Updated date:

Jan 16, 2021

How to Learn Active and Passive Voice Easily

Author:: Alam Miah

I, Mohammed Alam Miah, is an English Teacher in a School in Bangladesh. I try to post especially on grammar view in exceptional way

How to Learn Active and Passive Voice Easily

Rules of Active and Passive Voice in English grammar

General Characteristics of Voice

To change the active voice into passive voice, generally we should find out of the respective sentence:

First Subject;
Next object;
Finally, main verb form.

In passive sentence generally:

Main verb is used in past participle form;
Subject is placed after past participle form of verb;
Object is placed before auxiliary verb;

This post is going to disclose some rules with examples which will be helpful for the academic and competitive exams.

In this article, Present Indefinite Tense or Present Form of Main Verb (V₁) gets priority to disclose in active Voice to turn into passive Voice.

Subjective and Objective Form in Voice:


Subjective form	Objective form
in Active Sentence	in Passive Sentence

I	Me
They	Them
It	It
We	Us
He	Him
She	Her
You	You
Dog	Dog
Robert	Robert
Kim and Jim	Kim and Jim

Verb Forms for Active into Passive:


For Active Voice	For Passive Voice	For Passive Voice	For Passive Voice
Main Verb (V1)	( is + V3 )	( are + V3 )	( am + V3 )
Accept	is accepted	are accepted	am accepted
Arrest	is arrested	are arrested	am arrested
Ask	is asked	are asked	am asked
Beat	is beaten	are beaten	am beaten
Break	is broken	are broken	am broken
Bring	is brought	are brought	am brought
Buy	is bought	are bought	am bought
Call	is called	are called	am called
Carry	is carried	are carried	am carried
Catch	is caught	are caught	am caught
Change	is changed	are changed	am changed
Chop	is chopped	are chopped	am chopped
Clean	is cleaned	are cleaned	am cleaned
Close	is closed	are closed	am closed
Complete	is completed	are completed	am completed
Create	is created	are created	am created
Describe	is described	are described	am described
Devastate	is devastated	are devastated	am devastated
Disobey	is disobeyed	are disobeyed	am disobeyed
Distribute	is distributed	are distributed	am distributed
Do	is done	are done	am done
Donate	is donated	are donated	am donated
Drink	is drunk	are drunk	am drunk
Eat	is eaten	are eaten	am eaten
Elect	is elected	are elected	am elected
Enjoy	is enjoyed	are enjoyed	am enjoyed
Fan	is fanned	are fanned	am fanned
Finish	is finished	are finished	am finished
Fly	is flown	are flown	am flown
Get	is gotten	are gotten	am gotten
Give	is given	are given	am given
Grow	is grown	are grown	am grown
Help	is helped	are helped	am helped
Hurt	is hurt	are hurt	am hurt
Join	is joined	are joined	am joined
Kick	is kicked	are kicked	am kicked
Kill	is killed	are killed	am killed
Leave	is left	are left	am left
Like	is liked	are liked	am liked
Love	is loved	are loved	am loved
Make	is made	are made	am made
Observe	is observed	are observed	am observed
Offer	is offered	are offered	am offered
Open	is opened	are opened	am opened
Pay	is paid	are paid	am paid
Play	is played	are played	am played
Prepare	is prepared	are prepared	am prepared
Purchase	is purchased	are purchased	am purchased
Put	is put	are put	am put
Repair	is repaired	are repaired	am repaired
Reply	is replied	are replied	am replied
Require	is required	are required	am required
Ring	is rung	are rung	am rung
Save	is saved	are saved	am saved
Say	is said	are said	am said
Seek	is sought	are sought	am sought
Sell	is sold	are sold	am sold
Send	is sent	are sent	am sent
Serve	is served	are served	am served
Sew	is sewed	are sewed	am sewed
Sing	is sung	are sung	am sung
Speak	is spoken	are spoken	am spoken
Steal	is stolen	are stolen	am stolen
Strike	is stricken	are stricken	am stricken
Teach	is taught	are taught	am taught
Tell	is told	are told	am told
Throw	is thrown	are thrown	am thrown
Use	is used	are used	am used
Vacuum	is vacuumed	are vacuumed	am vacuumed
View	is viewed	are viewed	am viewed
Visit	is visited	are visited	am visited
Want	is wanted	are wanted	am wanted
Wash	is washed	are washed	am washed
Win	is won	are won	am won
Write	is written	are written	am written

Voice in Affirmative Sentence -01(A)


Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject+ Main Verb1 + Object	Object + is + V3 + by + Subject

HERE, Subject -Singular/ Plural Pronoun
BUT Object -Singular Noun
EXAMPLES:
We write a book.	A book is written by us.
I play football.	Football is played by me.

