Active and Passive Voice: In grammar, the voice of a verb describes the relationship between the action that the verb expresses and the participants identified by its arguments (subject, object etc.)
Active and Passive Voice Exercises for Class 10 ICSE With Answers
Looking for an easy way to Learning of English Grammar Exercises for Class 10 ICSE. You have to learn basic English Grammer topics like Tenses Verbs, Nouns, etc… In this article, we will review the best English Grammer Topics and compare them against each other.
When the subject is the agent or doer (performer) of the action, the sentence begins with the subject. This means ‘subject’ is of prime importance or is ‘active’ in the sentence. Then the verb is said to be in Active voice.
Examples:
(a) Nidhi purchases a chandelier.
(b) Sanobar has composed a nice song.
In active voice, since the subject is an active agent, the ‘verb’ should be in accordance with the ‘subject’.
When the subject is a passive undergoes (or receiver) of the action and the object is of more importance and ‘he sentence begins with it, the verb is said to be in Passive voice.
Examples:
(a) A chandelier is purchased by Nidhi.
(b) A nice song has been composed by Sanobar.
In passive voice, the ‘verb’ should be in accordance with the ‘object’.
Subject, Verb and Object
• The doer of an action is called ‘subject’.
• The action done by the subject is represented by a ‘verb’.
• The receiver of the action done by the subject is called the ‘object’.
Now, examine the following sentences carefully
Raghav sold his old car. (Active voice)
His old car was sold by Raghav. (Passive voice)
What is the action being performed in both the sentences? — Selling = Verb
Who is selling? — Raghav = Subject
What is being sold? — Old car = Object
No matter whether the sentence begins with ‘Raghav’ or ‘His old car’, the performer of the action of selling is ‘Raghav’. Therefore ‘Raghav’ is the subject.
And the sentence beginning with the subject ‘Raghav’ i.e. Raghav sold his old car, is in active voice whereas the sentence beginning with ‘His old car’, the receiver of the action (object) i.e. His old car was sold by Raghav is in passive voice.
So, now, it is crystal clear that if you understand who the performer of the action is, it becomes very easy to decide whether the sentence you want to form will follow the syntax of Active or Passive voice.
Change of Voice
While changing a verb from Active voice to Passive voice, the following general rules should be followed :
(i) The object of the active verb is made the subject of ‘ the passive verb.
(ii)The subject of the active verb is made the object of the passive verb.
This object is preceded by a preposition mostly ‘by’; in some cases, ‘to’ or ‘with’. It will be elucidated further in the chapter.
(iii) The passive voice must contain the third form of the main or finite verb.
(iv) Helping verb is placed before the main verb.
(v) The tense of the verb does not change.
(vi) The form of the verb is changed according to the tense.
Change of Persons
Subject | Object |
I | Me |
We | Us |
You | You |
He | Him |
| She | Her |
| They | Them |
| Name(Jay/Mayur) | Name remains as it is (Jay/Mayur) |
Change of Verb According to Tense
Transformation of Active Voice Into Passive Voice
Present Tense
Simple Present Tense
Active : S + V1 + O
Passive : ‘O’ + am/is/are + V3 + by + ‘S’
Examples:
(a) I bake a cake today. (Active voice)
A cake is baked by me today. (Passive voice)
(b) NDTV launches gadgets360.com soon. (Active voice)
Gadgets360.com is launched soon by NDTV. (Passive voice)
(c) The jury will declare the results in a few minutes. (Active voice)
The results will be declared in a few minutes by the jury. (Passive voice)
(d) Anushka and Neha learn Salsa. (Active voice)
Salsa is learnt by Anushka and Neha. (Passive voice)
(e) The archaeologists study the fossils. (Active voice)
The fossils are studied by the archaeologists. (Passive voice)
Present Continuous Tense
Active : S + am/is/are + V1 + ing + O
Passive : O + am/is/are + being + V3 + by + S
(a) Rishabh is painting the portrait of a lady. (Active voice)
The portrait of a lady is being painted by Rishabh. (Passive voice)
(b) The police are investigating the matter. (Active voice)
