing a letter.
Structures with Examples
- (Object of active voice + am/is/are + v3 +
‘by’ or another preposition + sub. of active voice.)
Active: I write a letter.
Passive: A letter is written by me.
Active: They clean the house.
Passive: The house is cleaned by them. - (Object of active voice + am/is/are + being +
v3 + by or another preposition + subject of active voice.)
Active: I am writing a letter.
Passive: A letter is being written by me.
Active: They are cleaning the house.
Passive: The house is being cleaned by them. - (Object of active voice + have/has been +
v3 + by or another preposition + subject of active voice.)
Active: I have written a letter.
Passive: A letter has been written by me.
Active: They have cleaned the house.
Passive: The house has been cleaned by them. - (Object of active voice + have/has been + being +
v3 + by or another preposition + subject of active voice.)
Active: I have been writing a letter.
Passive: A letter has been being written by me.
Active: They have been cleaning the house.
Passive: The house has been being cleaned by them. - (Object of active voice + was/were +
v3 + by or another preposition + subject of active voice.)
Active: I wrote a letter.
Passive: A letter was written by me.
Active: They cleaned the house.
Passive: The house was cleaned by them. - (Object of active voice + was/were + being +
v3 + by or another preposition + subject of active voice.)
Active: I was writing a letter.
Passive: A letter was being written by me.
Active: They were cleaning the house.
Passive: The house was being cleaned by them. - (Object of active voice + had been +
v3 + by or another preposition + subject of active voice.)
Active: I had written a letter.
Passive: A letter had been written by me.
Active: They had cleaned the house.
Passive: The house had been cleaned by them. - (Object of active voice + had been + being +
v3 + by or another preposition + sub. of active voice.)
Active: I had been writing a letter.
Passive: A letter had been being written by me.
Active: They had been cleaning the house.
Passive: The house had been being cleaned by them. - (Object of active voice + will be +
v3 + by or another preposition + subject of active voice.)
Active: I will write a letter.
Passive: A letter will be written by me.
Active: They will clean the house.
Passive: The house will be cleaned by them. - (Object of active voice + will be + being +
v3 + by or another preposition + subject of active voice.)
Active: I will be writing a letter.
Passive: A letter will be being written by me.
Active: They will be cleaning the house.
Passive: The house will be being cleaned by them. - (Object of active voice + will have been +
v3 + by or another preposition + subject of active voice.)
Active: I will have written a letter.
Passive: A letter will have been written by me.
Active: They will have cleaned the house.
Passive: The house will have been cleaned by them. - (Object of active voice + will have been being +
v3 + by or another preposition + subject of active voice.)
Active: I will have been writing a letter.
Passive: A letter will have been being written by me.
Active: They will have been cleaning the house.
Passive: The house will have been being cleaned by them.
Active & Passive Voice with Modal Verbs
- Active: He can do it.
Passive: It can be done by him.
Structure: Object of the active voice + can be +
v3 + by/another preposition + subject of the active voice - Active: You could do it.
Passive: It could be done by you.
Structure: Object of the active voice + could be +
v3 + by/another preposition + subject of the active voice - Active: They may help us.
Passive: We may be helped by them.
Structure: Object of the active voice + may be +
v3 + by/another preposition + subject of the active voice - Active: He might follow us.
Passive: We might be followed by him.
Structure: Object of the active voice + might be +
v3 + by/another preposition + subject of the active voice - Active: You should write an email.
Passive: An email should be written by you.
Structure: Object of the active voice + should be +
v3 + by/another preposition + subject of the active voice - Active: She would help the poor.
Passive: The poor would be helped by her.
Structure: Object of the active voice + would be +
v3 + by/another preposition + subject of the active voice - Active: We ought to help needy people.
Passive: The needy people ought to be helped by us.
Structure: Object of the active voice + ought to be +
v3 + by/another preposition + subject of the active voice - Active: We must follow the rules.
Passive: The rules must be followed by us.
Structure: Object of the active voice + must be +
v3 + by/another preposition + subject of the active voice - Active: We should have done it.
Passive: It should have been done by us.
Structure: Object of the active voice + should have been
+ v3 + by/another preposition + subject of the active voice - Active: We must have broken the rule.
Passive: The rule must have been broken by us.
Structure: Object of the active voice + must have been + v3 + by/another preposition + subject of the active voice - Active: Students ought to have learned ethics.
Passive: Ethics ought to have been learned by students.