Convert the Sentence into Passive Voice:

They make a basket.
He and I wash the dish.
I repair my house.
We want a sheet of paper.
They do my duty.

Now, Watch For Passive Sentence

Voice in Affirmative Sentence -01(B)

Main Verb Active V1 - Passive (is + V3) : 01(B) ( Affirmative Sentence)
Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject+ Main Verb1 + Object	Object + is + V3 + by + Subject

HERE, Subject - Plural Noun
BUT Object -Singular Noun
EXAMPLES:
The boys carry a bench.	A bench is carried by the boys.
My friends fly a kite.	A kite is flown by my friends.

Convert the Sentence Into Passive Voice:

The dogs follow their lord.
We observe it.
Mikel and I help Robin.
The Americans view the feature.
My all family members take care of the cat pet.

Now, Watch For Passive Sentence

Voice in Affirmative Sentence -01(C)


Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject+ Main Verb1 + Object	Object + is + V3 + by + Subject

HERE, Subject - Singular Noun(3rd Person)
AND Object -Singular Noun
EXAMPLES:
Jacob plays football.	Football is played by Jacob.
Mira makes tea.	Tea is made by Mira.
The lion kills the dear.	Their lord is followed by the dogs.
Loren reads a story book.	A story book is read by Loren.
The boy throws a stone.	A stone is thrown by the boy.

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

Jerry calls off the function
Merry paints the whole room.
Lia kicks the ball.
The thief steals my new bi-cycle.
The maker repairs the motor cycle.
My sister sews her school bag.
Our principal accepts my application.
Pantee changes the cover of the bed.
The choir actually loves this piece.
This mobile operator offers a new bonus plan.

Now, Watch For Passive Sentence

Voice in Affirmative Sentence -02(A)


Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject+ Main Verb1 + Object	Object + are + V3 + by + Subject

HERE, Subject - Plural Noun
AND Object -Plural Noun
EXAMPLES:
The members of the party like the works.	The works are liked by the members of the party.
The headmaster and the secretory raise two proposes.	Two proposes are raised by the headmaster and the secretory.

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

Jack and his friends open three new branches of their company.
The players perform theirs games.
My parents present some story books.
The students reply the answers of their teachers.

Now, Watch For Passive Sentence

Voice in Affirmative Sentence -02(B)


Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject+ Main Verb1 + Object	Object + are + V3 + by + Subject

HERE, Subject - Singular Noun
BUT Object -Plural Noun
EXAMPLES:
Samuel sings three songs.	Three songs are sung by Samuel.
Henry creates an some mobile apps.	Some mobile apps are created by Henry.
Isaac wants some books.	Some books are wanted by Isaac.

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

The function organizer makes all the reservations.
My mother prepares delicious dishes.
Alice sends two bills for hundred dollars.
Ryen sells mobile sets.
Jonathon buys a lot of white papers.

Now, Watch For Passive Sentence

Voice in Affirmative Sentence -02(C)


Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject+ Main Verb1 + Object + Extension	Object + are + V3 + by + Subject + Extension

HERE, Subject - Singular Noun / Pronoun
BUT Object -Plural Noun / Pronoun
EXAMPLES:
God creates us for His lordship.	We are created by God for His Lordship.
Carl gets eight chocolates from his father today.	Chocolates are got by Carl from his father today.

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

1. Active: Every person gets two pens from this fund.

Passive: Two pens are got from this fund by every person.

2. Active: I grow vegetables in my garden.

Passive: Vegetables are grown in my garden by me.

3. Active: My dad distributes ten bananas among us.

Passive: Ten bananas are distributed among us by my dad.

4. Active: His teacher asks some questions from the test book.

Passive: Some questions are asked by his teacher from the test book.

5. Active: Rozer saves 300 dollars per month.

Passive: 300 dollars are saved per month by Rozer.

Voice in Affirmative Sentence -02(D)


Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject+ Main Verb1 + Object	Object + are + V3 + by + Subject

HERE, Subject -Singular/ Plural Pronoun
BUT Object -Plural Pronoun
EXAMPLES:
I advise them.	They are advised by me.
They order him and me.	He and I are ordered by them.

