Active & Passive Voice | English Grammar for Class 6 PDF Download

Introduction

In grammar, “Voice” means the form of a verb by which the relation of the subject to the action implied is indicated. In other words, voice is the form of the verb which indicates whether the subject does the work or something has been done to it.

• The voices are classified on the basis of whether the subject acts or is acted upon. 
• There are different types of Voices that can be used to convey the same meaning to a sentence but in a different manner. 
• Different types of voices don't change the meaning of the sentence, instead, the way of speaking changes.
• The voice is broadly classified into two categories:
  1. Active Voice
  2. Passive Voice

Active Voice

When the subject in the sentence is the doer of the action, the verb is said to be in active voice.

For Example
1. Riyanka is drinking water.

• Here Riyanka is the subject and drinking is the verb.
• Riyanka is the doer of the action here so the verb is in active voice.

2. Shefali is writing a poem.

• Here Shefali is the subject and writing a poem is the verb of the sentence.
• Shefali is doing the action and thus the verb is again in active voice.

Passive Voice

When the subject in the sentence is acted upon or receives the action, the verb is said to be in passive voice.

For Example

1. Water is being drunk by Riyanka.

• Here Riyanka is receiving the action of drinking water therefore we can say that the verb is in passive voice.

2. A poem is written by Shefali.

• Here Shefali is receiving the action of writing a poem so again the verb is in passive voice.

Active Voice to Passive Voice

The sentences can be changed from Active Voice to passive voice. The rules to change a sentence from active voice to passive voice are given below:

1. Subject in active voice takes the position of Object in passive voice and vice versa.

2. In passive voice, ‘by’ is used before the object.

3. The word ‘be’ is used accordingly depending on the tense of the verb in the sentence.

Example: Change the sentences into passive voice.

(a) The teacher explains the lesson.

Passive: The lesson is explained by the teacher.

(b) The chef is preparing the meal.

Passive: The meal is being prepared by the chef.

(c) They completed the project on time.

Passive: The project was completed on time by them.

(d) She will write the report.

Passive: The report will be written by her.

(e) The artist painted the picture.

Passive: The picture was painted by the artist.

Each example follows these rules:

• Subject and Object Swap: The subject in the active voice becomes the object in the passive voice, and vice versa.
• Use of "by": "By" is placed before the new object in the passive voice.
• Use of "be": The verb "be" is adjusted according to the tense of the original sentence.

Passive Voice to Active Voice 

The sentences can be changed from Passive Voice to active voice. The rules to change a sentence from passive voice to active voice are given below:

1. Subject in passive voice takes the position of Object in active voice and vice versa.

2. In active voice, ‘by’ is removed.

3. First form of the verb is used.

Example: Change the following sentences into active voice. 

(a) The book was read by John.

Active: John read the book.

(b) The cake was baked by her.

Active: She baked the cake.

(c) The letter will be written by them.

Active: They will write the letter.

(d) The house was cleaned by the maid.

Active: The maid cleaned the house.

(e) The song is being sung by the choir.

Active: The choir is singing the song.

Each example follows these rules:

• Subject and Object Swap: The subject in the passive voice becomes the object in the active voice, and vice versa.
• Removal of "by": The word "by" is removed in the active voice.
• Use of First Form of Verb: The verb is changed to its base form in the active voice.

General Rules of Voice Change 

Changing the Voice of Imperative Sentences

When the verb in the active voice expresses orders, requests, or advice, "Let" is usually placed at the beginning of the passive voice sentence. The verb "be" is added before the past participle of the main verb.

Examples:

• Active: Shut the door.
  Passive: Let the door be shut.

• Active: Tell him to go.
  Passive: Let him be told to go.

Rule II: Using "You are requested to"

When the active voice sentence begins with "Please," the passive voice usually starts with "You are requested to." In this case, even intransitive verbs can be changed into passive. Another option is to use "should" and "be."

Examples:

• Active: Please do not smoke.
  Passive: You are requested not to smoke.

• Active: Please go there.
  Passive: You are requested to go there.

• Active: Keep your word.
  Passive: Your word should be kept.

• Active: Obey your teacher.
  Passive: Your teacher should be obeyed.

Changing the Voice of Interrogative Sentences

Rule: Starting with Auxiliary Verb "Do"

If the interrogative sentence begins with the auxiliary verb "Do," you can change it into passive voice by first converting it into an assertive sentence, then transforming it into the passive voice, and finally turning it back into an interrogative.

Examples:

• Active: Do you see the bird?
  Assertive: You see the bird.
  Passive (Assertive): The bird is seen by you.
  Passive (Interrogative): Is the bird seen by you?

• Active: Did you see the man?
  Assertive: You saw the man.
  Passive (Assertive): The man was seen by you.
  Passive (Interrogative): Was the man seen by you?