Voice Change
Voice Change
Voice Change
Voice is a grammatical category that applies to the verb in a sentence. It shows the relationship between the doer of an action (Subject) and the receiver of that action (Object). The action remains the same, but the focus changes depending on the context. Mind the following expressions:
1. We eat rice.
2. Rice is eaten by us.
If we mind well, we see that both the sentences have expressed the same meaning though both the sentences differ in form.
In sentence no.1 the Subject (agent/doer of an action) of the verb ‘eat’ is placed at the beginning and takes an active part in doing something himself. It is said to be an Active Voice.
On the other hand in sentence no.2 the Subject of the verb ‘eat’ has not acted himself but is acted upon——it is said to be Passive Voice.
Thus according to the manner or forms of expression Voices are divided into two forms or kinds, as 1. Active Voice and 2. Passive Voice.
An Active Voice may be transformed into a Passive Voice and vice versa. The transformation does not change the meaning of the sentence, it only changes the manner of expression.
Though most sentences are spoken or written in Active form yet on some occasions Passive form is used where:
(i) The importance is given more to the work done than to the doer.
(ii) When the agent or the doer of action remains unknown.
(iii) When it is not necessary to mention the agent.
There are some general Rules for Changing Sentences from Active to Passive as-
(i) The Subject in the Active Voice becomes the Object in the Passive Voice, preceded by Preposition like ‘by’, ‘with, ‘at’, ‘to’.
(ii)The Object in the Active Voice becomes the Subject in the Passive Voice.
(iii) The Finite Verb in the Active Voice is changed into the Past Participle form and used with Auxiliary Verb (to Be).
(iv)The Verb ‘to Be’ takes the tense of the Finite Verb in the Active Voice and agrees to the number and person of the Subject in the Passive Voice.
(v) The Pronouns used as Subjects in Active Voice are changed into Objective forms in Passive Voice as under:
Subjective forms ….. Objective forms
I ….. me
We ….. us
He ….. him
She ….. her
You ….. you
They ….. them
It ….. it
Ram, Rahim (Nouns) ….. Ram, Rahim (no change)
However, there are some minor differences for such changes according to the kinds of sentences.
We know that English Sentences are divided into five kinds, according to the meaning or purpose as: Assertive, Interrogative, Imperative, Exclamatory and Optative. Of all these kinds of Sentences may have Active and Passive forms. Let us discuss the Changing of Voices as under according to kinds of Sentences:
Voice Change
A. Voice Change of Assertive Sentence
A Sentence that makes a statement either positive or negative is called an Assertive Sentence. An Assertive sentence is used to state a fact or to convey a piece of information. Let us illustrate the Voice changes of Assertive sentences in accordance with the twelve Tenses:
Voice Change of Present Indefinite Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We drink tea. (Active)
Tea is drunk by us. (Passive)
The first sentence is in Active Voice and the second sentence is in Passive Voice. Notice that while changing the sentence from Active Voice to Passive Voice the Object of the Active Voice has become the Subject in the Passive Voice (used in Subjective Form) and a suitable ‘Be verb’ (am, is, are) is used after the Subject which agrees to the person and number of the new Subject, then comes the Past Participle form of the Main Verb followed by a preposition ‘by’ and at the end the Objective form of the Subject of Active Voice is used.
Active Formation: Subject + Main Verb (Present form) + Object.
Passive Formation: Object of Active Voice as Subject (Subjective Form) + Be verb (am, is, are) + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + by + Objective form of the Subject of Active Voice.
More Examples:
- I do the sum. (Active)
The sum is done by me. (Passive)
2. We play cricket. (Active)
Cricket is played by us. (Passive)
3. She likes flower. (Active)
Flower is liked by her. (Passive)
4. Kamala sings a song. (Active)
A song is sung by Kamala (Passive)
5. Jenifa breaks the glass. (Active)
The glass is broken by Jenifa. (Passive).
6. I can do this. (Active)
This can be done by me. (Passive)
7. You must do it. (Active)
It must be done by you. (Passive)
Voice Change of Present Continuous Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We are drinking tea. (Active)
Tea is being drunk by us. (Passive)
Active form: Subject + Present from of ‘Be Verb’ (am, is, are) + Main Verb- ing + Object.