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

1. Active: He helps us.

Passive: We are helped by him.

2. Active: She calls me.

Passive: I am called by her.

3. Active: We hate him.

Passive: He is hated by us.

4. Active: I teach them.

Passive: They are taught by me.

Voice in Affirmative Sentence -03


Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject+ Main Verb1 + Object	Object + am + V3 + by + Subject

HERE, Subject -Singular/ Plural Pronoun & Noun
BUT Object + Singular (me)
EXAMPLES:
They call me.	I am called by them.
He requests me.	I am requested by him.

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

1. Active: Teko helps me.

Passive: I am helped by Teko.

2. Active: Joe and Luo advise me.

Passive: I am advised by Joe and Luo.

3. Active: She teaches me.

Passive: I am taught by her.

4. Active: Tim suggests me.

Passive: I am suggested by Tim.

Voice in Affirmative Sentence -04


Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject+ Main Verb1 + Double Objects	1st Object+ am/is/are +V3 + 2nd Obj. + by+ Subject

HERE, Subject -Singular/ Plural Pronoun & Noun
BUT Object + Singular (Person supportable)
EXAMPLES:
We elect him a captain	He is elected a captain by us.
Father teaches me English.	I am taught English by father.
I called him a fool.	He was called a fool by me.

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

1. Active: We elected him chairman.

Passive: He was elected chairman by us.

2. Active: We make him a leader.

Passive: He is made a leader by us.

3. Active: He presents me a pen.

Passive: I am presented a pen by him.

4. Active: She gifts me a doll.

Passive: I am gifted a doll by her.

Voice in Affirmative Sentence -05


Active Voice	Passive Voice
Subject+ Main Verb1 + Object + Extension	Object + is + V3 + by + Subject + Extension

HERE, Subject -Singular Pronoun / Noun
BUT Object + Singular
EXAMPLES:
Columbus discovers America in the 15th century.	America is discovered by Columbus in the 15th century.
Dona drinks coffee with her mother.	Coffee is drunk by Dona with her mother.
Mother carries her baby in her lap.	Her baby is carried by mother in her lap.

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

Kerry donates money to the distress people.
Mr. Watt breaks the wall quickly.
My brother decorates the house every year.
My father reads the article at the moment.
Neil describes the journey by Apollo 11 cheerfully.
Pitter orders the man to do the work.
Raki washes her uniform every Friday.
Robinson buys a luxury house in Taxes this week.
Rock finishes his respective duty in due time.
Google requires manpower to operate online activities.
The servant cleans the room every morning.
The cowboy chops wood for fireplace.

Now, Watch For Passive Sentence

Voice in Affirmative Sentence -06


Active Voice	Passive Voice
Phrase + Subject+ Main Verb1 + Object+ Extension	Phrase + Object + am/is/are + V3 + by + Subject+ Extension

Subject -Singular/ Plural Pronoun & Noun
AND Object + Singular/ Plural
EXAMPLES:
At dinner, Marry eats two apples regularly.	At dinner, two apples are eaten by Marry regularly.
In the morning Jack plays hockey every day.	In the morning hockey is played by Jack every day.

More Examples of Active to Passive Voice:

1. Active: During the winter morning, my friend visits my garden.

Passive: During the winter morning, my garden is visited by my friend.

2. Active: At the time of his studying, Limon helps Ripon.

Passive: At the time of his studying, Ripon is helped by Limon.

3. Active: In the rainy season, we buy boats from the market.

Passive: In the rainy season, boats are bought from the market by us.

4. Active: At noon, we take launch at office.

Passive: At noon, launch is taken at office by us.

More Examples of the rules of 1 to 6

1. Active: I call in a doctor in my house.

Passive: A doctor is called in by me.

2. Active: I complete my course in time.

Passive: My course is completed by me in time.

3. Active: I pay the bill to the electricity authority within the date of 10^th every month.

Passive: The electricity authority is paid by me within the date of 10^th every month.

4. Active: We purchase some books from my school library.

Passive: Some books are purchased from my school library by us.

5. Active: I send a mail to my friend, Alen.

Passive: A mail is sent to my friend, Alen by me.

6. Active: Jack and Jenny open the gift box at 7 o’clock in the evening.

Passive: The gift box is opened by Jack and Jenny at 7 o’clock in the evening.

7. Active: Kith and Moll catch fish in this lake.

Passive: Fish is caught in this lake by Kith and Moll.