Structure: Object of the active voice + ought to have been +
v3 + by/another preposition + subject of the active voice
Active & Passive Voice - Use of Prepositions
Note: The preposition ‘by’ is not used all the time. Look at the following examples.
- Active: ATN Bangla telecast the news.
Passive: The news was telecast(ed) on ATN Bangla. - Active: I know him.
Passive: He is known to me.
Note: You can use ‘to’ with ‘married’ and ‘obliged’.
- Active: They annoyed him.
Passive: He was annoyed with them.
Note: You can use ‘at’ if the verb is not followed by a human being.
- Active: The meeting annoyed me.
Passive: I was annoyed at the meeting.
- Active: The panic will surely seize us.
Passive: We will surely be seized with the panic. - Active: Her honesty has pleased me.
Passive: I have been pleased with her honesty.
Note: You can use ‘with’ with the following verbs: ‘charm, disgusted, impress, etc.’
- Active: The jar contains some water.
Passive: Some water is contained in the jar. - Active: This work interests me.
Passive: I am interested in this work.
Note: You can use ‘in’ with ‘consisted, absorbed, etc.’
- Active: This news shocked her.
Passive: She was shocked at this news. - Active: They surprised me.
Passive: I was surprised at them. - Active: Their situation alarmed us.
Passive: We were alarmed at their situation. - Active: Their performance disappointed us.
Passive: We were disappointed at their performance. - Active: The scenery completely marveled us.
Passive: We were completely marveled at the scenery.
Note: You have to use ‘at’ with the following verbs: ‘astonished, alarmed, disappointed, displeased, laughed, etc.’
- Active: Mango tastes sour.
Passive: Mango is sour when tested. - Active: The rose smells sweet.
Passive: The rose is sweet when smelled. - Active: The velvet feels soft.
Passive: The velvet is soft when touched.
Note: Use ‘when’ with the sensuous verbs such as ‘smell, feel, etc.’
Passive Voice in Interrogative Sentences
In English, the passive voice changes the structure of a sentence, usually focusing on the action rather than the subject. Below, we explore the different ways to form passive voice from interrogative sentences.
Rule Number One: Interrogative Sentence Starting with 'Do' or 'Did'
If an interrogative sentence begins with ‘do’ or ‘did’, the passive voice will begin with ‘am’, ‘is’, ‘are’, ‘was’, or ‘were’, followed by the subjective form of the object and the past participle (v3) form of the verb, and optionally 'by' or another preposition and the subject of the active sentence.
Present Indefinite
Active: Do you play cricket?
Passive: Is cricket played by you?Structure:
Am/Is/Are + Subjective form of the object + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition + Subject of the active sentence
Past Indefinite
Active: Did he play cricket?
Passive: Was cricket played by him?Structure:
Was/Were + Subjective form of the object + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition + Subject of the active sentence
Rule Number Two: Interrogative Sentence Starting with 'Am', 'Is', 'Are', 'Was', 'Were'
If an interrogative sentence begins with ‘am’, ‘is’, ‘are’, ‘was’, or ‘were’, the passive voice will begin with the same auxiliary verb followed by 'being' and then the past participle (v3) form of the verb, with ‘by’ or another preposition and the subject of the active sentence.
Present Continuous
Active: Is she doing her homework?
Passive: Is her homework being done by her?Structure:
Am/Is/Are + Subjective form of the object + being + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition + Subject of the active sentence
Past Continuous
Active: Was she writing a book?
Passive: Was a book being written by her?Structure:
Was/Were + Subjective form of the object + being + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition + Subject of the active sentence
Rule Number Three: Interrogative Sentence Starting with 'Have', 'Has', 'Had'
If an interrogative sentence begins with ‘have’, ‘has’, or ‘had’, the passive voice will start with the same auxiliary verb followed by 'been', and then the past participle (v3) of the main verb, with ‘by’ or another preposition and the subject of the active sentence.
Present Perfect Tense
Active: Have I broken the glass?
Passive: Has the glass been broken by me?Structure:
Have/Has + Subjective form of the object + been + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition + Subject of the active sentence
Past Perfect Tense
Active: Had they played football?
Passive: Had football been played by them?Structure:
Had + Subjective form of the object + been + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition + Subject of the active sentence
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Active: Have I been driving a car?
Passive: Has a car been being driven by me?Structure:
Has/Have + Subjective form of the object + been + being + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition + Subject of the active sentence
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Active: Had I been driving a car?
