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Voice shows the relationship between the subject and the action in a sentence. It tells us whether the subject performs the action or receives it.
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<Active Voice
In Active Voice, the subject is the doer of the action.
Structure
Subject + Verb + Object
Examples
Ram wrote a letter.She reads a book.
They completed the project.
The teacher explains the lesson.>
<Passive Voice
In Passive Voice, the subject is the receiver of the action rather than the doer.
Structure
Object + Form of 'Be' + Past Participle (V³) + (by + Subject)
Examples
A letter was written by Ram.
A book is read by her.
The project was completed by them.
The lesson is explained by the teacher.>
<When is Passive Voice Used?
Passive Voice is commonly used in the following situations:
When the doer is unknown
Example
The window was broken.>
<When the doer is not important
Example
The work has been completed.>
<When the action is more important than the doer
Example
The examination results were announced.
Rules for Changing Active Voice into Passive Voice
Rule 1: Make the Object the Subject
Active: She wrote a letter.
Passive: A letter was written by her.>
<Rules for Changing Active Voice into Passive Voice
Rule 1: Make the Object the Subject
Active: She wrote a letter.
Passive: A letter was written by her.>
<Rule 2: Choose the Correct Form of Be
Use the appropriate helping verb according to the tense.
Examples
is
am
are
was
were
will be
has been
have been
had been>
<Rule 3: Use the Past Participle (V³)
Examples:
write → written
eat → eaten
do → done
speak → spoken
make → made>
<Rule 4: Add by + Doer (if necessary)
The doer may be mentioned if it is important. Otherwise, it can be omitted.
Examples
The work was completed.
The work was completed by Ravi.>
<Voice in Different Tenses
| Tense | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Present | She writes a letter. | A letter is written by her. |
| Past | She wrote a letter. | A letter was written by her. |
| Future | She will write a letter. | A letter will be written by her. > |
<Common Mistakes
Incorrect
❌ A letter was wrote by her.
Correct
✔ A letter was written by her.>
<Incorrect
❌ The work is complete by him.
Correct
✔ The work is completed by him.>
<Quick Revision
- Active Voice → The subject performs the action.
- Passive Voice → The subject receives the action.
- Passive Voice always uses a suitable form of "be" + Past Participle (V³).>
<Easy Memory Tip
Active Voice focuses on the doer.
Passive Voice focuses on the action or the receiver of the action.>