Passive form: object (Subjective form) + be Verb (am, is, are according to the number and person of the new Subject) + being + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + by + Subject (Objective form).
More Examples :
You are eating rice. (Active)
Rice is being eaten by you. (Passive)
She is reading the Ramayana. (Active)
The Ramayana is being read by him. (Passive)
I am drinking a glass of cold water. (Active)
A glass of cold water is being drunk by me. (Passive)
Kanak is writing a letter. (Active)
A letter is being written by Kanak. (Passive)
Voice Change of Present Perfect Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We have drunk tea. (Active)
Tea has been drunk by us. (Passive)
Active form: Subject + have/has + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + Object.
Passive Form: Object (Subjective Form) + have/has + been + M.V. (Past Participle form) + by + subject (Objective form).
Sita has lost the new pencil. (Active)
The new pencil has been lost by Sita. (Passive)
They have eaten an apple (Active)
An apple has been eaten by them. (Passive)
I have killed mice. (Active)
Mice have been killed by me. (Passive)
We have done the work. (Active)
The work has been done by us. (Passive)
Voice Change of Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We have been drinking tea. (Active)
Tea has been being drunk by us. (Passive)
Active Form: Subject + have/has + been + Main Verb -ing + Object.
Passive form: Object (Subjective form) + have/has + been + being + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + by + Subject (Objective form).
More Examples:
Tapan has been building a house. (Active)
A house has been being built by Tapan. (Passive)
Arup has been writing a letter. (Active)
A letter has been being written by Arup. (Passive)
I have been eating a mango. (Active)
A mango has been being eaten by me. (Passive)
He has been making a kite. (Active)
A kite has been being made by him. (Passive)
Voice Change of Past Indefinite Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We drank tea. (Active)
Tea was drunk by us. (Passive)
Active form: Subject + Past form of the Main Verb + object.
Passive form: Object (Subjective form) + Past form of be Verb (‘was’/’were’ according to the number and person of the subject) + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + by + Subject (Objective form).
I ate an apple. (Active)
An apple was eaten by me. (Passive)
Shila wrote a book. (Active)
A book was written by Shila. (Passive)
We drank a glass of hot milk. (Active)
A glass of hot milk was drunk by us. (Passive)
Voice Change of Past Continuous Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We were drinking tea. (Active)
Tea was being drunk by us. (Passive)
Active form: Subject + Past form of Be Verb (was/were) +Main Verb-ing + Object.
Passive form: Object as Subject + Past form of Be Verb (was/were) + being + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + by + Subject as Object.
More Examples:
Azad was throwing a bottle. (Active)
A bottle was being thrown by Azad. (Passive)
Jerifa was giving a book. (Active)
A book was being given by Jerifa. (Passive)
I was drinking a cup of butter. (Active)
A cup of butter was being drunk by me. (Passive)
Nina was playing ball. (Active)
Ball was being played by Nina. (Passive)
Voice Change of Past Perfect Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We had drunk tea. (Active)
Tea had been drunk by us. (Passive)
Active form: Subject + had + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + object.
Passive form: Object as Subject + had + been + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + by + Subject as Object.
More Examples:
Java had finished the lesson. (Active)
The lesson had been finished by Java. (Passive)
The girl had misused the Berol. (Active)
The Berol had been misused by the girl. (Passive)
We had built a house. (Active)
A house had been built by us. (Passive)
A boy had broken the bottle. (Active)
The bottle had been broken by a boy. (Passive)
Voice Change of Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We had been drinking tea. (Active)
Tea had been being drunk by us. (Passive)
Active form: Subject + had + been + Main Verb-ing +Object.
Passive form: Object as Subject + had + been + being + Past Participle of the Main Verb + by + Subject as Object.
More Examples:
He had been doing his duty. (Active)
His duty had been being done by him. (Passive)
Sabina had been writing the lesson. (Active)
The lesson had been being written by Sabina. (Passive)
Fatima had been drinking coffee. (Active)
Coffee had been being drunk by Fatima. (Passive)
Voice Change of The Future Indefinite Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We shall drink tea. (Active)
Tea will be drunk by us. (Passive)
Active form: Subject + shall/will + Main Verb + Object.
