Voices in English Grammar – Active and Passive Voice

1. Definition of Voice

Voice shows whether the subject of the sentence performs the action or receives the action.

  • Active Voice: The subject does the action.
  • Passive Voice: The subject receives the action.

2. Active and Passive Voice Examples

VoiceExample (English)Example (Hindi)
Active VoiceRam eats an apple.राम सेब खाता है।
Passive VoiceAn apple is eaten by Ram.एक सेब राम द्वारा खाया जाता है।

3. Rules for Changing Active to Passive Voice

  1. Object becomes the subject in passive voice.
    • Active: She writes a letter.
    • Passive: A letter is written by her.
  2. Verb form changes according to tense:
Tense (Active)Active ExamplePassive Example
Present SimpleShe eats an apple.An apple is eaten by her.
Past SimpleShe ate an apple.An apple was eaten by her.
Future SimpleShe will eat an apple.An apple will be eaten by her.
Present ContinuousShe is eating an apple.An apple is being eaten by her.
Past ContinuousShe was eating an apple.An apple was being eaten by her.
Present PerfectShe has eaten an apple.An apple has been eaten by her.
Past PerfectShe had eaten an apple.An apple had been eaten by her.
Future PerfectShe will have eaten an apple.An apple will have been eaten by her.
  1. Do not mention the agent (by whom) if not necessary:
    • Active: Someone stole my bag.
    • Passive: My bag was stolen.

Quick Tips

  • Passive voice is often used when the doer is unknown or unimportant.
  • Always ensure the verb agrees with the new subject.
  • Use “by” to show the agent if needed.