For sentences in the active voice, the subject performs the action; for those in the passive voice, the subject receives the action. Most grammarians recommend using the active voice whenever possible. Here are some examples to help you distinguish between the voices:
Basic English Grammar rules can be tricky. In this article, we’ll get you started with the basics of sentence structure, punctuation, parts of speech, and more.
Active and Passive Voice Exercises for Class 8 With Answers CBSE Pdf
In English, all sentences are written in either of the two voices active or passive voice. The voice of a sentence tells us whether the subject in a sentence is performing an action or receiving an action. When the subject is the performer or doer of the action, the verb is in active voice. When the subject of the sentence is the receiver of the action, the verb is in passive voice.
Active: Eva sent an email. (subject = doer = Eva, object = an email)
Passive: An email was sent by Eva. (subject = an email, doer = Eva)
It is best to use active voice wherever possible. It is simple and easy to understand.
We use passive voice:
1. when the doer of the action is obvious.
Example:
- English is spoken all over the world. (by people)
2. when we do not know the doer.
Example:
- The cup was broken. (by somebody we don’t know)
3. when the person or thing acted upon or the action is more important than the doer or when the doer is irrelevant.
Example:
- Laws have been passed in Nevada, Florida and California, allowing self-driving cars on the roads.
4. when we want to be vague about who is responsible.
Example:
- Brian: ‘Mom, the blue vase is broken.
5. informal speeches and reports.
There are a few points we must keep in mind about passive voice.
Sentences with intransitive verbs (verbs without objects) cannot have passive voice.
Example:
The baby cried. The child sleeps.
- Passive voice is possible only for verbs with objects (transitive verbs).
If there are two objects, any one of the two can be made the subject. However, a person is usually made the subject of the sentence rather than an inanimate object.
Examples:
- We gave a birthday gift to Manu. (birthday gift = direct object, Manu = indirect object)
- Manu was given a birthday gift (by us).
- A birthday gift was given to Manu. (by us can be omitted)
A. Tick the correct form of the verbs to complete the passage.
Do you (know/is known) how many languages (spoke/are spoken) in India? Hindi is one of the twenty-two official languages of India. It (used/is used) by a large section of the population in the northern parts of the country and it (understood is understood) by many people who (speak/are spoken) other languages such as Gujarati, Marathi, Rajasthani and so on.
The languages of South India—Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu—(consider/are considered) to be Dravidian languages. Only a small percentage of the Indian population (uses/are used) English. But this small percentage (constitutes/are constituted) more than 70 million, a number that is higher than the population of the U.K.
Answer:
Do you know (know/is known) how many languages are spoken (spoke/are spoken) in India? Hindi is one of the twenty-two official languages of India. It is used (used/is used) by a large section of the population in the northern parts of the country and it is understood (understood/ is understood) by many people who speak (speak/are spoken) other languages such as Gujarati, Marathi, Rajasthani and so on.
The languages of South India—Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu— are considered (consider/are considered) to be Dravidian languages. Only a small percentage of the Indian population uses (uses/are used) English. But this small percentage constitutes (constitutes/ are constituted) more than 70 million, a number that is higher than the population of . the U.K.
B. Here are two reports of the same event in two newspapers. The main verbs in the first report have been underlined. Read the second report and underline the corresponding verbs. One has been done for you.
| 68 years of independence celebrated Ahmedabad: Aug 16. A function was organized by The Freedom Fighters’ Club to celebrate 68 years of independence. Mr Ashok Desai was invited to preside over the function. The respected leader was welcomed Warn-fly by the reception committee.A thought-provoking speech on civic responsibility was made by the leader. He was cheered enthusiastically by the audience. |
Freedom fighters celebrate independence Ahmedabad: Aug 16. The Freedom Fighters’ Club organized a function to celebrate 68 years of independence. They invited Mr Ashok Desai to preside over the function.The reception committee welcomed the respected leader warmly. The leader made a thought-provoking speech on civic responsibility. The audience cheered him enthusiastically. |
which of these reports uses passive voice?
Answer:
| 68 years of independence celebrated Ahmedabad: Aug 16. A function was organized by The Freedom Fighters’ Club to celebrate 68 years of independence. Mr Ashok Desai was invited to preside over the function.The respected leader was welcomed Warn-fly by the reception committee. A thought-provoking speech on civic responsibility was made by the leader. He was cheered enthusiastically by the audience. |
Freedom fighters celebrate independence Ahmedabad: Aug 16. The Freedom Fighters’ Club organized a function to celebrate 68 years of independence. They invited Mr Ashok Desai to preside over the function.The reception committee welcomed the respected leader warmly. The leader made a thought-provoking speech on civic responsibility. The audience cheered him enthusiastically. |
The first report on the celebration of Independence Day uses passive voice.
Tenses
Study the verbs in the active and passive forms in these sentences.
| Tense | Active voice | Passive voice | Verb change |
| Simple present | Celine draws beautiful pictures. | Beautiful pictures are drawn by Celine. | (be verb + past participle) |
| Simple past | Anil made a frame. | A-frame was made by Anil. | (be verb + past participle) |
| Present continuous | Sunil and Anil are painting the big canvas. | The big canvas is being painted by Sunil and Anil. | (be verb + being + past participle) |
| Past continuous | They were whitewashing the wall yesterday. | The wall was being whitewashed by them yesterday. | (be verb + being + past participle) |
| Present perfect | They have invited you. | You have been invited. | (have/has + been + past participle) |
| Past perfect | I had eaten all the apples. | All the apples had been eaten by me. | (ihad + been + past -> participle) |
| Simple future | They will decorate the clay pots. | The clay pots will be decorated by them. | {will be + past participle) |
| Modals | I can do it. He may drive the car. |
It can be done by me. The car may be driven by him. |
(modal + be + past participle) |
Present And Past Passive
The tense of a passive sentence can be a little confusing to identify. We must remember that a sentence in passive voice will always use a past participle form of the verb even in present tense. In simple present passive and simple past passive, the difference is only the be verb.