Passive form: Object as Subject + shall/will + be + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + by + Subject as Object.
More Examples:
Nabin will do the work. (Active)
The work will be done by Nabin. (Passive)
You will help me. (Active)
I shall be helped by you. (Passive)
They will speak the truth. (Active)
The truth will be spoken by them. (Passive)
Voice Change of Future Continuous Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We shall be drinking tea. (Active)
Tea will be being drunk by us. (Passive)
Active form: Subject + shall/will + be + Main Verb -ing + Object.
Passive form: Object as Subject + shall/will + be + being + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + by + Subject as Object.
More Examples:
Fida Hussain will be drawing a picture. (Active)
A picture will be being drawn by Fida Hussain. (Passive)
Shahin will be writing a letter. (Active)
A letter will be being written by Shahin. (Passive)
I shall be doing the sums. (Active)
The sums will be being done by me. (Passive)
Voice Change of Future Perfect Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We shall have drunk tea. (Active)
Tea will have been drunk by us. (Passive)
Active form: Subject + shall/will + have + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + Object.
Passive form: Object as Subject+shall/will+have+ been+Past Participle form of the Main Verb+Subject as Object.
More Examples:
They will have done their duties. (Active)
Their duties will have been done by them. (Passive)
Mother will have finished the lesson. (Active)
The lesson will have been finished by mother. (Passive)
She will have done this. (Active)
This will have been done by her. (Passive)
He will have read the book. (Active)
The book will have been read by him. (Passive)
Voice Change of Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Mind the following sentences:
We shall have been drinking tea. (Active)
Tea will have been being drunk by us. (Passive)
Active form: Subject + shall/will + have + been + Main Verb-ing + Object.
Passive form: Object as Subject + shall/will + have + been + being + Past Participle form of the Main Verb + by + Subject as Object.
More Examples:
I shall have been doing the work. (Active)
The work will have been being done by me. (Passive)
We shall have been eating the apples. (Active)
The apples will have been being eaten by us. (Passive)
Manab will have been reading the Koran. (Active)
The Koran will have been being read by Manab. (Passive)
N. B. The Future Perfect Tense and The Future Perfect Continuous Tense are rarely used.
Voice Change
B. Voice Change of Interrogative Sentence
A Sentence that asks a question is called an Interrogative Sentence.
(i) The Assertive Sentences which are transformed into Interrogative Sentences by placing the Auxiliary Verb before the Subject abides by all the general Rules as laid down earlier while changing them from Active to Passive. The only exception is that the Auxiliary Verb is placed before the Subject in the Passive Voice.
Mind the following sentences:
- Have I lost a book? (Active)
Has a book been lost by me? (Passive)
2. Shall we do the work? (Active)
Will the work be done by us? (Passive)
3. Had they played cricket? (Active)
Had cricket been played by them? (Passive)
4. Were we eating oranges? (Active)
Were oranges being eaten by us? (Passive)
5. Is Shilpa eating an apple? (Active)
Is an apple being eaten by Shilpa? (Passive)
(ii) The Interrogative Sentences which are formed by adding ‘do’, ‘did’ or ‘does’ before the Subject abides by all the general Rules as laid down earlier while changing from Active to Passive Voices. The only exception is that some Be Verb (is, am or are) is placed before the Subject in accordance with the person, number and tense of the new Subject in Passive Voice. (‘Do’ is used with the Present Indefinite Tense ‘did’ is used with the Past Indefinite Tense and ‘Does’ is used with the Subject in the Third Person singular in the Present Indefinite Tense.) Mind the following examples:
1. Does Karishma drink a glass of coffee? (Active)
Is a glass of coffee drunk by Karishma? (Passive)
2. Did Seema build the house? (Active)
Was the house built by Seema? (Passive)
3. Do you buy the pen? (Active)
Is the pen bought by you? (Passive)
4. Does Ranaki write a letter? (Active)
Is a letter written by Ranaki? (Passive)
5. Did Hari write a novel?
Was a novel written by Hari?
