Exercises of Active and Passive voice with Example

Exercises of active and passive voice with example! The active voice is used when the subject of a sentence performs the action. For example, “I am washing the car.” The passive voice is used when the subject of a sentence is acted upon. For example, “The car is being washed by me.” While the active voice is usually more concise, there are times when the passive voice is preferable.

Must Learn: Active and Passive voice Examples

Active voice

A verb is in the active voice when its subject acts. When the subject does something.

  • Tina writes an essay every day.  Muslims had ruled (or had ruled over) Spain.  China can make great scientific progress.
  • Here Tina is the subject, writes is the transitive verb and essay is the object. Muslims are the subject, ruled is the transitive verb and Spain is the object. China is the subject; make is the verb and scientific progress is the object.

Passive voice

A verb is in the passive voice when its subject is acted on.

  • An essay is written by Nisha every day. (Or) Every day an essay is written by Nisha. Spain had been ruled by Muslims.
  • Great scientific progress can be made by Pakistan.

Exercises of active and passive voice

  • Active: She wrote the novel.
  • Passive: The novel was written by her.
  • Active: They are building a new hospital in the city.
  • Passive: A new hospital is being built in the city by them.
  • Active: He will teach the class tomorrow.
  • Passive: The class will be taught by him tomorrow.
  • Active: Someone stole my bike last night.
  • Passive: My bike was stolen last night.
  • Active: The company is developing a new software program.
  • Passive: A new software program is being developed by the company.
  • Active: They awarded him the Nobel Prize for his research.
  • Passive: He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his research.
  • Active: The team won the championship last year.
  • Passive: The championship was won by the team last year.
  • Active: The teacher gave the students a quiz on Friday.
  • Passive: The students were given a quiz by the teacher on Friday.
  • Active: The police arrested the suspect yesterday.
  • Passive: The suspect was arrested by the police yesterday.
  • Active: The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests.
  • Passive: A delicious meal was prepared for the guests by the chef.
  • Active: The company delivered the package to my house.
  • Passive: The package was delivered to my house by the company.
  • Active: She has written several books on the topic.
  • Passive: Several books have been written on the topic by her.
  • Active: The students asked the teacher many questions.
  • Passive: The teacher was asked many questions by the students.
  • Active: He fixed the broken window yesterday.
  • Passive: The broken window was fixed by him yesterday.
  • Active: The committee selected the winner of the award.
  • Passive: The winner of the award was selected by the committee.
  • Active: They designed the new website for the company.
  • Passive: The new website was designed for the company by them.
  • Active: The government will announce the new policy next month.
  • Passive: The new policy will be announced by the government next month.
  • Active: The audience applauded the performance.
  • Passive: The performance was applauded by the audience.
  • Active: The doctor will examine the patient tomorrow.
  • Passive: The patient will be examined by the doctor tomorrow.
  • Active: She donated money to the charity.
  • Passive: Money was donated to the charity by her.
  • Active: The coach gave the team a pep talk before the game.
  • Passive: The team was given a pep talk by the coach before the game.
  • Active: The waiter served us dinner at the restaurant.
  • Passive: Dinner was served to us at the restaurant by the waiter.
  • Active: He painted the portrait of the famous singer.
  • Passive: The portrait of the famous singer was painted by him.
  • Active: The company hired a new employee last week.
  • Passive: A new employee was hired by the company last week.
  • Active: She made a mistake in her report.
  • Passive: A mistake was made in her report by her.
  • Active: The school organized a field trip for the students.
  • Passive: A field trip was organized for the students by the school.
  • Active: The artist created a beautiful sculpture.
  • Passive: A beautiful sculpture was created by the artist.
  • Active: The committee rejected the proposal.
  • Passive: The proposal was rejected by the committee.
  • Active: The team completed the project on time.
  • Passive: The project was completed on time by the team.
  • Active: She bought a new car last week.
  • Passive: A new car was bought by her last week.

exercise of active and passive voice

Exercise 1: Rewrite the following sentences in passive voice.

