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Introduction

Voice refers to the form of the verb that shows the relationship between the subject and the action, indicating whether the subject is performing the action (active voice) or receiving it (passive voice). 

Passive Voice , English Grammar Basics | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT

For instance,
In the active voice sentence, "He loves me,"

  • "he" is the subject
  • "loves" is the verb, and
  • "me" is the object

In its passive counterpart, "I am loved by him." 

  • The subject is "I,"
  • The verb is "am loved," and 
  • The object is "him."

The transformation from active to passive voice involves changing the verb form, with the addition of auxiliary verbs like "be," "do," or "have" to convey tense or mood. Despite differences in structure, the meaning of the sentence remains unchanged. Essentially, active sentences focus on the one acting, while passive sentences highlight the recipient of the action. 
The change in voice does not alter the core meaning of the sentence

Structure of Active and Passive Voice 

Active voice describes a sentence where the subject is the doer of an action. Its structure is as follows-

                                                                                   Subject + Verb + Object 

Passive voice expresses action that is carried out on the subject of the sentence. Its structure is- 

                                                                                    Object + Verb + Subject 

Important Rules for Active and Passive Voice

In passive-voice sentences, the subject of the active voice (e.g., "they") becomes the object. In passive voice, the third form of the verb, known as the past participle, is used (e.g., eat, eaten). The auxiliary verb "be" (am, is, are, was, were) is added before the past participle based on the verb's tense. Generally, the preposition "by" is used before the object in passive-voice sentences. In cases where the intended meaning is clear, the subject in passive voice sentences can sometimes be omitted. The decision to omit the subject depends on judgment and context.

Active and Passive Voice Rules Chart

Passive Voice , English Grammar Basics | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT

Question for Passive Voice , English Grammar Basics
Try yourself:Which of the following sentences is written in the passive voice?
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Rules for Converting Active to Passive Voice

  • The object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive voice.
  • The active sentence’s subject becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is dropped). The finite form of the verb is changed to past participle or V3 form.
  • The preposition “by” is used before the passive object.

Active and Passive Voice Rules For All Tenses

Passive Voice , English Grammar Basics | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT

Active and Passive Voice Rules in Imperative Sentences

Passive Voice , English Grammar Basics | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT


Active and Passive Voice Rules for  “To Be”  Sentences

Passive Voice , English Grammar Basics | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT

Active and Passive Voice Rules for Modal Verbs

Passive Voice , English Grammar Basics | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT

Active and Passive Rules for Di-Transitive Verbs

Some verbs take two objects, for example:

Active: Samdish gave the beggar an old t-shirt.

Passive: (i) An old t-shirt was given to the beggar by Samdish.

               (ii) The beggar was given an old t-shirt by Samdish.

Active and Passive Rules for Sentences with the Intransitive Verb

Such sentences are known as Mid-voice or Quasi-Passive voice. They seem to be in active voice, but their meaning is in the passive voice, and they have intransitive verbs, like without a direct object.

Active: Honey tastes sweet.

Passive: Honey is sweet when it is tasted.

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FAQs on Passive Voice , English Grammar Basics - Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT

1. What is the passive voice in English grammar?
Ans.The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb, rather than performing the action. For example, in the sentence "The cake was eaten by the children," the focus is on the cake, which is the recipient of the action.
2. How do I form a passive voice sentence?
Ans.To form a passive voice sentence, you typically use a form of the verb "to be" followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example, "The book is read by many students" is in passive voice, where "is" is the form of "to be" and "read" is the past participle.
3. When should I use passive voice instead of active voice?
Ans.Passive voice is often used when the focus is on the action or the recipient of the action rather than the doer. It is also useful in formal writing or when the doer is unknown or irrelevant. For example, "Mistakes were made" emphasizes the mistakes rather than who made them.
4. Can all sentences be converted to passive voice?
Ans.No, not all sentences can be converted to passive voice. Only transitive verbs, which require a direct object, can be used in passive constructions. Intransitive verbs, which do not take a direct object, cannot be made passive. For example, "He sleeps" cannot be converted to passive voice.
5. What are some common mistakes to avoid when using passive voice?
Ans.Common mistakes when using passive voice include overusing it, which can make writing unclear or awkward. Additionally, forgetting to include the agent (the doer of the action) can lead to ambiguity. It's important to balance passive constructions with active voice for clarity and engagement in writing.
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