Courses

Courses for Kids

Free study material

Store

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

English

Grammar

Active And Passive Voice

Active and Passive Voice Explained for Students

Q: 9. Are there any verbs that cannot be used in the passive voice?

Yes, intransitive verbs, which don't take a direct object, generally cannot be used in the passive voice. For example, "He sleeps" cannot be easily converted to passive form.

Reviewed by:

Aiswarya Ittianath

What is active and passive voice? Definition, Rules, and Examples for Easy Learning

After understanding the various parts of speech in the English language and the 12 tenses, the next important topic to focus on is the active and passive voice. This article provides a comprehensive guide to active Voice and passive voice, including their meaning, definitions, and usage. By exploring the differences between the two voices and reviewing the examples provided, you will gain the knowledge and skills to use active and passive voice correctly and effectively.

Table of Content

Understanding active and passive voice is essential in English grammar. The active and passive voice allows students to express actions clearly and shift focus in writing. Mastery of sentence transformation between these two voices is crucial for exams, effective writing, and confident spoken English. Explore rules, examples, and practical uses below.

What is Active and Passive Voice?

Active and passive voice are two forms of sentence structure in English grammar. In the active voice, the subject performs the action in the sentence. In the passive voice, the subject receives the action, and the doer may be mentioned later or omitted. Mastering these forms improves both written and spoken English and helps in scoring better in school and competitive exams.

Difference Between Active and Passive Voice

Aspect	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Focus	The subject does the action	The subject receives the action
Structure	Subject + Verb + Object	Object + form of "to be" + Past Participle + (by + Agent)
Example	She writes a letter.	A letter is written by her.
Usage	Common and direct	Used when doer is unknown or focus is on result

The table above shows how the sentence focus and structure change with active and passive voice. Learning these differences is helpful for competitive English exams.

Rules of Voice Change in English Grammar

Rules for changing active to passive voice:

Identify the object and subject in the active sentence.
Move the object to the subject position in the passive form.
Use the correct form of "to be" based on the tense (is, are, was, were, etc.).
Change the main verb to past participle (V3 form).
Add "by + doer" if needed. This part is optional if the doer is not important.

Examples Based on Tense

Simple Present: He writes a story. → A story is written by him.

Simple Past: She sang a song. → A song was sung by her.

Present Continuous: They are reading books. → Books are being read by them.

These patterns help students solve questions in CBSE, ICSE, and other board exams.

Active and Passive Voice Examples

Active Voice	Passive Voice
The cat chased the mouse.	The mouse was chased by the cat.
The teacher explains the lesson.	The lesson is explained by the teacher.
I wrote a letter.	A letter was written by me.
They built a house.	A house was built by them.
She has completed the project.	The project has been completed by her.

Practice with real examples allows students to master sentence transformation in schoolwork and spoken communication.

Active and Passive Voice Chart: Tense-wise Conversion

Tense	Active Example	Passive Example
Present Simple	Rina sings a song.	A song is sung by Rina.
Past Simple	John broke the window.	The window was broken by John.
Present Continuous	They are making tea.	Tea is being made by them.
Present Perfect	He has finished the work.	The work has been finished by him.
Future Simple	She will bake a cake.	A cake will be baked by her.

Understanding tense-wise patterns helps in quick revision before exams and during worksheet practice.

Common Mistakes and Tips for Active and Passive Voice

Avoid missing the right "be" form: Always match the tense when converting voice.
Remember only transitive verbs (verbs with objects) can be used in the passive voice.
Check pronoun changes: "I" becomes "me", "they" becomes "them", etc.
Avoid redundant "by" phrases if doer is obvious or unnecessary.
Practice with solved examples to improve speed in exams.

Practice Exercise: Active and Passive Sentences

Mohan reads a book. (Passive: A book is read by Mohan.)
She bought a car. (Passive: A car was bought by her.)
The artist is painting the wall. (Passive: The wall is being painted by the artist.)
They have solved the sum. (Passive: The sum has been solved by them.)
The chef will prepare the meal. (Passive: The meal will be prepared by the chef.)