Passive: Had a car been being driven by me?Structure:
Had + Subjective form of the object + been + being + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition + Subject of the active sentence
Rule Number Four: Interrogative Sentence Starting with 'Shall' or 'Will'
If an interrogative sentence begins with ‘shall’ or ‘will’, the passive voice will start with the same auxiliary verb, followed by ‘be’, then the past participle (v3) of the main verb, and finally ‘by’ or another preposition plus the subject of the active sentence.
Future Indefinite Tense
Active: Will you buy a car?
Passive: Will a car be bought by you?Structure:
Will + Subjective form of the object + be + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition
Future Continuous Tense
Active: Will you be reading this book?
Passive: Will this book be being read by you?Structure:
Will + Subjective form of the object + be + being + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition
Future Perfect Tense
Active: Will he have bought this house?
Passive: Will this house have been bought by him?Structure:
Will + Subjective form of the object + have been + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Active: Will he have been saving some money?
Passive: Will some money have been being saved by him?Structure:
Will + Subjective form of the object + have been + being + Past participle
(v3) + 'by' or another preposition
Rule Number Five: Interrogative Sentences with 'Who', 'Why', 'When'
If an interrogative sentence begins with ‘who’, ‘why’, or ‘when’, the passive voice will also begin with ‘who’, ‘why’, or ‘when’ and then follow the appropriate structure as per the tense used in the active voice.
Who
Active: Who has broken the glass?
Passive: By whom has the glass been broken?Structure:
By whom + Auxiliary verb (am, is, are, was, were, shall,
will, have, has, had) + Subjective form of the object + been
(for perfect tense) or being (for continuous tense)
or been being (for perfect continuous tense)
+ Past participle (v3)
Why
Active: Why did you do this?
Passive: Why was this done by you?Structure:
Why + Auxiliary verb (am, is, are, was, were, shall,
will, have, has, had) + Subjective form of the object + been
(for perfect tense) or being (for continuous tense)
or been being (for perfect continuous tense) +
Past participle (v3) + 'by' or another preposition
When
Active: When are you doing this?
Passive: When is this being done by you?Structure:
When + Auxiliary verb (am, is, are, was, were, shall,
will, have, has, had) + Subjective form of the object + been
(for perfect tense) or being (for continuous tense)
or been being (for perfect continuous tense) +
Past participle (v3) + 'by' or another preposition
Passive Voice of Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences are those that give commands, requests, advice, or instructions. They usually begin with a verb, and sometimes a polite word like "please" is included. The passive voice for these sentences is formed differently based on whether the sentence is a command, request, or advice. Below, we will go through the rules for changing imperative sentences into passive voice.
Rule Number One: Advice, Order, Request, or Command
If the imperative sentence is giving an advice, order, request, or command, the passive voice should start with “you are ordered”, “you are requested”, or “you are advised”. The structure includes the preposition ‘to’ followed by the main verb and the rest of the sentence.
Explanation:
When identifying if an imperative sentence is giving advice, order, request, or command, consider the tone and intention behind the sentence. For example:
- Advice: A suggestion or recommendation.
- Order: A direct command or instruction.
- Request: A polite way of asking someone to do something.
- Command: A firm instruction or order to do something.
Examples:
1. AdviceActive: Do your job seriously. (advice)
Passive: You are advised to do your job seriously.2. Request
Active: Please open the door. (request)
Passive: You are requested to open the door.3. Command
Active: Close the door immediately. (command)
Passive: You are ordered to close the door immediately.Structure:
You are ordered/requested/advised + to
+ Main Verb + Rest of the Sentence
Rule Number Two: Imperatives Starting with 'Let'
If the imperative sentence begins with ‘let’, the passive voice should also begin with ‘let’, followed by the object of the active voice, then ‘be’, the past participle form of the verb, and optionally ‘by’ or another preposition and the object.
Explanation:
The phrase “let” is used to give permission or make a suggestion, often in a less forceful manner than a direct command. In the passive voice, the structure remains formal, and the action is emphasized more than the person doing it.
Examples:
1. General RequestActive: Let me eat something.
Passive: Let something be eaten by me.2. Suggestion/Request
Active: Let her finish the work.
Passive: Let the work be finished by her.Structure:
Let + Object + be + Past Participle (v3)
+ by + Object (optional)
Other Necessary Information:
When converting imperative sentences into passive voice, the following points should also be kept in mind:
- If the imperative is a direct command, use the words “you are ordered” in the passive form.
- If the imperative is a request, use “you are requested” in the passive voice.