(v) The words: who, what, why, how, and when are called Question Words. While changing an Interrogative sentence begun with any of these Question words from Active Voice to Passive Voice the Question word retains its place at the beginning of the sentence and then abides by all the rules as laid down already. Mind the following examples:
How have you done the sum? (Active)
How has the sum been done by you? (Passive)
What is Ram doing? (Active)
What is being done by Ram? (Passive)
Why do you write it? (Active)
Why is it written by you? (Passive)
Who teaches you English? (Active)
By whom is English taught you? (Passive)
Who gave you the purse? (Active)
By whom were you given the purse? (Passive)
Note: If the Question word ‘who’ is used as the Subject in the Active Voice then in the Passive Voice the Objective form of the Question word is used.
Voice Change
C. Voice Change of Imperative Sentence
An Imperative Sentence is a sentence with which an order, direction, command or request is issued. In an Imperative sentence the Subject word ‘you’ remains understood.
(i) To change an Imperative sentence from Active Voice to Passive Voice the ‘Let’ verb is used at the beginning of the sentence, then comes the Object of the Active voice which is followed by ‘be’ and then the Past Participle form of the Main Verb is used. Mind the following examples:
Drink the cup of milk. (Active)
Let the cup of milk be drunk. (Passive)
Active form: (Subject – Understood) + Main Verb (Present Form) + Object.
Passive form: Let + Object + be + Past Participle form of the main Verb.
More Examples:
1. Do the work. (Active)
Let the work be done. (Passive)
2. Close the window. (Active)
Let the window be closed. (Passive)
3. Open the door. (Active)
Let the door be opened. (Passive)
4. Give me a glass of cold water. (Active)
Let a glass of cold water be given me. (Passive)
Note: If there is the name of a person as a Subject word in an Active Voice then the name is retained in the Passive Voice. Mind the Following example:
Sangita, sing a song.
Let a song be sung, Sangita.
or
Sangita, let a song be sung.
or
Let a song be sung by Sangita.
Ram, do the sum. (Active)
Let the sum be done by Ram. (Passive)
or
Let the work be done, Ram.
Sabina, bring a glass. (Active)
Let a glass be brought by Sabina. (Passive)
(ii) While changing an Imperative Sentence having the word ‘please’ we use ‘you are requested’ in place of ‘please’ in Passive Voice. For example:
- Please, bring me a glass of milk.
You are requested to bring me a glass of milk.
2. Please help the needy.
You are requested to help the needy.
3. Please, come here immediately. (Active)
You are requested to come here immediately. (Passive)
4. Please have a cup of tea. (Active)
You are requested to have a cup of tea.
(iii) If the Imperative Sentence is negative then it is changed into Passive Voice as :
Please do not do the work. (Active)
You are requested not to do the work. (Passive)
Don’t make a noise. (Active)
Let no noise be made. (Passive)
Voice Change
D. Voice Change of Optative and Exclamatory Sentence
There is no specific rule for changing Optative and Exclamatory sentences into Passive Voice. Such sentences are to be changed from Active to Passive Voice following the Rules laid down for the other kinds of sentences. Mind the following examples:
1. May God bless you. (Active)
You might be blessed by God. (Passive)
2. Oh, what a kindness she has shown. (Active)
Oh, what kindness had been shown by her. (Passive)
Voice Change
E. Miscellaneous
(i) Generally an Intransitive verb has no voice change. But a sentence with a Group Verb or Cognate Object may be changed into Passive Voice, as:
Deepa joked at Hena. (Active)
Hena was joked at by Deepa. (Passive)
I laughed at him. (Active)
He was laughed at by me. (Passive)
I dreamt a dream, (Active)
A dream was dreamt by me. (Passive)
Jenny ran a race. (Active)
A race was run by Jenny. (Passive)
(ii) If there is any of the modal verbs: ‘can’, ‘may’, and ‘must’ then in the Passive Voice only ‘be’ (of Be Verb) is used after the modal verb and then the Past Participle form of the Principal Verb is used after it in addition to abiding by all the General Rules. Notice the following examples:
Shahin may give the book. (Active)
The book may be given by Shahin. (Passive)
She must do the work. (Active)
The work must be done by her. (Passive)
You can do the sum. (Active)
The sum can be done by you. (Passive)
He may support you. (Active)
You may be supported by him. (Passive)
Can Rani do this? (Active)
Can this be done by Rani? (Passive)
(iii) Some sentence consists of two Objects: one is an Inanimate (non-living) Object and the other is an Animate (living) Object. The Inanimate Object is called Direct Object and the Animate Object is called the Indirect Object. While changing a sentence consisting of two objects only one object is used as Subject in the Passive Voice and the other remains as Object and which remains as Object in the Passive voice is called Retained Object. Mind the Following examples:
1. My father gives me a shirt. (Active)
(a) A shirt is given me by my father. (Passive)
(b) I am given a shirt by my father. (Passive)
2. I teach the students English. (Active)
(a) English is taught the students by me. (Passive)
(b) The students are taught English by me.