Active and Passive Voice Exercises

Download Worksheets and PDF for Practice

Download worksheets and summary PDFs to revise active and passive voice anywhere. Use these charts and exercises for last-minute revision before board exams or entrance tests.

Active and Passive Voice Worksheet
Grammar

Page Summary

Active and passive voice are vital for shaping clear communication in English. Learning their rules, usage, and differences helps students excel in school exams, quick transformations, and fluent writing. Practice with Vedantu’s PDFs, tables, and exercises develops strong sentence skills and boosts confidence in both academic and competitive settings.

What are Active Voice and Passive Voice?

Active and passive voice are the two grammatical forms used in English Grammar. Neither of them is superior to the other, but each serves different purposes and works better in specific contexts.

Active voice is a sentence structure where the subject performs the action of the verb, creating a clear and straightforward expression. For example: "The cat ate the food."
Passive voice, on the other hand, places the focus on the action or the recipient by having the subject receive the verb's action. For instance: "The food was eaten by the cat."
While active voice often makes writing more lively and direct, passive voice can be useful when the emphasis needs to be on the action or the object rather than the subject, depending on the context.

Later in this article, we’ll discuss when to use each voice, but first, let’s take a closer look at active and passive voice.

Active Voice: Meaning and Definition

In active voice sentences, the subject performs the action of the verb, creating a straightforward and clear expression.

Examples in Active Voice:

The teacher explains the lesson.
In this sentence, the subject (teacher) performs the action (explains) on the object (lesson).

Other Active Voice Examples Include:

The chef prepares the meal.
I read the book.
They built a house.

In all of these, the subject is actively doing something to the object.

Passive Voice: Meaning and Definition

In passive voice, the object of the action becomes the subject of the sentence, and the performer of the action is often introduced later (if at all) with "by."

Examples in Passive Voice:

The lesson is explained by the teacher.
Here, the lesson (the object of the action) becomes the subject of the sentence, and the teacher (the performer of the action) is introduced after "by."

Other Passive Voice Examples:

The meal is prepared by the chef.
The book was read by me.
A house was built by them.

Notice how the focus shifts from the doer of the action to the receiver of the action. Passive voice sentences are often longer due to the inclusion of additional words like "by" and forms of "to be."

Here’s an example of passive voice without the preposition "by":

The package was delivered.
The decision was made.
The song was sung.

Difference Between Active and Passive Voice

Below is the table to summarise the difference between active and passive voice for your better understanding-

Aspect	Active Voice	Passive Voice
Focus	The subject performs the action	The subject receives the action
Sentence Structure	Subject + Verb + Object	Subject + Form of "to be" + Past Participle + (by + Agent)
Example	"The chef (subject) cooked (verb) the meal (object)."	"The meal (subject) was cooked (verb) by the chef (agent)."
Use	Commonly used for clarity and directness	Used when the action or recipient is more important than the doer
Emphasis	Emphasises the performer of the action	Emphasises the action or the recipient of the action

Active And Passive Voice Examples

Active Voice Examples:

"The teacher explains the lesson."
"The dog bit the mailman."
"She writes a letter."
"The company launched a new product."
"The artist painted a beautiful mural."

Passive Voice Examples:

"The lesson is explained by the teacher."
"The mailman was bitten by the dog."
"A letter is written by her."
"A new product was launched by the company."
"A beautiful mural was painted by the artist."

Rules to be Followed When Converting the Active Voice to the Passive Voice

Step 1: Find the Subject, Verb, and Object in the Active Sentence

The subject is the person or thing doing the action.
The verb is the action.
The object is what the action is being done to.

Example (Active):

The dog (subject) chased (verb) the ball (object).

Step 2: Move the Object to the Front

In passive voice, the object becomes the new subject.

Example (Active):

The dog chased the ball.

Example (Passive):

The ball becomes the subject: The ball was chased by the dog.

