Understanding how to switch from active to passive in English is an essential skill for improving written and spoken expression. The passive voice is used when we want to emphasise the action or the object of the action rather than the subject of the action. In this article, we will explain in detail how to make this change correctly, with practical examples and clear explanations.
1. Difference between Active Voice and Passive Voice
Before learning how to transform an active sentence into a passive sentence, it is important to understand the difference between the two:
- Active VoiceThe subject performs the action.
- ExampleThe chef cooks the meal. (The chef cooks the meal.)
- Passive VoiceThe object of the action becomes the subject of the sentence.
- Example: "The meal is cooked by the chef".
2. Rules for Converting Active to Passive Voice
Step 1: Identify the Direct Object
The direct object of the active sentence will become the subject of the passive sentence.
- ActivaThe teacher explains the lesson.
- Direct object: "the lesson" : "the lesson
Step 2: Set the Object as Subject
The direct object moves to the beginning of the passive sentence.
- Passive: "The lesson..."
Step 3: Adjust the verb "To Be".
The main verb of the active sentence is transformed with the corresponding form of the verb "to be" in the same verb tense.
- Activaexplains" (present simple)
- Passive: "is explained" : "is explained" : "is explained" : "is explained" : "is explained" : "is explained
Step 4: Using the Past Participle of the Main Verb
The main verb in the passive is always in the past participle.
- Main verbexplain" : "explain
- Past participleexplained" : "explained".
Step 5: Add "By" + Subject (Optional)
If it is necessary to mention who performs the action, "by" + subject is added at the end.
- Full passive: "The lesson is explained by the teacher".
3. Examples in Different Verb Tenses
| Weather | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Present simple | The company releases a new product. | A new product is released by the company. |
| Simple past | The committee approved the proposal. | The proposal was approved by the committee. |
| Simple future | The team will complete the project. | The project will be completed by the team. |
| Present continuous | The chef is preparing the meal. | The meal is being prepared by the chef. |
| Past continuous | The students were organising the event. | The event was being organised by the students. |
| Present perfect | The manager has signed the contract. | The contract has been signed by the manager. |
| Past perfect | The author had written the book. | The book had been written by the author. |
| Future perfect | They will have finished the report. | The report will have been finished by them. |
4. When to Use the Passive Voice
The passive voice in English is useful when:
- It is not known or relevant who performed the action.
- ExampleThe window was broken. (The window was broken.)
- The action or object is to be emphasised.
- ExampleA new policy has been introduced. (A new policy has been introduced.)
- A more formal or impersonal tone is preferred.
- ExampleMistakes were made. (Mistakes were made.)
5. Common Errors in English Passive Voice Formation
Forgetting to conjugate "to be" correctly
- Incorrect: "The report written by the manager".
- CorrectThe report was written by the manager."
Do not use the past participle
- Incorrect: "The meal is cook by the chef".
- CorrectThe meal is cooked by the chef."
Include "by" when it is not necessary
- Incorrect: "A new law was passed by the government".
- CorrectA new law was passed. (If the agent is not relevant, it is omitted).
6. Practice: Transform These Sentences
- She writes a letter. → ?
- They built a new bridge last year. → ?
- The team will announce the results tomorrow. → ?
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