Tips and Tricks: Voice | English Language & Comprehension for SSC CGL PDF Download

Tips to Convert Active To Passive Voice

• Exchange the positions of the subject and the object. The subject should become the object, and the object should become the subject.
• Modify the main verb into its third form while making alterations in the sentences.
• When creating a passive sentence, introduce the word "by" before the subject. For instance:

Example: 

• Active voice: Anjana sang a song.
• Passive voice: A song was sung by Anjana.

Adjust the tense of the auxiliary word:

Present tense:

• Active voice: The sun sets in the west.
• Passive voice: The west is where the sun sets.

Past tense:

• Active voice: Yami walked my pet home.
• Passive voice: My pet was walked home by Yami.

Future tense:

• Active voice: Akshara will do the thread work.
• Passive voice: Thread work will be done by Akshara.

Use discretion in certain sentences where you might need to overlook the subject if the message remains clear:

• Active voice: Weight is measured in kilograms.
• Passive voice: Kilogram is a unit of measurement for weight.

Passive voice sentences often employ words like "with" or "to," though the use of "by" is more frequent:

• Active voice: I know my son’s principal.
• Passive voice: My son’s principal is known to me.
• Active voice: True friendship fills her heart.
• Passive voice: Her heart is filled with true friendship.

Solved Examples

Tips and Tricks: Active Voice
When the subject carries out the action described by the verb within a sentence, it is referred to as active voice. Sentences structured in the active voice remain straightforward, emphasizing the subject as the primary focus.

The structure for the active voice follows this formula: Subject + Verb + Object.

Example : Change the following sentence into the passive voice
Sam will have taken the exam.
(a) The exam will have been taken by Sam
(b) The exam will be taken by Sam
(c) Sam will have been taken the exam
(d) None of the above
Ans: (a)
As per formula first object will come then verb and then subject. Hence here the object is exam, taken is verb and sam is subject. So the correct sentence will be: The exam will have been taken by Sam.

Tips and Tricks - Passive Voice
If the subject performed upon the verb, then it is known as passive voice. In this the main emphasis is on the action and not on the one who is doing it i.e. subject. Sentences in the passive voice are complex as the focus is on the actions.
Formula for Passive voice: Object + Verb + Subject

Example: Change the following sentence into the active voice
Specialists should be hired by them
(a) They should hire specialists.
(b) Hiring of specialist should be done by them
(c) Specialist should be hired
(d) None of the above
Ans: (a)
As per rules subject should come first then verb and then object. Option A follows the rule correctly.