3. Lama asked me a question. (Active)
(a) A question was asked me by Lama. (Passive)
(b) I was asked a question by Lama. (Passive)
Note: The Transitive Verbs that generally take two objects are: tell, speak, ask, send, give, bring, buy, show, teach, lend and promise.
(iv) There are some sentences where there is no mention of the doers. Such sentences are turned into Passive from Active as under:
People Called Stalin Steel-man. (Active)
Stalin was called steel-man. (Passive)
People call Mohandas “Mahatma”. (Active)
Mohandas is called “Mahatma”. (Passive)
(vii) Some statements are to be made Passive only for the sake of expression:
1. Books are printed on paper.
2. Petrol is found in Assam.
3. Gold is discovered in the sand of Sahara.
4. The book was bought.
5. The scheme was brought into action.
6. The godown was ransacked.
7. The stalls were kept open.
(ix) To turn an Interrogative sentence into the Passive Voice, it should at first be turned into an Assertive Sentence and then changing the voice it should again be turned into an Interrogative sentence.
1. Did Manisha do this? (Active)
This was done by Manisha. (Assertive)
Was this done by Manisha?(Passive/Interrogative)
2. Does she write a book? (Active)
She writes a book. (Assertive)
A book is written by her. (Passive)
Is a book written by her?
(x) There are some expressions the Object of which cannot be used as Subject in the Passive Voice, as:
1. She shot herself. (Active)
She was shot by herself. (Passive)
2. Rebeca hurt herself. (Active)
Rebeca was hurt by herself. (Passive)
3. Rabana killed himself. (Active)
Rabana was killed by himself. (Passive)
(xi) There are some Verbs in English that are Active in form but passive in sense. Such verbs are called Quasi- passive Verbs:
1. This pen writes well.
2. The flower is sweet when it is smelt.
3. Honey tastes sweet.
4. The rose smells nice.
Note: Some Quasi-passive Verbs are: smell, taste, build, write etc.
(xii) The Impersonal ‘It’ is used in the Passive Voice with Verbs like- expect, know, hope, say, find, fear, think etc.
It is hoped that I will win the race.
It is said that honesty pays in the long run.
It is thought that the end will meet its means.
It is expected that she will secure the First Division. 0 0 0.
Voice Change
EXERCISE
1. Change the voice of the following sentences:
(i) We drink milk. (ii) We will do it. (iii) He has drunk the glass of water. (iv) Jim Corbett killed the tiger. (v) Birds build nests. (vi) Go there at once. (vi Herry Jackson teaches us English. (vii) He did the work. (viii) Open the door. (ix) The bird is seen. (x) He did it.
2. Turn into Passive Voice:
(i) He helped all. (ii) She is cooking rice. (iii) Hima sang a sweet song. (iv) She was doing the work. (v) He has just finished work. (vi) I shall do it. (vii) He bought a new pen. (viii) He teaches us Latin. (ix) Lila is writing a letter. (x) He is making a noise.