The matter is being investigated by the police. (Passive voice)
(c) She is preparing the list of guests for the party. (Active voice)
The list of guests for the party is being prepared by her. (Passive voice)
(d) Indian scientists are developing the technology against data hacking. (Active voice)
The technology against data hacking is being developed by Indian scientists. (Passive voice)
(e) The secretary of the manager is preparing the agenda of the meeting. (Active voice)
The agenda of the meeting is being prepared by the secretary of the manager. (Passive voice)
Present Perfect Tense
Active : S + has/have + V3 + O
Passive : O + has/have + been + V3 + by + S
(a) Ovi has changed the channel on TV. (Active voice)
The channel on TV has been changed by Ovi. (Passive voice)
(b) Anurag Basu has made a few very good movies. (Active voice)
A few very good movies have been made by Anurag Basu. (Passive voice)
(c) They have auctioned ‘Shabnam Villa’ (Active voice)
‘Shabnam Villa’ has been auctioned by them. (Passive voice)
(d) Nitika and Vihaan have revealed their secrets. (Active voice)
Their secrets have been revealed by Nitika and Vihaan. (Passive voice)
(e) This book has incorporated all the important topics. (Active voice)
All the important topics have been incorporated by this book. (Passive voice)
Past Tense
Simple Past Tense
Active : S + V2 + O
Passive : O + was/were + V3 + by + S
(a) We submitted the assignments last week. (Active voice)
The assignments were submitted last week by us. (Passive voice)
(b) Sakshi cracked GRE at the very first attempt. (Active voice)
GRE was cracked at the very first attempt by Sakshi. (Passive voice)
(c) India won last Hockey World Cup many years back. (Active voice)
Last Hockey World Cup was won many years back by India. (Passive voice)
(d) Vansh grabbed four prizes at the Inter School competitions. (Active voice)
Four prizes were grabbed by Vansh at the Inter-school competition. (Passive voice)
(e) My father purchased this car in the year 1997. (Active voice)
This car was purchased in the year 1997 by my father. (Passive voice)
Past Continuous Tense
Active : S + was/were + V1 + ing + O
Passive : O + was/were + being + V3 + by + S
(a) He was practising Hinduism. (Active voice)
Hinduism was being practised by him. (Passive voice)
(b) Sumi was counting stars in the sky. (Active voice)
Stars in the sky were being counted by Sumi. (Passive voice)
(c) They were flying kites. (Active voice)
Kites were being flown by them. (Passive voice)
(d) Sejal and Mahima were planting trees in the garden. (Active voice)
Trees were being planted in the garden by Sejal and Mahima. (Passive voice)
(e) Radha was searching something in the cupboard. (Active voice)
Something was being searched in the cupboard by Radha. (Passive voice)
3. Past Perfect Tense
Active: S + had + V3 + O
Passive: O + had been + V3 + by + S
(a) I had already done this. (Active voice)
This had been already / had already been done by me. (Passive voice)
(b) He had tolerated much before coming to this city. (Active voice)
Much had been tolerated by him before coming to this city. (Passive voice)
(c) Sahil had sent the invitation letter. (Active voice)
The invitation letter had been sent by Sahil. (Passive voice)
(d) Noorjahan had learnt many recipes of Chinese food. (Active voice)
Many recipes of Chinese food had been learnt by Noorjahan. (Passive voice)
(e) Rudra had not accepted the offer. (Active voice)
The offer had not been accepted by Rudra. (Passive voice)
Future Tense
Simple Future Tense
Active : S + shall/will + V1 + O
Passive : O + shall/will + be + V3 + by + S
(a) He will manipulate her. (Active voice)
She will be manipulated by him. (Passive voice)
(b) We will find out a solution. (Active voice)
A solution will be found out by us. (Passive voice)
(c) Trespassers shall not use this road. (Active voice)
This road shalii not be used by trespassers. (Passive voice)
(d) God will endow him with the power of speech one day. (Active voice)
He will be endowed with the power of speech by God one day. (Passive voice)
(e) The boss will not entertain his lame excuses. (Active voice)
His lame excuses will not be entertained by the boss. (Passive voice)
