Active and Passive Voice

-- B. Kedhar Guhan--- X D--- 34-

Introduction Active voice Passive voice When to use Passive voice Caution Types of Passive Voices

Index

Verb: in a sentence, the word used to describe an action, state or occurrence is called a Verb.

Voice: It is the form a verb takes to indicate whether the subject of the verb performs or receives the action.

There are mainly two types of voices: Active and Passive.

Introduction

Active voice is said to be used when the Subject acts in a sentence.

Because the subject does the action, it is called Active voice.

Examples:• I(s) completed(v) my homework. [ Here, the

subject I does the work ]• Aaditya is riding the bicycle. • Everybody is seeing Kedhar’s PPT.

Active Voice

Passive voice is said to be used when the Recipent is acted upon by the Subject.

Because the Subject is passive(is being acted upon), such sentences are said to be in passive voice.

• Kedhar’s PPT is being viewed by the class.[Here, the recipient PPT is being acted upon by the subject the class ]

• My CD was broken(v) when I(s) saw it this morning.• The culprits have been caught red-handed.

Passive Voice

We use passive when we are most interested in the action than the person who does it, or when we don’t know the active subject.

We generally use passive voice in Descriptive text types, like:

• Formal reports.• Description of some process.• Academic writings (like Reporting of scientefic

experiments)

When to use Passive Voice ?

Though transformation of active to passive voice is possible, we must remember certain sentences shouldn’t be transformed.

Example:• He is drinking water Water is being drunk by him. • She is eating food food is being eaten by her.

Though both the transformed sentence are grammatically correct, such sentences are very unnatural and sound awkward when spoken.

Caution

Passive voice, as well as active voice can be divided into various verb forms, according to tense used in the sentence.

In this PPT, we’ll discuss about the passive voice forms given in the book, namely-

1. Present Passive2. Simple Past Passive3. Present Perfect Passive4. Future Passive5. Modals with the Passive

Types of Passive Voices

Present Passive voice forms are used in the description of a process.

For example: 1.The tea leaves are picked and left to dry in the sun.

2.

So, it is generally used in descriptive text types.

Present Passive

Examples of Simple Past Passive forms:1. The Casual Vacancy was written by J.K. Rowling.2. 'Guernica' was painted by Picasso.3. The house was built during the 19th Century. All these sentences, if transformed to active

construction, would be in Simple Past Tense. So, these sentences are called Simple Past Passive voice forms.

We can infer that Simple Past Passive is used in narrative text types.

Simple Past Passive

Examples :1. The mission has been Accomplished.2. The walls have been painted black.3. The plane has been hijacked. In all the above, the sentences are in passive voice and also

are in Simple Perfect Tense. So, they are called Simple Perfect Passive forms.

We can infer that such sentences are generally used in descriptive text where Simple Perfect Tense is used

Present Perfect Passive

These sentences, as the name suggests, are in passive and also in Future tense.

Examples:1. I will be paid better from next month.2. I will be given less internal if I misbehave.3. The slums will be replaced with low cost

housing by next year.

Future passive

Examples:1. Trash must be collected and kept in a

garbage bag.2. The floor must be wiped.3. We must not be ashamed of being honest.

Such sentences are used when instructions are given.

Modals with the Passive

Consider the following example:(my car was damaged in an accident)1. A mechanic repaired my car.2. I got my car repaired.3. I had my car repaired.

In such cases, sentences 2 and 3 are more natural, and is also very clear.

Getting something done…

Q.1) Complete the following sentences by using passive form of verbs:

1)There is somebody behind us. I think we _____________ (follow)Ans. Are being followed

2)A mystery is something that _______ (cannot/ explain)Ans. Can’t be explained

Review

Q.2) Transform the following to passive voice:a) Place the screw driver inside the tool box.

(convert to Present Passive) Ans. The screw driver is placed inside the tool box.

b) I am drinking water.Ans. Water is being drunk by me [awkward/unnatural]

c) Some college students injured a policemanAns. A policeman was injured by some college students.

Thank you-- B. Kedhar Guhan--

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