8. Active: Police arrest him today.

Passive: He is arrested by police today.

9. Active: The dogs beat him several times.

Passive: He is beaten by the dogs several times.

10. Active: The three queens join the summit together enthusiastically.

Passive: The summit is joined by the three queens together enthusiastically.

11. Active: They watch a drama together tonight.

Passive: A drama is watched by them together tonight.

12. Active: Thousands of travelers visit the China Great Wall every year.

Passive: The China Great Wall is visited by thousands of travelers every year.

13. Active: The students never reply the teachers' questions.

Passive: The teachers' questions are never replied by the students.

14. Active: I never disobey my elders.

Passive: My elders are never disobeyed by me.

Voice in Negative Sentence -07


Active Voice(Negative)	Passive Voice
Subject+ don't /doesn't + Main Verb1 + Object + ..	Object+ am/is/are +V3 + by+ Subject+ ...

EXAMPLES:
I do not sing a song.	A song is not sung by me.
She does not write a letter.	A letter is not written by her.
They don't play cards.	Cards are not played by them.

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

1. Active: I don’t do the sums.

Passive: The sums are not done by me.

2. Active: We don’t leave our house for office at 8 AM every day.

Passive: Our house is not left by us for office at 8 AM every day.

3. Active: They don’t serve the poor people in their locality.

Passive: The poor people are served by them in their locality.

4. Active: She doesn’t not help me.

Passive: I am not helped by her.

5. Active: He doesn’t close the door.

Passive: The door is not closed by him.

Voice in Interrogative Sentence -08


Active Voice	Passive Voice
EXAMPLES:
Do they eat some apples?	Are some apples eaten by them?
Does he make a kite?	Is a kite made by him?

No change placing: -what ?, which?, when ?, where ?,why ?, who?, whom?, how ?

Which book do you buy?	Which book is bought by you?
Who sings the sweet song?	By whom is the sweet song sung?

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

1. Active: Where does he find you?

Passive: Where are you found by him?

2. Active: How does he finish the work?

Passive: How is the work finished by him?

3. Active: When do you prepare your lesson?

Passive: When is your lesson prepared by you?

4. Active: Whom do you want?

Passive: Who is wanted by you?

5. Active: What do you tell him?

Passive: What is he told by you?

6. Active: Which pen does he like?

Passive: Which pen is liked by him?

7. Active: Who wants whom?

Passive: Who is wanted by whom?

8. Active: Who can do it?

Passive: By whom can it be done?

Voice in Imperative Sentence -09


Active Voice(Imperative)	Passive Voice
Main Verb1 + Object+..	Let + Object + V3 + ..

EXAMPLES:
Open the book.	Let the book be opened.
Ring the bell.	Let the bell be rung.
Eat a banana.	Let a banana be eaten.

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

Do the sum.
Do it at once.
Eat an apple.
Put up a tent.
Help him now.
Call in a doctor.

Now, Watch For Passive Sentence

Voice in Imperative Sentence -10


Active Voice(Imperative)	Passive Voice
Don't + Main Verb1 + Object+ ..	Let + not + Object + V3 + ..

EXAMPLES:
Do not make a noise.	Let not a noise be made.
Don't beat the dog.	Let not the dog be beaten.
Don't eat this banana.	Let not this banana be eaten.

Convert the Sentences Into Passive Voice:

1. Active: Don’t neglect my advice.

Passive: Let not my advice be neglected.

2. Active: Don’t disturb me.

Passive: Let not me disturb in the class.

3. Active: Don’t shut the window

Passive: Let not the window be shut.

4. Active: Don’t strike the cat.

Passive: Let not the cat be stricken.

5. Active: Don’t change the voice.

Passive: Let not the voice be changed.

More Examples of the rules of 9 to 10

1. Active: Take care of your health.

Passive: Let your health be taken care of.

2. Active: Pluck me a flower.

Passive: Let a flower be plucked for me.

3. Active: Bring me a book.

Passive: Let a book be brought to me.

4. Active: Let him do it.

Passive: Let it be done by him.

5. Active: Let him do the work.

Passive: Let the work be done by him.

6. Active: Let me sing a song.

Passive: Let a song be song by me.

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At the End

We know that most of the teachers teach voice by applying tense but this post is on verb present form (V₁) in active voice. To convert into passive, we can apply am/is/are + V3(past participle form) in passive voice. Furthermore, I will disclose on past form of verb in active voice and more in the next post.