Future Perfect Tense
Active : S + shall/will have + V3 + O
Passive : O + shall/will have + been + V3 + by + S
(a) Mother will have prepared delicious lunch. (Active voice)
Delicious lunch will have been prepared by mother. (Passive voice)
(b) You will have won the game. (Active voice)
The game will have been won by you. (Passive voice)
(c) India will have eradicated illiteracy by 2020. (Active voice)
Illiteracy will have been eradicated by 2020 by India. (Passive voice)
(d) Shanu will have eaten up all the chocolates. (Active voice)
All the chocolates will have been eaten up by Shanu. (Passive voice)
(e) Miheer will have surprised her. (Active voice)
She will have been surprised by Miheer. (Passive voice)
Miscellaneous Changes
Changes with Modals
(can, could, may, might, should, would etc)
be + Past Participle
(a) They may change your seat. (Active voice)
Your seat may be changed by them. (Passive voice)
(b) I can do this. (Active voice)
This can be done by me. (Passive voice)
Interrogative Sentences
In interrogative sentences, the ‘auxiliary’ or the ‘wh-word’ that forms the question remains at its place, the question mark also remains at the end of the sentence. The rest of the changes (like interchange of places of subject and object) take place the same way as in the case of assertive sentences.
• Only ‘who’ changes to ‘by whom’ since it acts as the subject itself.
Yes-No Type Questions
Active Voice | Passive Voice |
| Do you like apples? (simple present tense) | Are apples liked by you? |
| Has she done her homework? | Has her homework been done by her? |
| Were you Calling Manu? | Was Manu being called by you? according to object ‘Manu’, |
| Will she earn name and fame? | Will name and fame be earned by her? |
| Did Tejal receive the letter? | Was the letter received by Tejal? |
Wh-Type Questions
(a) What do you need? (Active voice)
What is needed by you? (Passive voice)
I need a phone. (Active voice)
A phone is needed by me. (Passive voice)
(b) Where did she purchase this bag from? (Active voice)
From where was this bag purchased by her? (Passive voice)
(did + purchase make simple past tense, therefore was purchased and by her. Also, wh-word remains at its place and the question remains a question)
(c) Who cooked that? (Active voice)
By whom was that cooked? (Passive voice)
(d) When is she joining office? (Active voice)
When is office being joined by her? (Passive voice)
(e) Who do you trust? (Active voice)
Who is/are trusted by you? (Passive voice)
Imperative Sentences:
Imperative sentences are of three kinds.
(i) Orders/Commands
To convert these sentences into Passive used followed by ‘be + Past participle’.
Examples:
(a) Pass the book (Active voice)
Let the book be passed. (Passive voice)
(b) Close the door (Active voice)
Let the door be closed. (Passive voice)
(ii) Requests
In case of requests, the Passive voice begins with the implicit subject i.e. ‘you’, as ‘You are requested to ………..’
(a) Please, give me some water. (Active voice)
You are requested to give me some water. (Passive voice)
(b) Please, tell the answer. (Active voice)
You are requested to tell the answer. (Passive voice)
(iii) Advice/ Suggestions
‘Help the poor’, ‘Love animals’ are not the orders though they begin with a verb. They are either an advice or a suggestion.
And the implicit subject is ‘you’ i.e. the second person. Therefore, these sentences actually mean
(a) ‘You should help the poor’.
(b) ‘You should love animals’.
Therefore their passive voice will be:
- The poor should be helped (by you).
- Children should be loved (by you).
These can also be done as:
- You are advised to help the poor.
- You are advised to love children.
Changes with Prepositions:
Prepositions used with the verbs in Active voice are retained in Passive voice.
Active Voice
(a) Yuvi does not listen to the instructions carefully.
(b) Why is everybody staring at her?
(c) Pay attention to the news.
(d) We need to sort this out.
(e) They saw him off at the railway station.
Passive Voice
(a) The instructions are not listened to carefully by Yuvi.
(b) Why is she being started at by everybody?
(c) Let the news be paid attention to.
(d) This needs to be sorted out.
(e) He was seen off at the railway station by them.
