Active and Passive Voice

What does a Verb do?

A verb tells us more about:

A verb can be used transitively or intransitively.

A verb can be used in the active or the passive voice.

Active and Passive Voice – Usage

NOTE:

Only transitive verbs can be used in the passive voice.

The object of the verb in the active voice becomes the subject in the passive voice.

Let us examine some sentences in the active and passive voice on the next page.

Examples

Active: The guard shot the robber.

Passive: The robber was shot by the guard.

Active: Mr Morris solved the case.

Passive: The case was solved by Mr Morris.

Active: Yesterday Meera called me for lunch.

Passive: Yesterday I was called for lunch by Meera.

Active: Candy ate the cake.

Passive: The cake was eaten by Candy.

Active: Rahul scored a zero in the match.

Passive: A zero was scored by Rahul in the match.

Active: Diya wrote a poem for her teacher.

Passive: A poem was written by Diya for her teacher.

Active: Bad mood often spoils parties.

Passive: Parties are often spoilt by bad mood.