From Zero To Infinity Std 9 Unit 6 Active And Passive voice Grammar English
Active Voice and Passive Voice
Read the following sentences and analyse the difference.
The team leader presented the report.
The report was presented by the team leader.
In the first sentence, the verb shows that the subject is the doer of the action.
Therefore, the sentence is in active voice.
In the second sentence, the verb shows that the subject is not the doer of the
action. Therefore, the sentence is in passive voice.
We use the Passive voice when -
the focus is on the action rather than the doer of the action.
(e.g.) About 50 per cent of the graduates are employed in IT related sectors.
we do not know who the doer is.
(e.g.) My bike was stolen yesterday.
we talk of a system or a process.
(e.g.) The vegetables are washed well. Then, they are cut into cubes.
we write newspaper headlines and notices at public places. (‘be’ verb is
omitted as the language has to be concise)
(e.g.) 20 sportsmen felicitated by PM.
we describe changes that have taken place.
(e.g.) Our school looks completely different. The whole place has been painted.
Look at the below table. It shows the changes in tense while changing
sentences from active voice into passive voice.
Tense Active Voice Passive Voice
Simple Present He makes coffee. Coffee is made by him.
Present Continuous He is making coffee. Coffee is being made by him.
Present Perfect He has made coffee. Coffee has been made by him.
Simple Past He made coffee. Coffee was made by him.
Past Continuous He was making coffee. Coffee was being made by him.
Past Perfect He had made coffee. Coffee had been made by him.
Simple Future He will make coffee. Coffee will be made by him.
Future Perfect He will have made coffee. Coffee will have been made by him.
B. Convert the following active sentences into passive sentences by supplying an
appropriate passive verb form.
1. She will not recognize us. / We ____________ by her.
a. will not recognize b. will not being recognized c. will not be recognized
2. They didn’t invite me, but I went anyway. / I ________________ but I went anyway.
a. wasn't invited b. wasn't being invited c. wasn't inviting
3. They broke up the table for firewood. / The table ____________ up for firewood.
a. broke b. had broken c. was broken
4. She has won the first prize. / The first prize ______________ by her.
a. has won b. has been won c. had been won
5. A friend of mine is repairing the car. / The car _______________ by a friend of mine.
a. is repairing b. is repaired c. is being repaired
6. Begin the work tomorrow. / Let the work ____________ tomorrow.
a. be begun b. begin c. is beginning
7. They speak English in New Zealand. / English _______________ in New Zealand.
a. is speaking b. is spoken c. is being spoken
8. His attitude shocked me. / I _______________ by his attitude.
a. had shocked b. had been shocked c. was shocked
9. She had already sent the parcel. / The parcel _______________ by her.
a. has already been sent b. had already been sent c. was already sent
10. Her silence worries me. / I _______________ her silence.
a. am worrying by b. am worried by c. have worried by
C. Match the following Active voice sentences with Passive voice
Active Voice Passive Voice
1. I will never forget this experience A novel has been written by her.
2. Mother made a cake yesterday. The deer was being chased by the tiger.
3. Have you finished the report? A cake was made by mother yesterday.
4. The tiger was chasing the deer. Has the report been finished by you?
5. She has written a novel. This experience will never be forgotten by me.