 

  • The teacher explained the lesson to the students.
  • Passive: The lesson was explained to the students by the teacher.
  • They are building a new mall in the city center.
  • Passive: A new mall is being built in the city center by them.
  • The chef prepared the meal in the kitchen.
  • Passive: The meal was prepared in the kitchen by the chef.
  • The company will launch a new product next month.
  • Passive: A new product will be launched by the company next month.
  • The storm destroyed the entire village.
  • Passive: The entire village was destroyed by the storm.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences in active voice.

  • The book was written by the famous author.
  • Active: The famous author wrote the book.
  • The movie was directed by Steven Spielberg.
  • Active: Steven Spielberg directed the movie.
  • The report was reviewed by the committee.
  • Active: The committee reviewed the report.
  • The cake was baked by my grandmother.
  • Active: My grandmother baked the cake.
  • The concert was attended by thousands of fans.
  • Active: Thousands of fans attended the concert.

Rewrite the following sentences in passive voice:

  • The teacher graded the exams.
  • The company will launch a new product next month.
  • The police caught the thief.
  • The storm destroyed the house.
  • The chef prepared a delicious meal.

Answers:

  • The exams were graded by the teacher.
  • A new product will be launched by the company next month.
  • The thief was caught by the police.
  • The house was destroyed by the storm.
  • A delicious meal was prepared by the chef.

Exercise 2:

Rewrite the following sentences in active voice:

 

  • The email was sent by John.
  • The book was written by a famous author.
  • The cake was baked by my grandmother.
  • The mistake was made by the intern.
  • The meeting was canceled by the manager.

Answers:

  • John sent the email.
  • A famous author wrote the book.
  • My grandmother baked the cake.
  • The intern made the mistake.
  • The manager canceled the meeting.

Exercise 3:

Rewrite the following sentences, changing the tense and voice as necessary:

  • The movie is being watched by the children.
  • The report will be completed by the team.
  • The package had been delivered by the postman.
  • The concert has been canceled by the organizers.
  • The cake had been eaten by the time I arrived.

Answers:

  • The children are watching the movie.
  • The team will complete the report.
  • The postman had delivered the package.
  • The organizers canceled the concert.
  • By the time I arrived, the cake had been eaten.

Example for active and passive voice

  • Active Voice:
  • The teacher graded the exams quickly and thoroughly.
  • Passive Voice:
  • The exams were graded quickly and thoroughly by the teacher.
  • Active Voice:
  • The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests.
  • Passive Voice:
  • A delicious meal was prepared for the guests by the chef.
  • Active Voice:
  • The company launched a new product with a huge marketing campaign.
  • Passive Voice:
  • A new product was launched with a huge marketing campaign by the company.
  • Active Voice:
  • The police officer caught the thief after a long chase.
  • Passive Voice:
  • The thief was caught after a long chase by the police officer.
  • Active Voice:
  • The writer published her book after years of hard work.
  • Passive Voice:
  • The book was published after years of hard work by the writer.

Change The Main Verb Into Its Third Form.

Use the necessary helping verb ( is, was, be, etc. ) in the passive voice according to the tense.

Active voice:

  • John wrote a letter to his friend.
  • Third form: John has written a letter to his friend.
  • The company released a new product yesterday.
  • Third form: The company has released a new product yesterday.
  • The teacher gave the students a challenging assignment.
  • Third form: The teacher has given the students a challenging assignment.
  • The company hired a new employee last week.
  • Third form: The company has hired a new employee last week.

Passive voice:

  • A letter was written to his friend by John.
  • Third form: A letter has been written to his friend by John.
  • A new product was released by the company yesterday.
  • Third form: A new product has been released by the company yesterday.
  • The students were given a challenging assignment by the teacher.
  • Third form: A challenging assignment has been given to the students by the teacher.
  • A new employee was hired by the company last week.
  • Third form: A new employee has been hired by the company last week.

example for active and passive voice

Rules of Active and Passive Voice!

