Passive Voice

What is Passive Voice?

• The passive voice is when the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb.

Structure:

•     Object + Auxiliary Verb (to be) + Past Participle + (by + Subject)

Example:
Active: The chef cooked the meal.
Passive: The meal was cooked by the chef.

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Why Use Passive Voice?

• Focus on the action: The emphasis shifts from who performed the action to what happened.
• Unknown or irrelevant subject: When the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant.
  Example: "The windows were broken."

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How to Form Passive Voice

1. Identify the object of the active sentence.
2. Move the object to the subject position.
3. Add the correct form of the verb "to be" + past participle.
4. Optionally, include "by" and the original subject.

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Examples of Passive Voice

• Active: Scientists discovered a new planet.
• Passive: A new planet was discovered by scientists.

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When to Avoid Passive Voice

• Overuse: Can make sentences wordy or vague.
• When clarity is needed: Active voice is often clearer and more direct.
• Example: "Mistakes were made." (Unclear responsibility)

Here are examples of passive voice in different tenses:

 Present Tense

1. The book is read by the students.
2. The cake is baked by my mother.
3. The report is written by the manager.
4. The letters are delivered by the postman.
5. The homework is completed by the children. 

Present Continuous Tense

1. The house is being painted by the workers.
2. The song is being sung by the choir.
3. The project is being reviewed by the committee.
4. The documents are being signed by the clients.
5. The game is being played by the teams. 

Future Tense

1. The invitations will be sent by her tomorrow.
2. The presentation will be given by the team next week.
3. The results will be announced by the principal.
4. The new policy will be implemented by the government.
5. The car will be repaired by the mechanic. 

Past Tense

1. The homework was completed by the students.
2. The movie was watched by the audience.
3. The house was built by the contractor.
4. The flowers were arranged by the florist.
5. The dinner was cooked by my grandmother.

Exercise 1 :

1. The cake was eaten by the children.

• A) Passive
• B) Active

Answer: A) Passive
Explanation: "Was eaten" is a passive verb because the action is being done to the subject ("cake") by someone else (the children).

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2. The teacher explained the lesson to the class.

• A) Passive
• B) Active

Answer: B) Active
Explanation: "Explained" is active because the subject ("teacher") is performing the action directly.

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3. The letter was sent by Maria yesterday.

• A) Passive
• B) Active

Answer: A) Passive
Explanation: "Was sent" is passive as the subject ("letter") receives the action from the agent (Maria).

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4. The new library will open next week.

• A) Passive
• B) Active

Answer: B) Active
Explanation: "Will open" is active as it directly describes what the subject ("library") will do.

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5. The flowers have been watered by the gardener.

• A) Passive
• B) Active

Answer: A) Passive
Explanation: "Have been watered" is passive because the subject ("flowers") receives the action from someone else (the gardener).

Exercise 2 :

1. The new bridge ___ by the end of the year.

• A) will complete
• B) completed
• C) is completing
• D) will be completed

2. A new law ___ by the government to protect wildlife.

• A) was passed
• B) passes
• C) has been passed
• D) passed

3. The report ___ thoroughly before it was published.

• A) reviewed
• B) was reviewed
• C) reviews
• D) had reviewed

4. The ancient manuscripts ___ in a secure location.

• A) were kept
• B) have kept
• C) keeps
• D) is keeping

5. The dishes ___ by the restaurant staff after closing.

• A) were cleaned
• B) cleans
• C) is cleaning
• D) cleaning