How to Change Voice in English Grammar?
Voice change exercises for class 10 help students learn to switch between active and passive voice in English. This skill is important for school exams, CBSE and other board assessments, and for writing clear English in daily life. Mastering these exercises builds confidence for both written and spoken English.
| Sentence Type | Active Voice Example | Passive Voice Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | The teacher explains the lesson. | The lesson is explained by the teacher. |
| Simple Past | The chef cooked dinner. | Dinner was cooked by the chef. |
| Present Continuous | The students are writing essays. | Essays are being written by the students. |
| Imperative | Close the door. | Let the door be closed. |
| Question | Did he solve the puzzle? | Was the puzzle solved by him? |
What Is Voice Change in English Grammar?
Voice change in English grammar means rewriting a sentence so that the focus switches from the subject (active) to the object (passive), or vice versa. It involves moving the object to the front and using the correct verb form. Practicing voice change exercises for class 10 improves clarity and exam marks.
Key Rules for Changing Voice
- Identify the subject, verb, and object in the sentence.
- Move the object of the active sentence into the subject's position in the passive sentence.
- Use the correct tense form of “to be” plus the past participle of the verb.
- Add “by” before the original subject if needed for clarity.
- Remember: Only sentences with a direct object can be converted to passive voice.
Active Voice to Passive Voice: Exercise Table
| Active Voice Sentence | Passive Voice Sentence |
|---|---|
| The scientist discovered a new element. | A new element was discovered by the scientist. |
| The teacher gave the students homework. | Homework was given to the students by the teacher. |
| The gardener plants flowers every spring. | Flowers are planted by the gardener every spring. |
| The police caught the thief. | The thief was caught by the police. |
| They will announce the results tomorrow. | The results will be announced by them tomorrow. |
Passive Voice to Active Voice: Practice Table
| Passive Voice Sentence | Active Voice Sentence |
|---|---|
| The cake was baked by my mother. | My mother baked the cake. |
| The homework was completed by the students. | The students completed the homework. |
| The letter has been sent by the secretary. | The secretary has sent the letter. |
| The song was sung by the choir. | The choir sang the song. |
| The room will be cleaned by the staff. | The staff will clean the room. |
Common Mistakes in Voice Change Exercises
- Forgetting to change the verb form to a past participle in the passive.
- Leaving out “by” before the doer in passive sentences.
- Attempting to change sentences without objects (intransitive verbs).
- Switching tenses incorrectly during transformation.
- Missing the subject-object swap between active and passive voice.
Voice Change Exercises for Class 10: Short Practice List
- Convert: The engineer designed the new software. → The new software was designed by the engineer.
- Convert: The cake was eaten by the guests. → The guests ate the cake.
- Identify: The garden was watered by the gardener. (Passive)
- Convert: Write the answers on your own. → Let the answers be written on your own.
- Convert: Did you break the window? → Was the window broken by you?
Why Practice Voice Change for Class 10?
Practicing voice change exercises for class 10 is helpful for exam preparation, building solid writing skills, and understanding how meaning can shift depending on sentence structure. At Vedantu, we provide simple examples and rules to make these grammar concepts easier for students.
Voice change exercises for class 10 teach you to switch between active and passive voice for clearer English. They support exam success and better writing. Remember to check subjects, verbs, and objects, and always match the correct tense. Regular practice leads to fewer mistakes and boosts confidence in school English.
FAQs on Voice Change Exercises for Class 10 with Answers
1. What is the difference between active and passive voice?
In active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., "The cat chased the mouse"). In passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., "The mouse was chased by the cat"). The key difference lies in who or what is performing the action and who or what is receiving it.
2. Why are voice change exercises important for Class 10?
Voice change exercises improve your understanding of sentence structure and grammar. They help you write clearly and concisely by showing how to shift the focus of a sentence. Mastering voice change is crucial for achieving high marks in English exams.
3. How do I convert an active voice sentence to passive voice?
To change from active to passive voice:
- Identify the object of the active sentence.
- Move the object to the subject position.
- Use the appropriate form of the verb "to be" + the past participle of the main verb.
- Include the original subject with "by" (unless it's unimportant).
4. Can every active voice sentence be converted to passive voice?
No. Only sentences with a direct object can be converted to passive voice. Sentences without an object (e.g., "She sleeps well") cannot be changed.
5. How do I determine if a sentence is active or passive?
Check if the sentence emphasizes the subject performing the action (active) or the action being performed on the subject (passive). Look for the helping verb forms of “to be” (is, am, are, was, were, being, been) followed by a past participle.
6. What are common mistakes in voice change exercises?
Common errors include incorrect verb tenses, misplaced "by" phrases, and forgetting to change the subject-object structure completely.
7. How can I effectively practice voice change?
Practice regularly by converting sentences, identifying voice types, and creating your own examples. Use online resources and textbooks for additional practice exercises. Focus on various sentence types, including imperative and interrogative sentences.
8. What's the purpose of changing sentence voice?
Changing voice alters the emphasis in a sentence. Active voice emphasizes the subject's action, while passive voice emphasizes the action or its effect on the subject. This improves writing clarity and flow.
9. How to master voice change for exams?
Practice consistently with diverse sentence structures. Review the rules for different tenses and sentence types. Pay close attention to verb conjugations and subject-object agreement. Use past papers and sample tests for exam-style practice.
10. How does voice change help in English exams?
Understanding voice change improves your grammar skills, essential for writing and comprehension. It helps you construct clear and grammatically correct sentences, leading to better scores. It's frequently tested in grammar sections of most exams.
11. How are modal verbs handled in passive voice?
For modal verbs (can, could, may, might, should, would, must), use the structure: Modal verb + be + past participle. For example, "She can solve the problem" becomes "The problem can be solved by her."
12. Does changing voice alter sentence meaning?
No, changing the voice doesn't change the core meaning. It simply shifts the emphasis from the actor (subject) to the action or its recipient (object). The underlying information remains the same.