  • When a transitive verb has two objects, either of them can be made the subject in the passive voice.
  • The direct object is a noun or pronoun that comes after the action verb. It answers the question what? Or whom? The indirect object comes before the direct object and names the person or thing for which something is done.
  • Active voice: The subject of the sentence performs the action.
  • Example: The dog chased the cat.
  • Passive voice: The subject of the sentence receives the action.
  • Example: The cat was chased by the dog.
  • Use passive voice when the focus is on the object of the action rather than the subject.
  • Example: The cake was eaten by the children. (Passive)
  • Active voice: The children ate the cake. (Active)
  • Use active voice to make sentences more direct and clear.
  • Example: The letter was written by the secretary. (Passive)
  • Active voice: The secretary wrote the letter. (Active)
  • Use passive voice when the subject is unknown or unimportant.
  • Example: Mistakes were made. (Passive)
  • Active voice: Someone made mistakes. (Active)
  • Use passive voice to avoid blame or responsibility.
  • Example: The vase was broken. (Passive)
  • Active voice: I broke the vase. (Active)
  • Use passive voice to emphasize the action rather than the doer.
  • Example: The movie was directed by Steven Spielberg. (Passive)
  • Active voice: Steven Spielberg directed the movie. (Active)
  • Remember that active and passive voice can be used in different situations, and the choice of voice can affect the meaning and tone of a sentence.

active and passive voice with example

Also Learn Lesson about Tenses

exercise of active and passive voice

exercise of active and passive voice with answer pdf

Rules of Active and Passive Voice In Tenses:

Present, past, or future indefinite tense

Note in the passive voice of the following sentences: in the simple present, the helping verb “is” is used, and then the third form of “study.”

Here are the rules for using active and passive voice in the present tense:

Active voice in present tense:

In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. The verb in present tense takes the base form of the verb.

Example: John writes a book.

Passive voice in present tense:

In passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action. The verb in present tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “to be” in the present tense and the past participle of the main verb.

  • Example: A book is written by John.
  • Use passive voice when the object of the action is more important than the subject.
  • Example: The cake is baked by the chef.
  • Use active voice to make the sentence more direct and clear.
  • Example: The chef bakes the cake.
  • Use passive voice when the subject is unknown or unimportant.
  • Example: Mistakes are made.
  • Use active voice to emphasize the doer of the action.
  • Example: John writes a book.
  • Use passive voice to emphasize the action rather than the doer.
  • Example: A book is written.
  • Use active voice for clarity and simplicity.
  • Example: The teacher explains the lesson.
  • Use passive voice to avoid assigning blame.
  • Example: The mistake was made.
  • Remember that the choice between active and passive voice depends on the context of the sentence and the emphasis that the writer wants to give to the subject, object or action.

Active and Passive voice In Past simple Tense

In the simple past, the helping verb “was” is used, and then the third form of “eat.”

In the simple future, the helping verb “be” is used, and then the third form of “write.” The same for “meet.”

Active voice in past simple tense:

In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. The verb in past simple tense takes the second form of the verb.

Example: John wrote a book.

Must Learn : Example of Past tense

Passive voice in past simple tense:

In passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action. The verb in past simple tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “to be” in past simple tense and the past participle of the main verb.

Example: A book was written by John.

  • Use passive voice when the object of the action is more important than the subject.
  • Example: The cake was baked by the chef.
  • Use active voice to make the sentence more direct and clear.
  • Example: The chef baked the cake.
  • Use passive voice when the subject is unknown or unimportant.
  • Example: Mistakes were made.
  • Use active voice to emphasize the doer of the action.
  • Example: John wrote a book.
  • Use passive voice to emphasize the action rather than the doer.
  • Example: A book was written.
  • Use active voice for clarity and simplicity.
  • Example: The teacher explained the lesson.
  • Use passive voice to avoid assigning blame.
  • Example: The mistake was made.
  • Remember that the choice between active and passive voice depends on the context of the sentence and the emphasis that the writer wants to give to the subject, object or action.

example active and passive voice

Present continuous and past continuous tense:

Note in the passive voice of the following sentences: in the present continuous, the helping verb ‘being” is used, and then the third form of “cook.” The same in the following sentences:

  • In the past continuous, the helping verb “being” is used, and then the third form of “learn.” The same for “learn” and “examine.”

