ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

DEFINITION

We can make a statement in two ways if we are using a transitive verb. We may use the Active or the Passive voice.

What is voice ?

Voice refers to the who or what that is doing the verbs action in a sentence 

What is active voice? 

The subject of the sentence performs the action is called the active voice  in an active sentence the subject performs the world.

Grammar structure of active voice 

Subject+ verb + object

Examples of Active Voice Sentence:-

1. Children like chocolates.

2. Children are painting pictures.

3. Someone has stolen my pen.

4. The policeman caught the burglar.

5. She was writing a story.

6. They had won the game.

7. The government will pardon him.

8. Has someone seen the postman.

9. Did the watchman catch the thief.

10. Will the postman deliver the letters.

What is passive voice? 

The subject of the sentence receive the action is called the passive voice. In a passive sentences the work is done to the subject 

Grammar structure of passive voice 

Passive voice:- object + verb + subject

Be + past participle.

When do you use the passive voice?

1. The person who does the action is not known or not important then you can use the passive voice 

2. The action is more important or interesting than the person who does the action 

3. The person doing the action is obvious 

4. The object cannot do the action itself 

Example of Active and passive voice:-

1. The hunter killed a tiger. (Active Voice )

2. A tiger was killed by the hunter. (Passive Voice)

In the first sentence, the subject (the hunter ) is the door of the action. This sentence is  Active Voice. In the second sentence, the subject (tiger) is the receiver of the action. Here the subject is being acted upon.

This second sentences, the subject (tiger) is the receiver of the action. Here the subject is being acted upon. This sentence is in Passive Voice. The change in the form of the verb showing whether the subject acts or is acted upon is called the Voice.

A verb is said to be in the Active Voice when the person or thing denoted by the subject acts or is active. So the verb ‘killed’ in the above sentence is in the Active Voice. A verb is said to be in the Passive Voice when the person or thing denoted by the subject does not act but suffers the action done by something or someone.

The verb ‘was killed’ in the second sentences is in the Passive Voice. Some more examples are given.

PASSIVE VOICE

1. Chocolates are liked by children.

2. Pictures are being painted by children.

3. My pen has been stolen (by someone)

4. The burglar was caught (by the policeman)

5. A story was being written by her.

6. The game had been won by them.

7. He will be pardoned (by the government)

8. Has the postman been seen (by the watchman)?

9. Was the thief caught (by the watchman)?

10. Will the letters be delivered by the postman ?

How to turn active voice into passive voice 

Active voice=  subject + action + object

Passive voice = object + helping verb + verb 3rd form + by S