Some Important Exceptions
(a) I know her name. (Active voice)
Her name is known to me. (Not ‘by me’) (Passive voice)
(b) Her appearance pleases everyone. (Active voice)
Everyone is pleased with her appearance. (Not ‘by her appearance’) (Passive voice)
(c) Such stories interest Janhavi. (Active voice)
Janhavi is interested in such stories. (Not ‘by such stories’) (Passive voice)
(d) The GM’s sudden visit shocked all. (Active voice)
All were shocked at the GM’s sudden visit. (Not ‘by the GM’s sudden visit’) (Passive voice)
In Case of Two Objects
(Direct and Indirect)
(d) Give her the medicine.
Let she be given the medicine.
Or
Let the medicine be given to her.
(e) I will ask a question to you.
You will be asked a question (by me).
A question will be asked to you (by me).
How to Identify ‘Object’ In Case of Longer Sentences
Examine the following sentences carefully:
(a) The Asian Heart Institute has conducted over 175 robotic surgeries as a step to implement advanced technology in medical sciences.
(b) PM Modi says that we have gained a lot from ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme.
(c) Our great saints have brought a divine light of knowledge and truth to our lives.
(d) Abha missed her examination owing to her prolonged illness.
(e) This will bring about a tremendous change in the present system of education.
Now, let us try to identify the subject, verb and object.
• Identify the action—You will get the verb.
• Ask the question—Who does the action—You will get subject.
• Ask the question—What is being done—You will get the object.
This identification and segregation helps a lot in constructing the sentences in Passive voice, since it is clearly defined what exactly should come in place of subject or object.
This also helps in deciding whether the given sentence is in Active voice or Passive voice and transforming it into the other accordingly.
Having known this, we can change the above sentences into passive voice as follows:
(a) Over 175 robotic surgeries have been conducted as a step to implement advanced technology in medical sciences by the Asian Heart Institute.
(b) PM Modi says that a lot has been gained from ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme (by us).
Note:
The object (subject in active voice) can be hidden as it is understood and need not be mentioned.
(c) A divine light of knowledge and truth has been brought to our lives by our great saints.
(d) Her examination was missed owing to her prolonged illness by Abha.
(e) A tremendous change will be brought about in the present system of education by this.
Did You Notice?
- That not all that follows the verb is an ‘Object’.
- In the second example two sentences are joined by the coordinating conjunction ‘that’. Voice of the ‘noun clause’ has been changed.
- In the sentences (i) and (v) only ‘over 175 robotic surgeries’ and ‘a tremendous change’ are the objects though the remaining words /phrases define or support the same. They are not the part of the object.
Points to be Kept in Mind
• Only transitive verbs can be used in the Passive voice. This is because a transitive verb has an object which is the recipient of the action done by the subject.
• On the other hand, an intransitive verb cannot be changed into Passive because it has no object which can be turned into the subject in the Passive voice.
Example:
- He played.
- Rupa smiles nicely.
- Poornima walked to office today.
In these sentences, there is no object which can be changed to subject.
• Passive voice is more often used in those sentences in which subject is not known/defined.
Example:
- Somebody stole my watch yesterday.
Sounds better if written as ‘My watch was stolen yesterday’ (by someone).
• In other words, somebody, they etc are vague subjects to mention. Therefore, the sentence may begin with object.
• If the subject or cause or doer of the action is generally known.
– The thieves were caught (by the police).
Or
– The thieves were beaten (by the public).
• If the action is more important than its doer.
– The earliest mechanical analog computer was discovered in 1901.
– The meeting was conducted in a round-table set up last week.
Active and Passive Voice Worksheets
1. Change the following Active voice sentences into Passive voice.
Question 1.
She is watering the plants.
Answer:
The plants are being watered by her.
Question 2.
I have collected a sufficient number of articles.
Answer:
A sufficient number of articles has been collected by me.
Question 3.
Who told you about this?
Answer:
By whom were you told about this?
Or
Who were you told about this by?
Question 4.
This gives a clear reflection.
Answer:
A clear reflection is given by this.
Question 5.
Keep your mouth shut.