Active voice in present continuous tense:

In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action in the present and is ongoing. The verb in present continuous tense is formed by using the present participle (-ing) form of the verb “to be” and the base form of the main verb.

Example: John is writing a book.

 

Passive voice in present continuous tense:

In passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action in the present and is ongoing. The verb in present continuous tense is formed by using the present participle (-ing) form of the verb “to be” and the past participle of the main verb.

Example: A book is being written by John.

  • Active voice in past continuous tense:

In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action in the past and is ongoing. The verb in past continuous tense is formed by using the past participle of the verb “to be” and the present participle (-ing) form of the main verb.

Example: John was writing a book.

  • Passive voice in past continuous tense:

In passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action in the past and is ongoing. The verb in past continuous tense is formed by using the past participle of the verb “to be” and the past participle of the main verb.

Example: A book was being written by John.

  • Use passive voice when the object of the action is more important than the subject.
  • Example: The cake was being baked by the chef.
  • Use active voice to make the sentence more direct and clear.
  • Example: The chef was baking the cake.
  • Use passive voice when the subject is unknown or unimportant.
  • Example: Mistakes are being made.
  • Use active voice to emphasize the doer of the action.
  • Example: John was writing a book.
  • Use passive voice to emphasize the action rather than the doer.
  • Example: A book was being written.
  • Remember that the choice between active and passive voice depends on the context of the sentence and the emphasis that the writer wants to give to the subject, object or action.

Future continuous tense, present perfect continuous tense, and past perfect continuous tense

  • Active voice in future continuous tense:
  • In active voice, the subject of the sentence will perform an action in the future, and it will be ongoing. The verb in future continuous tense is formed by using the future tense of “to be” and the present participle (-ing) form of the main verb.
  • Example: John will be writing a book.
  • Passive voice in future continuous tense:
  • In passive voice, the subject of the sentence will receive an action in the future, and it will be ongoing. The verb in future continuous tense is formed by using the future tense of “to be” and the past participle of the main verb.
  • Example: A book will be being written by John.
  • Active voice in present perfect continuous tense:
  • In active voice, the subject of the sentence has been performing an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. The verb in present perfect continuous tense is formed by using the present perfect of “to be” and the present participle (-ing) form of the main verb.
  • Example: John has been writing a book.
  • Passive voice in present perfect continuous tense:
  • In passive voice, the subject of the sentence has been receiving an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. The verb in present perfect continuous tense is formed by using the present perfect of “to be” and the past participle of the main verb.
  • Example: A book has been being written by John.
  • Active voice in past perfect continuous tense:
  • In active voice, the subject of the sentence had been performing an action that started in the past and was still ongoing until another action happened. The verb in past perfect continuous tense is formed by using the past perfect of “to be” and the present participle (-ing) form of the main verb.
  • Example: John had been writing a book before he got sick.
  • Passive voice in past perfect continuous tense:
  • In passive voice, the subject of the sentence had been receiving an action that started in the past and was still ongoing until another action happened. The verb in past perfect continuous tense is formed by using the past perfect of “to be” and the past participle of the main verb.
  • Example: A book had been being written by John before he got sick.
  • Remember that the choice between active and passive voice depends on the context of the sentence and the emphasis that the writer wants to give to the subject, object or action.
  • She will be meeting her old friends in Multan. (Future continuous)
  • We have been reading these Novels since last month. ( present perfect continuous)
  • Had you been visiting the park off and on? (Past perfect continuous)

simple exercise of active and passive voice

Learn about Descriptive words

 What is the differences between active and passive voice

Present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect tense:

  • While converting verbs in the present, past, and future perfect tenses from active, “been” is used.
  • Note the following sentences: in the present perfect, the helping verb “been” is used, and then the third form of “see.”
  • In the past perfect, the helping verb “been” is used, and then the third form of “visit.”
  • In the future perfect the helping verb “been” is used, and then the third form of “finish.”

Examples:

Active voice: She has seen this picture.

Passive voice: the picture has been seen by her.