- If the imperative is giving advice or suggestion, use “you are advised” in the passive voice.
- For imperatives starting with ‘let’, the structure “Let + Object + be + Past Participle” is always used.
Summary Table:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Do your job seriously. (Advice) | You are advised to do your job seriously. | You are advised + to + Main Verb + Rest of Sentence |
| Please open the door. (Request) | You are requested to open the door. | You are requested + to + Main Verb + Rest of Sentence |
| Close the door immediately. (Command) | You are ordered to close the door immediately. | You are ordered + to + Main Verb + Rest of Sentence |
| Let me eat something. | Let something be eaten by me. | Let + Object + be + Past Participle + by + Object (optional) |
| Let her finish the work. | Let the work be finished by her. | Let + Object + be + Past Participle + by + Object (optional) |
Passive Voice of Optative Sentences
Optative sentences are sentences that express a wish, desire, or prayer. They are often used to convey a hope or express a desire for something to happen. In English, optative sentences commonly begin with the word "May" followed by a subject, verb, and object. These sentences can sometimes be converted into passive voice, but certain conditions must be met for this transformation.
Rule for Transforming Optative Sentences into Passive Voice:
When transforming an optative sentence from active to passive voice, the object of the sentence becomes the subject of the passive voice. The auxiliary verb "May" is retained in both active and passive forms, but the verb in the sentence is changed to its past participle form. Additionally, the original subject becomes part of the passive construction, following the preposition "by" or another preposition if necessary.
Important Notes:
- Optative sentences generally express a wish, hope, or prayer. They typically begin with "May" and involve a subject, a verb, and an object.
- Passive voice transformation can only occur if there is an object in the sentence. If no object is present, the sentence cannot be transformed into passive voice.
- The structure for transforming optative sentences into passive voice is: May + Object + be + Past Participle (Verb) + by + Subject
- If there is no object in the sentence, the passive transformation is not possible. For example, a sentence like "May he succeed" cannot be transformed because there is no object to take the place of the subject.
Example 1: With Object
Active: May our president help our poor people.
Passive: May our poor people be helped by our president.
Explanation:
In this sentence, "May" is the auxiliary verb expressing a wish. "Our president" is the subject, "help" is the main verb, and "our poor people" is the object. When we transform it into passive voice, the object "our poor people" becomes the subject, and the verb "help" changes to "be helped." The subject "our president" follows the preposition "by," resulting in the passive form: "May our poor people be helped by our president."
Structure:May + Object + be + Past Participle (Verb)
+ by + Subject
Example 2: Without Object
Active: May he succeed.
Passive: This sentence cannot be transformed into the passive voice.
Explanation:
In this sentence, "May" expresses a wish. "He" is the subject, and "succeed" is the verb. However, there is no object in this sentence that can take the place of the subject in the passive form. Since passive voice requires an object, this sentence cannot be converted into passive voice.
Key Points to Remember:
- Optative sentences express wishes, desires, or prayers, often starting with "May".
- If the optative sentence has an object, that object becomes the subject in the passive voice.
- Retain the auxiliary verb "May" in both active and passive sentences.
- When there is no object in the sentence, passive transformation is not possible.
- For transformation, use the following structure: May + Object + be + Past Participle (Verb) + by + Subject.
- Make sure that the transformation results in a grammatically correct and meaningful sentence in passive voice.
Summary Table:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| May our president help our poor people. | May our poor people be helped by our president. | May + Object + be + Past Participle (Verb) + by + Subject |
| May he succeed. | This sentence cannot be transformed into the passive voice. | No object to transform |
Active and Passive Voice Exercise
In this exercise, you will practice transforming sentences from Active Voice to Passive Voice for different sentence types: Assertive, Interrogative, Imperative, and Optative.
Instructions:
- For each sentence, transform the active sentence into passive voice.
- If the sentence cannot be transformed (e.g., no object), leave it as it is.
- Write the transformed sentence in the space provided.
