Active and Passive

Active and Passive Voice

Definition

Active and Passive Voice describe how the action of a verb relates to the subject and object in a sentence.

In Active Voice, the subject does the action.
In Passive Voice, the subject receives the action.

Example:
Active: Ali wrote a letter.
Passive: A letter was written by Ali.

📌 Simple idea:
Active → doer is important
Passive → action or result is important

 

Structure

Active Voice: Subject + verb + object

Passive Voice: Object + helping verb + past participle (V3) + by + subject

Example:
Active: She writes a letter.
Passive: A letter is written by her.

Five Examples

1. Active: She writes a letter.
   Passive: A letter is written by her.
2. Active: They play cricket.
   Passive: Cricket is played by them.
3. Active: He completed the work.
   Passive: The work was completed by him.
4. Active: The teacher teaches English.
   Passive: English is taught by the teacher.
5. Active: We watch a movie.
   Passive: A movie is watched by us.

Use Cases

When the doer is important:
Active voice is used.
Example: The student solved the problem.

When the action is important:
Passive voice is used.
Example: The problem was solved.

When the doer is unknown:
Passive voice is used.
Example: The window was broken.

In formal or academic writing:
Passive voice is often used.
Example: The lesson was explained clearly.

Common Mistakes

She write a letter → She writes a letter.

A letter written by her → A letter is written by her.

He completed the work → The work was completed by him.

They plays cricket → They play cricket.

The homework did by Ali → The homework was done by Ali.

Tip: Always use past participle (V3) in passive voice.

Exercise Questions

Choose the correct passive form:

1. Ali writes a letter.
   A) A letter is written by Ali
   B) A letter wrote by Ali
   C) A letter is write by Ali
   D) A letter writing by Ali
2. She completed the work.
   A) The work completed by her
   B) The work was completed by her
   C) The work is completed by her
   D) The work has completed by her
3. They play football.
   A) Football played by them
   B) Football is played by them
   C) Football was played by them
   D) Football playing by them
4. The teacher teaches English.
   A) English is taught by the teacher
   B) English taught by the teacher
   C) English teaching by the teacher
   D) English was teach by the teacher
5. He opened the door.
   A) The door was opened by him
   B) The door opened by him
   C) The door is opened by him
   D) The door opening by him

Active and Passive Voice Exercises