Step 3: Use the Right Form of "To Be"

You need to use the right form of the verb "to be" (am, is, are, was, were) based on the tense of the original sentence.

Example (Active):

She reads the book (Present tense).

Example (Passive):

The book is read by her.

Step 4: Change the Main Verb to Its Past Participle

Change the main verb into its past form. This is usually the third form of the verb.

Example (Active):

They built a house.

Example (Passive):

A house was built by them.

Step 5: Optional – Add the Doer of the Action (By)

You can include the person who did the action after "by," but it's optional. You can leave it out if you don’t need to mention them.

Example (Passive with Doer):

The cake was baked by the chef.

Example (Passive without Doer):

The cake was baked.

Step 6: For Ongoing Actions, Add "Being"

If the action is happening right now (continuous tense), use "being" along with the past form of the verb.

Example (Active - Ongoing Action):

They are making the cake.

Example (Passive - Ongoing Action):

The cake is being made by them.

Step 7: For Actions That are Completed, Use "Been"

If the action is completed (perfect tense), use "been" with the correct form of "to be."

Example (Active - Completed Action):

She has completed the project.

Example (Passive - Completed Action):

The project has been completed by her.

Examples of the Active and Passive Voice

Given below are a few Active And Passive Voice Examples with answers of how to convert.

Active Voice	Passive Voice
1. The cat chased the mouse.	1. The mouse was chased by the cat.
2. The teacher explains the lesson.	2. The lesson is explained by the teacher.
3. I wrote a letter.	3. A letter was written by me.
4. They built a new house.	4. A new house was built by them.
5. The chef prepared the dinner.	5. The dinner was prepared by the chef.
6. She reads a book every day.	6. A book is read by her every day.
7. The dog bit the man.	7. The man was bitten by the dog.
8. He finished his homework.	8. The homework was finished by him.
9. I played soccer with my friends.	9. Soccer was played by me and my friends.
10. The child drew a picture.	10. A picture was drawn by the child.
11. The artist painted a beautiful portrait.	11. A beautiful portrait was painted by the artist.
12. The mechanic fixed the car.	12. The car was fixed by the mechanic.
13. I ate my lunch quickly.	13. My lunch was eaten quickly.
14. She studied the textbook.	14. The textbook was studied by her.
15. We watched a movie last night.	15. A movie was watched by us last night.
16. They caught the bus on time.	16. The bus was caught by them on time.
17. She loves reading novels.	17. Novels are loved by her.
18. He cleaned the room.	18. The room was cleaned by him.
19. They opened the window.	19. The window was opened by them.
20. I traveled to Paris last summer.	20. Paris was traveled to by me last summer.

Check Your Understanding of the Active Voice and the Passive Voice

Questions:

1. What is the difference between active and passive voice?

2. Identify whether the following sentences are in active or passive voice:

The teacher explained the lesson.
The book was read by John.
She baked a cake.
The cake was baked by her.
They built a house.
A house was built by them.

3. Can you change the following passive sentences into active voice?

The homework was completed by the student.
The meal was prepared by the chef.
The letter was sent by Maria.

Answers:

1. Difference between active and passive voice:

Active Voice: The subject performs the action.
Passive Voice: The subject receives the action.

2. Identify whether the following sentences are in active or passive voice:

The teacher explained the lesson. → Active Voice
The book was read by John. → Passive Voice
She baked a cake. → Active Voice
The cake was baked by her. → Passive Voice
They built a house. → Active Voice
A house was built by them. → Passive Voice

3. Can you change the following passive sentences into active voice?

The homework was completed by the student. → The student completed the homework.
The meal was prepared by the chef. → The chef prepared the meal.

