Notes - Active and Passive Voice - FAA English

Active and Passive Voice

Voice is that form of a verb which shows whether what is denoted by the subject does something or has something done to it.

1. Active Voice

A verb is in the Active Voice when its form shows that the person or thing denoted by the subject does something; or, in other words, is the doer of the action.

Structure: Subject + Verb + Object

Example: Rama helps Hari.

2. Passive Voice

A verb is in the Passive Voice when its form shows that something is done to the person or thing denoted by the subject.

Structure: Object + Helping Verb + V3 (Past Participle) + by + Subject

Example: Hari is helped by Rama.

3. General Rules for Conversion

The Subject of the Active voice becomes the Object of the Passive voice.
The Object of the Active voice becomes the Subject of the Passive voice.
The main verb is changed into the Past Participle form (V3).
The preposition 'by' is used before the new object (doer).
The tense of the verb changes according to specific rules, but the meaning of the sentence remains the same.

4. Tense-wise Changes

A. Present Tense

Tense	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Simple Present	S + V1 + O He writes a letter.	O + is/am/are + V3 + by + S A letter is written by him.
Present Continuous	S + is/am/are + V1+ing + O He is writing a letter.	O + is/am/are + being + V3 + by + S A letter is being written by him.
Present Perfect	S + has/have + V3 + O He has written a letter.	O + has/have + been + V3 + by + S A letter has been written by him.

B. Past Tense

Tense	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Simple Past	S + V2 + O He wrote a letter.	O + was/were + V3 + by + S A letter was written by him.
Past Continuous	S + was/were + V1+ing + O He was writing a letter.	O + was/were + being + V3 + by + S A letter was being written by him.
Past Perfect	S + had + V3 + O He had written a letter.	O + had + been + V3 + by + S A letter had been written by him.

C. Future Tense

Tense	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Simple Future	S + will/shall + V1 + O He will write a letter.	O + will/shall + be + V3 + by + S A letter will be written by him.
Future Perfect	S + will/shall + have + V3 + O He will have written a letter.	O + will/shall + have + been + V3 + by + S A letter will have been written by him.

Note: Passive Voice is NOT possible for:Present Perfect Continuous
Past Perfect Continuous
Future Continuous
Future Perfect Continuous

5. Sentences with Modals

Modals: can, could, may, might, should, must, ought to.

Rule: Modal + be + V3

Active: He can solve the sum.
Passive: The sum can be solved by him.

6. Imperative Sentences

Sentences expressing Order, Request, or Advice.

With Object

Let + Object + be + V3

Example: Shut the door. -> Let the door be shut.

Without Object / Advice / Request

Example: Work hard.
-> You are advised to work hard.

Example: Please help me.
-> You are requested to help me.

Practice - Active and Passive Voice - FAA English

Practice Exercise

Change the voice of the following sentences.

1. He writes a letter.

Passive: A letter is written by him.

2. She is cooking food.

Passive: Food is being cooked by her.

3. I have finished the work.

Passive: The work has been finished by me.

4. They played cricket.

Passive: Cricket was played by them.

5. He was reading a book.

Passive: A book was being read by him.

6. We had won the match.

Passive: The match had been won by us.

7. She will help me.

Passive: I shall be helped by her.

8. You must take this medicine.

Passive: This medicine must be taken by you.

9. Open the door.

Passive: Let the door be opened.

10. Do not insult the poor.

Passive: Let the poor not be insulted.

11. Who broke this glass?

Passive: By whom was this glass broken?

12. People speak English all over the world.

Passive: English is spoken all over the world. (Agent 'People' is vague, so omitted).

13. Someone has stolen my purse.

Passive: My purse has been stolen.

14. I know him.

Passive: He is known to me. (Note: 'to' is used instead of 'by' with 'know').

15. His behavior surprised me.

Passive: I was surprised at his behavior. (Note: 'at' used with 'surprised').

Rules - Active and Passive Voice - FAA English

Quick Rules Summary

Basic Conversion Formula

Active: Subject + Verb + Object
Passive: Object + Helping Verb + V3 + by + Subject

Tense Conversion Table

Simple Present: is/am/are + V3
Present Continuous: is/am/are + being + V3
Present Perfect: has/have + been + V3
Simple Past: was/were + V3
Past Continuous: was/were + being + V3
Past Perfect: had + been + V3
Simple Future: will/shall + be + V3
Future Perfect: will/shall + have + been + V3
Modals (can, should, etc.): Modal + be + V3

Peculiar Prepositions

Some verbs take prepositions other than 'by' in Passive Voice.

Know: to (known to)
Surprise: at (surprised at)
Satisfy: with (satisfied with)
Contain: in (contained in)
Marry: to (married to)
Annoy: at (something) / with (someone)

Pronoun Changes

I -> Me
We -> Us
You -> You
He -> Him
She -> Her
It -> It
They -> Them
Who -> By whom

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