Active voice: she had visited Lahore.

Passive voice: Lahore had been visited by her.

Active voice: They will have finished their work by twelve.

Passive voice: Their work will have been finished them by Twelve.

Note on Questions:

  • The helping verbal “is”, “do,” “was,” “did,” etc. At the beginning of a sentence may be replaced by different verb forms according to the sense:

Examples:

Active: Do the students play badminton after the classes.

Passive: is Badminton played by the students after the classes?

“Do” goes with “the students” and “is” goes with “Badminton”

Active: Did they clean the Hall?

Passive: were the hall cleaned by them?

  • To understand the above changes better note these stages:
  • Question words like “why, where, when, will, has, shall, must” remain unchanged.

Active: why does Mr. Ahsan meet them every day?

Passive: why are they met by Mr. Ahsan every day?

How To Make Active and Passive Voice

  1. Active voice:

Start with the subject of the sentence (the doer of the action).

Example: Mary

  1. Choose a verb that shows the action the subject is doing.

Example: drives

  1. Add an object (the receiver of the action) to complete the sentence.

Example: her car.

  1. Make sure that the sentence makes sense and is grammatically correct.

Example: Mary drives her car.

Passive voice:

  1. Start with the object (the receiver of the action).

Example: Her car

  1. Choose an appropriate form of “to be” that agrees with the tense of the sentence.

Example: is being

  1. Add the past participle of the verb that shows the action.

Example: driven

  1. Add the preposition “by” and the subject of the active voice sentence to complete the sentence.

Example: Her car is being driven by Mary.

Examples:

Active: They know me.

Passive: I am known to them.

Active: The film disappointed us.

Passive: we were disappointed at or with the film.

Preposition like “in,” “at,” “up,” etc. Should be placed wherever needed.

Active: Roman looked at the beautiful scene.

Passive: The beautiful scene was looked at by roman.

Active: How can they give up the struggle.

Passive: How can the struggle be given up by them.

Note the change above with reference to the different tenses.

Passive Voice without Subject

  • The windows were broken during the storm.
  • The cake was eaten before I arrived.
  • The road was blocked by fallen trees.
  • The book was written in Spanish.
  • The painting was damaged during the move.
  • The house was built in 1920.
  • The cookies were baked by my sister.
  • The project was completed on time.
  • The vase was shattered when it fell.
  • The concert was canceled due to bad weather.

Order and Requests

Note the use of “let” with “be” in the passive voice. With “have,” “be” is not used. With “please” and “kindly” in the active voice, we use “ request” in the passive voice.

Bundle of Examples of Active and Passive Voice

Active voice:

  • She sings beautifully.
  • The cat chased the mouse.
  • I finished the project yesterday.
  • The teacher explained the lesson well.
  • The company will launch a new product next month.
  • The construction workers are building a new bridge.
  • He wrote a love letter to his girlfriend.
  • The children played happily in the park.
  • They are organizing a charity event next week.
  • The scientist discovered a new species of butterfly.
  • She teaches English to high school students.
  • The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests.
  • The police arrested the suspect last night.
  • We will watch a movie tonight.
  • The doctor cured the patient’s illness.
  • The musician composed a new song.
  • The company hired a new employee.
  • The students answered the questions in the exam.
  • She won the gold medal in the Olympics.
  • The company is developing a new software program.

Passive voice:

  • The song was sung beautifully by her.
  • The mouse was chased by the cat.
  • The project was finished yesterday by me.
  • The lesson was explained well by the teacher.
  • A new product will be launched next month by the company.
  • A new bridge is being built by the construction workers.
  • A love letter was written to his girlfriend by him.
  • The park was played in happily by the children.
  • A charity event is being organized next week by them.
  • A new species of butterfly was discovered by the scientist.
  • English is taught to high school students by her.
  • A delicious meal was prepared for the guests by the chef.
  • The suspect was arrested last night by the police.
  • A movie will be watched tonight by us.
  • The patient’s illness was cured by the doctor.
  • A new song was composed by the musician.
  • A new employee was hired by the company.
  • The questions in the exam were answered by the students.
  • The gold medal was won by her in the Olympics.
  • A new software program is being developed by the company.