Answer:
Let your mouth be kept shut.
Question 6.
She had bolted the doors before the alarm rang.
Answer:
The doors had been bolted by her before the alarm rang.
Question 7.
Kangana has signed the film.
Answer:
The film has been signed by Kangana.
Question 8.
Kids are blowing the balloons.
Answer:
The balloons are being blown by kids.
Question 9.
Mother will tie Shipra’s ponytail.
Answer:
Sipra’s ponytail will be tied by mother.
Question 10.
Will you achieve this impossible goal.
Answer:
Will this impossible goal be achieved by you?
Question 11.
The wasp can sting a predator.
Answer:
A predator can be stung by the wasp.
Question 12.
The Dauphin gave Joan of Arc an army of 10000 to relieve the town of Orleans.
Answer:
An army of 10000 was given to Joan of Arc to relieve the town of Orleans by the Dauphin.
Question 13.
I showed them my appointment letter as an aeronautical engineer.
Answer:
My appointment letter as an aeronautical engineer was shown to them by me.
Question 14.
The impish acts of certain uncivilised individuals threaten the grand edifice.
Answer:
The grand edifice is threatened by the impish acts of certain uncivilised individuals.
Question 15.
Some people, earlier, believed that the astronomers caused the eclipse.
Answer:
Some people, earlier, believed that the eclipse was caused by the astronomers.
Or
That the astronomers caused the eclipse was believed by some people earlier.
2. Change the following Active voice sentences into Passive voice.
Question 1.
What do the workers demand?
Answer:
What is demanded by the workers?
Question2.
Which religion does he follow?
Answer:
Which religion is followed by him?
Question 3.
Please, pass the salt.
Answer:
You are requested to pass the salt.
Question 4.
Convey my message to him.
Answer:
Let my message be conveyed to him.
Question 5.
This will cause a great trouble in the future.
Answer:
A great trouble will be caused in the future by this.
Question 6.
Rahim has learnt a number of proverbs.
Answer:
A number of proverbs has been learnt by Rahim.
Question 7.
This will help him in essay writing.
Answer:
He will be helped in essay writing by this.
Question 8.
Who brought the vegetables today?
Answer:
By whom were the vegetables brought today?
Question 9.
Take your seats quickly.
Answer:
Let your seats be taken quickly.
Question 10.
Always respect your parents.
Answer:
Your parents should always be respected.
Question 11.
Nobody knows dinosaurs’ colour for sure.
Answer:
Dinosaurs’ colour is known to nobody for sure.
Question 12.
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote concertors, symphonies and many other pieces of music apart from doing ballets.
Answer:
Concertors, symphonies and many other pieces of music were written apart from doing ballets by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Question 13.
Don’t talk nonsense.
Answer:
Let nonsense not be talked.
Question 14.
Vahida has done great acting.
Answer:
Great acting has been done by Vahida.
Question 15.
Who will give me money?
Answer:
By whom will I be given money?
Or
By whom will money be given to me?
3. Change the voice of the following sentences.
Question 1.
We are taught grammar by Ms Sullivan.
Answer:
Ms Sullivan teaches us grammar.
Question 2.
He was praised by the teacher.
Answer:
The teacher praised him.
Question 3.
The injured were taken to the hospital by the fireman.
Answer:
The fireman took the injured to the hospital.
Question 4.
The town was destroyed by an earthquake.
Answer:
An earthquake destroyed the town.
Question 5.
The teacher was pleased with the boy’s work.
Answer:
The boy’s work pleased the teacher.
Question 6.
The building was damaged by the fire.
Answer:
The fire damaged the building.
Question 7.
By whom were you taught French?
Answer:
Who taught you French?
Question 8.
You will be given a ticket by the manager.
Answer:
The manager will give you a ticket.
Question 9.
The streets were thronged with spectators.
Answer:
Spectators thronged the streets.
Question 10.
We will be blamed by everyone.
Answer:
Everyone will blame us.
Question 11.
The trees were blown down by the wind.
Answer:
The wind blew down the trees.
Question 12.
The thieves were caught by the police.
Answer:
The police caught the thieves.