1. Assertive Sentences
In assertive sentences, a statement is made. Transform the following assertive sentences into passive voice:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| She writes a letter. | |
| They built a house. | |
| The manager approved the report. |
2. Interrogative Sentences
In interrogative sentences, a question is asked. Transform the following interrogative sentences into passive voice:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| Did she complete the assignment? | |
| Has he finished his homework? | |
| Will they attend the meeting? |
3. Imperative Sentences
In imperative sentences, a command or request is made. Transform the following imperative sentences into passive voice:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| Open the door. | |
| Write your name on the paper. | |
| Complete the project by tomorrow. |
4. Optative Sentences
In optative sentences, a wish or prayer is expressed. Transform the following optative sentences into passive voice:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| May they succeed in their endeavors. | |
| May the students pass the exam with flying colors. | |
| May you be blessed with good health. |
Bonus: Identify the Type of Sentence and Transform
Read the following sentences, identify their type (assertive, interrogative, imperative, or optative), and then transform them into passive voice:
| Sentence | Sentence Type | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| The team won the match. | ||
| Did the teacher explain the lesson? | ||
| Let the children play outside. |
Conclusion
Once you have completed the exercise, check your answers and make sure that you have applied the correct transformations. Remember to pay attention to the sentence structure and the type of sentence to apply the right passive voice rules.
Answers
1. Assertive Sentences
In assertive sentences, a statement is made. Transform the following assertive sentences into passive voice:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| She writes a letter. | A letter is written by her. |
| They built a house. | A house was built by them. |
| The manager approved the report. | The report was approved by the manager. |
2. Interrogative Sentences
In interrogative sentences, a question is asked. Transform the following interrogative sentences into passive voice:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| Did she complete the assignment? | Was the assignment completed by her? |
| Has he finished his homework? | Has his homework been finished by him? |
| Will they attend the meeting? | Will the meeting be attended by them? |
3. Imperative Sentences
In imperative sentences, a command or request is made. Transform the following imperative sentences into passive voice:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| Open the door. | You are requested to open the door. |
| Write your name on the paper. | Your name is requested to be written on the paper. |
| Complete the project by tomorrow. | The project is requested to be completed by tomorrow. |
4. Optative Sentences
In optative sentences, a wish or prayer is expressed. Transform the following optative sentences into passive voice:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| May they succeed in their endeavors. | May their endeavors be succeeded by them. |
| May the students pass the exam with flying colors. | May the exam be passed with flying colors by the students. |
| May you be blessed with good health. | May good health be bestowed upon you. |
Bonus: Identify the Type of Sentence and Transform
Read the following sentences, identify their type (assertive, interrogative, imperative, or optative), and then transform them into passive voice:
| Sentence | Sentence Type | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| The team won the match. | Assertive | The match was won by the team. |
| Did the teacher explain the lesson? | Interrogative | Was the lesson explained by the teacher? |
| Let the children play outside. | Imperative | Let the children be allowed to play outside. |
📖 Key Features
- 📌 Format: Reading Text
- 📌 Content: Active and Passive Voice
- 📌 Composition Number: 1
- 📌 Lesson Objectives:
- Understand the Concept of Voice:
- Define what voice is in grammar.
- Differentiating between active and passive voice.
- Identify Active and Passive Voice Sentences:
- Recognize sentences in both active and passive voice.
- Understand the structure of both active and passive voice sentences.
- Convert Sentences from Active to Passive Voice:
- Convert sentences written in the active voice into passive voice, and vice versa.
- Understand the rules of transforming the object, subject, and verb forms when changing voice.
- Comprehend Tense Variations in Active and Passive Voice:
- Learn how different tenses (e.g., present, past, future) affect the structure of both active and passive voice.
- Understand how auxiliary verbs change when switching between active and passive voice across various tenses.
- Apply the Rules of Voice in Context:
- Use active and passive voice correctly in written and spoken communication.
- Recognize when to use passive voice for emphasis on the action or when the doer is unknown or unimportant.
- Understand Special Case Structures:
- Learn how modal verbs, auxiliary verbs, use of different prepositions, and questions change the form of active and passive voice.
- Understand passive voice usage in imperative sentences, requests, or orders.
- Develop Practical Skills for Active and Passive Voice:
- Practice transforming simple and complex sentences between active and passive voice.
- Evaluate and correct mistakes related to the use of active and passive voice in writing.
- Evaluate Sentence Appropriateness in Context:
- Identify when it is appropriate to use the active voice and when the passive voice should be used, focusing on clarity and tone.
- Understand the Concept of Voice:
- 📌 Clarity and Concise: B1 to B2 Level
- 📌 Visual Appeal: High-Quality Graphics
- 📌 Exercise:
- Multiple Choice Questions
- Short Questions
- Fill-in-the-Blanks
- 10 words with IPA transcription, word class, Bengali and English meanings, and example sentences.
- 📌 Ideal for: IT-Assisted Classrooms
- 📌 Perfect for: Presentation Purposes and Personal Learning
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