simple exercise of active and passive voice

exercise of active and passive voice

Solved exercise of active and passive voice

  • Active: I saw them at the police station yesterday.
  • Passive: they were seen at the police station by me yesterday.
  • Active: My principle does not punish me.
  • Passive: I am not punished by principle.
  • Active: The Student was to teach classes at noon.
  • Passive: classes were being taught by the Student at noon.
  • Active: we shall play a Hockey match tomorrow.
  • Passive: A hockey match will be played by us tomorrow.
  • Active: please make coffee for me.
  • Passive: Have coffee made for me, please.
  • Active: when will you return the novel?
  • Passive: When will the novel be returned by you?
  • Active: His sudden visit surprised me.
  • Passive: I was surprised at his sudden visit.

solved exercise of active and passive voice

Exercises of active and passive voice with example.

  • Active: she took the letter to the post office.
  • Passive:  the letter was taken by her to the Post office.
  • Active: he was planting new trees in the home garden.
  • Passive: New trees were being planted by him in the home garden.
  • Active: Go and wash the utensils.
  • Passive: Be gone and let the utensils be washed.
  • Active: sana behavior displeases me.
  • Passive: I am displeased by sana behavior.
  • Active: he will address a meeting here tomorrow.
  • Passive: The meeting will be addressed by him here tomorrow.
  • Active: The people need able leaders.
  • Passive: able leaders are needed by the people.
  • Active: we should construct new dams.
  • Passive: New dams should be constructed by us.
  • Active: Do not read harmful books.
  • Passive: let harmful books not be read by you.
  • Active: Read useful looks.
  • Passive: let the useful books be read.
  • Active: why are you wasting the best part of your school life?
  • Passive: why is the best part of your life being wasted by you?
  • Active: write your tuition work and bring it tomorrow.
  • Passive: Let your tuition be written and let it be brought tomorrow.

practice exercise of active and passive voice

  1. We compelled the enemy to surrender.
  2. The boy was bitten by a lion.
  3. The thief was not caught.
  4. The boy made a painting.
  5. The boy made a disturbance at the meeting.
  6. The captive was bound to a plant.
  7. The bird was killed by a girl.
  8. The sudden noise frightened the dog.
  9. She is loved by all.
  10. The exhibition was opened by the headmaster.
  11. Anwar see a dark cloud.

Exercises of active and passive voice

  1. her command was promptly obeyed.
  2. Some of the cargo had been damaged by the aircraft.
  3. Nothing will be gained by hurry.
  4. The lion chased the sheep.
  5. The field is ploughed.
  6. The cat was teased by the girl.
  7. The monkey drank all the water.
  8. A ball struck me on the head.
  9. The old girl takes snuff.
  10. The food was lost.
  11. The letter has just been posted.
  12. Rama was making a kite.
  13. The boy caught the ball.
  14. My father will write a book.
  15. I will conquer her.
  16. she kept me waiting.
  17. The hunter shot the sheep.
  18. Hart opened the door.
  19. Gentlemen caught the thief.
  20. Rishi threw the ball.
  21. He scored fifty runs.
  22. He made a remarkable discovery.
  23. Everyone loves her.
  24. My sister has drawn this picture.
  25. We expect good news.
  26. The farmer gathers the harvest.
  27. Her own sister swindled her.
  28. The recitation pleased the policemen.
  29. Somebody has put out the light.
  30. I have sold my train.
  31. We saw you and him.
  32. They asked me my nick name.
  33. We refused them admission.
  34. I bought the baby a football.
  35. A thunderstorm often turns milk sour.
  36. You cannot pump the ocean dry.
  37. He keeps me waiting.
  38. They painted the house red.
  39. He told me to leave the room.
  40. He promised me a present.
  41. I shall order the carriage.
  42. The boy is climbing the cliff.
  43. One may accomplish many things by a little effort.
  44. I am watching you very carefully.
  45. The road was lined With people.
  46. The President was welcomed by the people.

practice exercise of active and passive voice

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