3. Change the Voice of the following:
(i) He liked the piece of cloth. (ii) I have spent all my pocket money. (iii) Someone has stolen my umbrella. (iv) The tailor has not stretched my shirt. (v) The Headmaster gave us a prize. (vi) I know your father. (vii) Can you do this sum? (viii)Who has done this mischief? (ix) Go there and see the sight. (x) Hari helped the poor boy. (xi) He is writing a novel. (xii) Do you know his brother? (xiii) Who can do it? (xiv) Please do the work? (xv) Someone had cheated her. (xvi) We are made slaves by our habits.
4. Change the Voice of the following sentences:
(i) I see a bird. (ii) Ram reads the Bible. (iii) People play football everywhere. (iv) The hunter killed the tiger. (v) You must do it. (vi) He knows them. (vii) I am reading the Geeta. (viii) Mr Kakati teaches us English. (ix) The cow gives us milk. (x) Do this. (xi) Shut the door. (xi) Call in a doctor. (xii) Mend your manners. (xiii) Put up a tent. (xiv) He ran a race. (xv) She dreamt a happy dream. (xvi) Haren laughs at the beggar. (xvii) He worked out the sum. (xviii) You see the moon. (xix) Who shut the window? (xx) Who said this? (xxi) How did you do the sum? (xxii) He hurt himself. (xxiii) They made him king. (xxiv) Who will bell the cat? (xxv) The farmers have reaped the harvest. (xxvi) The lady had sold her old car. (xxvii) All living beings need food. (xxviii) Lalita has been doing her job. (xxix) He will have been doing this. (xxx) I was compelled to do this.
5. Turn into Passive Voice:
(i) We saw him talking to the Station Master. (ii)I could see someone sitting on a cot. (iii) I will buy tickets for your journey. (iv) He paid forty rupees for the lunch. (v) I got the name Rubel from my grandfather. (vi) They had brought the boy to the city. (vii) Everyone tells you this. (viii) He looked upon them with respect. (ix) Who was that lady looking for? (x) Do not insult the poor. (xi)The court found him innocent. (xii) What is butter made from? (xiii) He is making a new house. (xiv) Reba has lost her pen. (xv) Shakila will have undertaken the mission.
6. Turn the following sentences from Passive into Active:
(i) His pen has been stolen. (ii) He is known to us. (iii) The poor must not be looked down upon. (iv) Gandhiji is called the Father of Modern India. (v) He is annoyed at your misbehaviour. (vi) A lot of tea is grown in Assam. (vi) A lot of cotton is grown in Egypt. (vii) ‘Abhijnan Sakuntalam’ was written by Kalidas. (viii) How will that be done? (ix) What will have been done by them? (x) What cannot be cured must be endured. (xi) Duty must be done. (xii) His leg was hurt in an accident. (xiii) Indiscipline should not be tolerated. (xiv) He was voted to the chair. (xv) Rome was not built in a day. (xvi) You cannot undo what you do. (xvii) A promise should be kept. (xviii) Circumstances compelled me to go. (xix) He let himself be cheated. (xx) Let not the wall be broken.
7. Change the voice of the following:
(i) Who has not help you? (ii) Who will not trust an honest man? (iii) Is her homework done? (iv) Have you done the work? (v) Who built the Tajmahal? (vi) Can we do the work? (vii) Will the sum be done by you? (viii) Have you done the work? (ix) Is a letter being written by her? (x) Let me have a talk with you. (xi) He does the work. (xii) Let the window be closed. (xiii) By whom was it done? (xiv) Give up bad habits. (xv) He gave me a book.
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N.B. The article “Voice Change’ originally belongs to the book ‘School English Grammar Part- I‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Composition by M. Menonimus:
- Advertisement Writing
- Amplification Writing
- Note Making
- Paragraph Writing
- Notice Writing
- Passage Comprehension
- The Art of Poster Writing
- The Art of Letter Writing
- Report Writing
- Story Writing
- Substance Writing
- School Essays Part-I
- School Essays Part-II
- School English Grammar Part-I
- School English Grammar Part-II..
Books on Linguistics by M. Menonimus:
- A Brief History of the English Language
- Essays on Linguistics
- My Imageries
- Felicitous Expression: Some Examples
- Learners’ English Dictionary
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Ram drinks a glass of water