Active and Passive Voice Rules for All Tenses [PDF Available]

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Active and Passive Voice Rules for All Tenses

Active and Passive Voice Rules: It is inevitable to avoid voices while using English Grammar for anyone, even in the slightest bit. So are the chances of encountering Active and Passive Voice rules to build effective communications. After all, they serve as a backbone of the English language, alongside tenses and reported speech, regarding both usage and trickiness.

But not anymore, if you have a grasp on tenses then half of the battle is won. For the rest, you should read this blog article till the very end, and learn how to apply active and passive voice rules in your sentence structure with the help of examples and exercises you will find hereafter.

This Blog Includes:
  1. What is the Voice of Verb?
    1. Types of Voice of Verb
    1. Active and Passive Voices Rules for Present Tense
    2. Active and Passive Voices Rules for Past Tense
    1. Active and Passive Voices Rules for Pronouns
    1. Answers

    What is the Voice of Verb?

    First and foremost, you should learn that both active and passive are a part of the voice of a verb. Whereas, its function is to indicate whether the subject of the verb performs the action or experiences the action. Now, let’s focus on the two types of voice and determine which one justifies the performance of an action, and the one where the subject experiences an action.

    Types of Voice of Verb

    As discussed above, there are two types of voice of a verb, that is, active and passive voice. Let’s take a turn at understanding both separately through the table below.

    ParticularsActive VoicesPassive Voices
    DefinitionThe subject of sentences performs an action.The subject of sentences experiences an action.
    ExampleThe dog chased the cat.The cat was chased by the dog.
    ExplanationThe subject (“dog”) is performing the action (“chased”).The subject (“cat”) is experiencing the action (“chased”), and the performer of the action (“dog”) is expressed by the prepositional phrase “by the dog.”

    Active and Passive Voice Rules for Conversion and Examples

    Before jumping the gun and cramming all the active and passive voice rules, let’s learn about their conversion rules. While converting an active voice into a passive one, the object comes in the position of the subject and vice versa for converting a passive voice into an active voice.

    Rule Structure of Active Voices
    Subject + Verb +Object For Example: Rhea wrote a letter
    Rule Structure of Passive Voices
    Object + Verb (Past Participle) + by SubjectFor Example: A letter was written by Rhea

    Present Tense

    Active and Passive Voices Rules for Past Tense

    The rules for past tense active and passive voices are as follows:-

    Type of TensesActive VoicesPassive Voices
    Past Indefinite Subject + V2 + Object[Did (not) +V1]Object +was/were +V3 +by Subject
    ExampleSanya paid the dinner bills.The dinner bills were paid by Sanya.
    Past ContinuousSubject + was/were +V1+ing +ObjectObject + was/were + being +V3 + by Subject
    ExampleBob was drawing the portrait. The portrait was being drawn by Bob.
    Past PerfectSubject + Had +V3 +ObjectObject + Had + been + V3 +Object
    ExampleHad she left the apartment?Had the apartment been left by her?
    Past Perfect ContinuousSubject +Had + been + V1+ing + since/for + Object[Since– fixed time,For– approximate time]No Change

    Past Tense

    Active and Passive Voices Rules for Future Tense

    Type of TensesActive VoicesPassive Voices
    Future Indefinite Subject + Will/Shall + V1 + ObjectObject +Will/shall +be +V3 +by Subject
    ExampleSanya will pay the dinner bills.The dinner bills will be paid by Sanya.
    Future PerfectSubject + Will + have +V3 +ObjectObject + Will have + been + V3 +Object
    ExampleShe will have left the apartment?The apartment will have been left by her.
    Future Perfect ContinuousSubject +Has/have + been + V1+ing + since/for + Object[Since– fixed time,For– approximate time]No Change

    Future Tense

    Active and Passive Voices Rules for Pronouns

    Another step in mastering the usage of voices requires you to focus on the changes a pronoun undergoes while transitioning from active to passive voice.

    Active Voice PronuonsPassive Voice Pronouns
    IMe
    WeUs
    HeHis
    SheHer
    TheyThem
    You and ItYou and It

    Practice Exercise Active and Passive Voice

    Rewrite each sentence in the passive voice:

    1. The team won the championship.
    2. The teacher is explaining the assignment.
    3. They are conducting the experiment in the laboratory.
    4. My sister makes delicious cookies.
    5. The gardener planted colorful flowers in the garden.
    6. The company is launching a new product next month.
    7. The chef is cooking a special dinner tonight.
    8. The storm damaged the old building.
    9. The committee selected a candidate for the position.
    10. People speak Spanish in many countries.
    11. The mechanic fixed the broken car.
    12. The artist is creating a beautiful sculpture.
    13. The children are watching a thrilling movie.
    14. The government will announce the new policy tomorrow.
    15. The scientist discovered a new species of plant.

    Answers

    Match your answers with the following sentences in the passive voice.

    1. The championship was won by the team.
    2. The assignment is being explained by the teacher.
    3. The experiment is being conducted in the laboratory.
    4. Delicious cookies are made by my sister.
    5. Colorful flowers were planted in the garden by the gardener.
    6. A new product will be launched by the company next month.
    7. A special dinner is being cooked by the chef tonight.
    8. The old building was damaged by the storm.
    9. A candidate for the position was selected by the committee.
    10. Spanish is spoken in many countries by people.
    11. The broken car was fixed by the mechanic.
    12. A beautiful sculpture is being created by the artist.
    13. A thrilling movie is being watched by the children.
    14. The new policy will be announced by the government tomorrow.
    15. A new species of plant was discovered by the scientist.

    Download Active and Passive Voice Rules PDF

    In case, you fear that you can forget the rules you have learned so far in this blog, download this Active and Passive Voice Rules PDF, and take your knowledge to a greater height.

    Explore More Exciting Reads on English Grammar Below!

    FAQs

    What is the passive voice formula?

    The verbs that are utilized in a sentence define the passive voice. Passive verb phrases are composed of the form of the verb “be” and the past participle. Note: ● The passive voice in a sentence is usually indicated with “by” before the actor acting, however, this is not always the case.

    What is the rule for past passive?

    In simple sentences, the typical pattern for simple past passive sentences is: ‘Object + was / were + past participle of main verb (third form)’. In the case of an inquiry, “Was / were + object + past participle of main verb” (third form).

    What is past perfect passive?

    The general rule for simple past passive: ‘Object + was/were + past participle of main verb (third form)’ in affirmative sentences.

    This was all about the Active and Passive Voice Rules. Hopefully, you understood the usage of the word. To read more voice blogs, follow Leverage Edu.