Best Seller - Grade 12 - JEE

Vedantu JEE 2025 QR Revision Cards – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Flash Cards for JEE Main & Advanced | Quick Concept Recap & Practice Booklet

₹1999.00Sale

₹1499.00

Vedantu JEE Main PYQ Books - Complete Set of 3 for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics | 2023 & 2024 Chapterwise Previous Year Questions | Ideal for JEE Main Preparation | Includes Access to JEE Recorded Lectures

₹1999.00Sale

₹899.00

Vedantu JEE Advanced Rank Accelerator 2025 Books Set Of 3 | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Chapterwise Practice, PYQs, Mock Tests For JEE Advanced Aspirants

₹1999.00Sale

₹1499.00

FAQs on Active and Passive Voice Explained for Students

1. What is active and passive voice in English grammar?

Active and passive voice describe how the subject of a sentence relates to the verb's action. In active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., "The dog chased the ball"). In passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., "The ball was chased by the dog"). The choice depends on what you want to emphasize.

2. What are the key differences between active and passive voice?

The main difference lies in the sentence structure and emphasis. Active voice focuses on the subject performing the action (Subject + Verb + Object). Passive voice emphasizes the action itself or the object receiving the action (Object + be verb + past participle + by + Agent). Active voice is generally more direct and concise.

3. How do I convert a sentence from active to passive voice?

To change from active to passive:

Make the object of the active sentence the subject of the passive sentence.
Use the appropriate form of the verb "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, being, been) based on the tense.
Use the past participle of the main verb.
Add "by + agent" if you want to specify who or what performed the action.

4. What are the rules for changing voice in different tenses?

The rules are consistent across tenses, but the verb "to be" changes form. For example:

Present Simple: Active: He eats; Passive: It is eaten.
Past Simple: Active: She wrote; Passive: It was written.
Present Continuous: Active: They are playing; Passive: It is being played.
Past Continuous: Active: He was reading; Passive: It was being read.
Present Perfect: Active: They have finished; Passive: It has been finished.

Always maintain the tense consistency throughout the sentence.

5. When should I use passive voice instead of active voice?

Use passive voice when:

The doer of the action is unknown or unimportant (e.g., "The window was broken.").
You want to emphasize the action or the object receiving the action (e.g., "The prize was awarded to her.").
You want to sound more formal or impersonal (common in scientific writing).

6. What are some common mistakes to avoid when using passive voice?

Common errors include:

Overusing passive voice, making writing wordy and less engaging.
Using passive voice when active voice would be clearer and more direct.
Incorrectly forming the passive construction (e.g., using the wrong tense of "to be" or the wrong participle).

Strive for balance – use passive voice strategically, not excessively.

7. What is the formula for converting active to passive voice?

There isn't a single formula, but a process: Active: Subject + Verb + Object. Passive: Object + be + Past Participle + by + Subject. Remember that the ‘by + Subject’ part is optional. The tense of 'be' must match the tense of the active verb.

8. How is passive voice used in academic writing?

Passive voice is often used in academic writing to create an objective and impersonal tone. It emphasizes the findings and research rather than the researcher themselves. However, overuse can still hinder clarity and flow. Maintain a good balance.

9. Are there any verbs that cannot be used in the passive voice?

Yes, intransitive verbs, which don't take a direct object, generally cannot be used in the passive voice. For example, "He sleeps" cannot be easily converted to passive form.

10. How can I improve my understanding of active and passive voice?

Practice converting sentences between active and passive voice. Use online exercises and worksheets. Focus on identifying the subject, verb, and object in sentences to understand the transformation process. Analyze examples from various texts. Consistent practice is key.

11. What are some examples of active and passive voice sentences showing the transformation?

Here are some examples illustrating the conversion:

Active: The chef prepared the meal. Passive: The meal was prepared by the chef.
Active: They are building a new school. Passive: A new school is being built by them.
Active: She had written the report. Passive: The report had been written by her.

12. How are active and passive voice questions tested in exams?

Exams often test your understanding through:

Sentence transformation: Converting active to passive or vice versa.
Error identification: Spotting incorrect usage of active or passive voice.
Multiple choice questions: Selecting the correct passive or active voice form of a given sentence.

Preparation should cover all these question types.