Active and passive voice

Rules

1. Passive = object becomes subject + form of 'be' + past participle (+ by + doer).
2. The tense of 'be' follows the active verb: writes → is written; wrote → was written; has written → has been written.
3. Modals: can write → can be written; must do → must be done.
4. Imperatives use 'let': Open the door → Let the door be opened.

Examples

• The letter was written by Ravi.
• The work must be finished today.
• English is spoken all over the world.

Practice MCQs

1. Passive of: Ravi writes a letter.

   1. A letter is written by Ravi.
   2. A letter was written by Ravi.
   3. A letter has been written by Ravi.
   4. A letter is being written by Ravi.
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) A letter is written by Ravi.. Simple present 'writes' becomes 'is written'.

2. Passive of: She cooked the food.

   1. The food is cooked by her.
   2. The food was cooked by her.
   3. The food has been cooked by her.
   4. The food had cooked by her.
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) The food was cooked by her.. Simple past 'cooked' becomes 'was cooked'.

3. Passive of: They are building a bridge.

   1. A bridge is built by them.
   2. A bridge was being built by them.
   3. A bridge is being built by them.
   4. A bridge has been built by them.
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) A bridge is being built by them.. Present continuous takes 'is being + past participle'.

4. Passive of: He has completed the task.

   1. The task has completed by him.
   2. The task had been completed by him.
   3. The task has been completed by him.
   4. The task is completed by him.
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) The task has been completed by him.. Present perfect takes 'has been + past participle'.

5. Passive of: You must obey the rules.

   1. The rules must obey by you.
   2. The rules must be obeyed by you.
   3. The rules are obeyed by you.
   4. The rules must have obeyed.
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) The rules must be obeyed by you.. Modal + be + past participle.

6. Passive of: Shut the window.

   1. The window is shut.
   2. Let the window be shut.
   3. The window be shut.
   4. Let shut the window.
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) Let the window be shut.. Imperatives use 'Let + object + be + past participle'.

7. Active of: The thief was caught by the police.

   1. The police catches the thief.
   2. The police caught the thief.
   3. The police had caught the thief.
   4. The police were catching the thief.
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) The police caught the thief.. 'Was caught' is simple past passive, so active is 'caught'.