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Introduction

Voice in grammar refers to how the action of a verb is expressed in a sentence, indicating whether the subject is performing the action (active voice) or receiving it (passive voice). 

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."

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

The transformation from active to passive voice involves a change in 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 performing the action, while passive sentences highlight the recipient of the action. 
It's worth noting that the switch 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 an 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.
  • Passive voice typically employs the third form of the verb, also known as the past participle (e.g., eat, ate, 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 (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - 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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Active And Passive Voice Rules For Conversion

  • The object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb.
  • 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 (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT


Active and Passive Voice Rules for Interrogative Sentence

s

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

Active and Passive Voice Rules for Imperative Sentences

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









  Active and Passive Voice Rules for  “To be”  Sentences

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


Active and Passive Voice Rules for Modal Verbs

Passive Voice , English Grammar Basics | Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - 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 in active voice, but their meaning is in passive voice, and they have intransitive verbs, like without a direct object.

Active: Honey tastes sweet.

Passive: Honey is sweet when it is tasted.

The document Passive Voice , English Grammar Basics | Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT is a part of the CAT Course Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC).
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FAQs on Passive Voice , English Grammar Basics - Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT

1. How is passive voice used in English grammar?
Ans. Passive voice is used in English grammar when the focus is on the action being done rather than the person or thing doing the action. The object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb, and the active verb is changed to a passive verb form (usually with the verb "to be" + past participle).
2. What are some common examples of passive voice in English sentences?
Ans. Some common examples of passive voice in English sentences include "The cake was baked by Mary," "The report will be written by the team," and "The house was painted by the contractors."
3. Why is passive voice sometimes preferred over active voice in writing?
Ans. Passive voice is sometimes preferred over active voice in writing because it can make the writing more formal, emphasize the action rather than the doer, or when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant.
4. How can one identify passive voice in a sentence?
Ans. Passive voice in a sentence can be identified by looking for forms of the verb "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) followed by a past participle. Additionally, the subject of the sentence receiving the action is often located at the beginning or end of the sentence.
5. What are some tips for using passive voice effectively in writing?
Ans. Some tips for using passive voice effectively in writing include using it sparingly, ensuring that the subject of the sentence is still clear, and considering the context and purpose of the writing before deciding to use passive voice.
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