Question 13.
The letter was posted by Alice.
Answer:
Alice posted the letter.
Question 14.
We were received by the hostess.
Answer:
The hostess received us.
Question 15.
The snake was killed with a stick.
Answer:
They/somebody killed the snake with a stick.
4. Change the voice of the following sentences.
Question 1.
The minister was welcomed by the people.
Answer:
The people welcomed the minister.
Question 2.
He was found guilty of murder.
Answer:
They found him guilty of murder.
Question 3.
This house was built by John Mathews in 1991.
Answer:
John Mathews built this house in 1991.
Question 4.
I did not beat her.
Answer:
She was not beaten by me.
Question 5.
I will never forget this experience.
Answer:
This experience will never be forgotten by me.
Question 6.
Mother made a cake yesterday.
Answer:
A cake was made by mother yesterday.
Question 7.
The boy teased the girl
Answer:
The girl was teased by the boy.
Question 8.
Did she do her duty?
Answer:
Was her duty done by her?
Question 9.
The tiger was chasing the deer.
Answer:
The deer was being chased by the tiger.
Question 10.
She has written a novel.
Answer:
A novel has been written by her.
Question 11.
She has learned her lessons.
Answer:
Her lessons have been learned by her.
Question 12.
Have you finished the report?
Answer:
Has the report been finished by you?
Question 13.
The police have caught the thief.
Answer:
The thief has been caught by the police.
Question 14.
My brother has completed the work.
Answer:
The work has been completed by my brother.
Question 15.
Somebody stole my pen yesterday.
Answer:
My pen was stolen by somebody yesterday.
5. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each one of them. Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each sentence.
Question 1.
The party has given a green signal for his nomination.
(Begin: A green signal …………..)
Answer:
A green signal has been given for his nomination by the party.
Question 2.
The examination board is changing its parameters of evaluation rapidly, every year.
(Begin: Its parameters …………..)
Answer:
Its parameters of evaluation are being changed rapidly by the examination board every year.
Question 3.
Which all lessons have been prepared thoroughly by you for the coming examination?
(Rewrite using ‘have you prepared’)
Answer:
Which all lessons have you prepared thoroughly for the coming examination?
Question 4.
You are requested to oblige me with the immediate concern about this matter. (Rewrite using ‘please’)
Answer:
Please oblige me with the immediate concern about this matter.
Question 5.
The garbage had not been cleared by the scavengers for many days before the Mayor visited the area.
(Begin: The scavengers …………..)
Answer:
The scavengers had not cleared the garbage for many days before the Mayor visited the area.
6. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each one of them. Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each sentence.
Question 1.
Were all the corners of the hall scanned properly by him?
(Begin: Did he …………..)
Answer:
Did he scan all the corners of the hall properly?
Question 2.
Why were such stupid questions being bombarded at the speaker by the audience?
(End: the speaker?)
Answer:
Why were the audience bombarding such stupid questions at the speaker?
Question 3.
Do you know why this is so boring?
(Begin: Is it …………..)
Answer:
Is it known to you why this is so boring?
Question 4.
Vageshwari has been blessed with a sweet and melodious voice.
(Begin: God has …………..)
Answer:
God has blessed Vageshwari with a sweet and melodious voice.
Question 5.
The poet has maintained a rhythm throughout his poem.
(Begin: A rhythm …………..)
Answer:
A rhythm has been maintained throughout his poem by the poet.
7. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each sentence.
Question 1.
Last night’s dinner was cooked for us by father.
(Begin: Father …………..)
Answer:
Father cooked dinner for us last night.
Question 2.
They are painting a mural on the front wall.
(Begin: A mural …………..)
Answer:
A mural is being painted on the front wall by them.
Question 3.
She found the keys in the garage.
(Begin: The keys …………..)
Answer:
The keys were found in the garage by her.
Question 4.
These windows need cleaning again.
(Begin: These windows will …………..)
Answer:
These windows will be cleaned again.
Question 5.
The peasants regarded him as a thief and called him a villain.
(End …………..the peasants)
Answer:
He was regarded as a thief and called a villain by the peasants.