- Greeting cards are made with chart paper. (simple present, passive)
(We make greeting cards with chart paper.) - These pictures were painted by those children. (simple past, passive)
(Those children painted these pictures.)
In perfect passive, have/has is used to show present tense and had is used for past tense. Been + past participle is a constant for both present and past perfect passive.
- The dish has been made by my brother. (present perfect, passive)
- All the apples had been eaten by me. (past perfect, passive)
In continuous passive, being + past participle is used in both present and past continuous passive. The only difference between present and past is the be verb.
- A function is being organized to celebrate Women’s Day. (present continuous, passive)
- A function was being organized to celebrate Women’s Day. (past continuous, passive)
C. Read this news item. Underline the verbs in passive constructions.
Harappan Sites Excavated
Bhilwara: A Harappan site has been excavated by the archaeologists at Ojhiana in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. The existence of a highly developed civilization in this area has been indicated by this latest discovery. This was stated by the Superintendent of the Archaeological Survey of India. It is proved beyond doubt that the city was destroyed by a devastating fire. All the articles were burnt in this fire. Burnt wheat grains were also found here.
Wheat was cultivated by the people of this area. This fact has been indicated by those burnt grains. Mud houses with many chambers have been found. Bricks were also used by those people. The floor of their houses was made in such a way that seepage and microbes could not affect them.
Answer:
Harappan Sites Excavated
Bhilwara: A Harappan site has been excavated by the Archaeologists at Ojhiana in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. The existence of a highly developed civilization in this area has been indicated by this latest discovery. This was stated by the Superintendent of the Archaeological Survey of India. It is proved beyond doubt that the city was destroyed by a devastating fire. All the articles were burnt in this fire. Burnt wheat grains were also found here.
Wheat was cultivated by the people of this area. This fact has been indicated by those burnt grains. Mud houses with many chambers have been found. Bricks were also used by those people. The floor of their houses was made in such a way that seepage and microbes could not affect them.
D. Amit and Sargam are walking through the Sagano Bamboo forest in Japan. Identify the tense of these passive sentences and underline the verbs that helped you do it. One has been done for you. (Hint: Look for past participle forms of verbs.)
Question 1.
This forest is considered to be the most peaceful place on earth. Simple present
Answer:
This forest is considered to be the most peaceful place on earth. Simple present
Question 2.
The bamboo shoots were planted many years ago. …………………………..
Answer:
The bamboo shoots were planted many years ago. Simple past
Question 3.
This forest had been considered to be a place of great natural beauty even in the ninth century. …………………………..
Answer:
This forest had been considered to be a place of great natural beauty even in the ninth century. Present perfect
Question 4.
Sargam is surprised by the sound of the wind. …………………………..
Answer:
Sargam is surprised by the sound of the wind. Simple present
Question 5.
A unique sound is made by the clashing bamboo shoots when the wind blows …………………………..
Answer:
A unique sound is made by the clashing bamboo shoots when the wind blows. Simple present
Question 6.
This sound has been voted as one of the “must-be-preserved sounds of Japan’ by the Japanese government. …………………………..
Answer:
This sound has been voted as one of the ‘must-be-preserved sounds of Japan’ by theJapanese government. Present perfect ‘
Question 7.
Many shrines, temples and hermitages in the forest are being visited by Amit and Sargam. …………………………..
Answer:
Many shrines, temples and hermitages in the forest are being visited by Anya and Lavita. Present continuous
Question 8.
This photo was taken by Sargam on her trip …………………………..
Answer:
This photo was taken by Fiza on her trip. Simple past
Future Passive
In passive sentences in simple future tense, be is added and past participle form of the verb is used.
Examples:
- I will water the plants tomorrow.
The plants will be watered by me tomorrow. - We will prosecute trespassers.
Trespassers will be prosecuted.
E. Fill in the blanks in the sentences to change them into active voice. One has been done for you.
1. An auditorium will be built within the next two years.
We will build an auditorium within the next two years.
2. The school playground has been given a new look.
They ………………………….. a new look to the school playground.
3. A swimming pool will be constructed within the next five years.
We ………………………….. a swimming pool within the next five years.
4. The walls have been whitewashed.
They ………………………….. the walls.
5. New audio-visual equipment has been installed in classrooms.
They ………………………….. new audio-visual equipment in classrooms.
6. High standards of conduct and academic excellence are expected from the students.
We ………………………….. high standards of conduct and academic excellence from the students.
Answer:
1. An auditorium will be built within the next two years.
We will build an auditorium within the next two years.
2. The school playground has been given a new look.
They gave a new look to the school playground.
3. A swimming pool will be constructed within the next five years.
We will construct a swimming pool within the next five years.
4. The walls have been whitewashed.
They whitewashed the walls.
5. New audio-visual equipment has been installed in classrooms.
They installed new audio-visual equipment in classrooms,
6. High standards of conduct and academic excellence are expected from the students.
We expected high standards of conduct and academic excellence from the students.
Modals And Infinitives In Passive Voice
In sentences using models and infinitives, we add be and use the passive form of the verbs in passive voice. (like in passive sentences in simple future tense)
Examples:
| Verbs | Active voice | Passive voice |
| can | Enna can send emails. | Emails can be sent by Enna. |
| could | Ishan could send cards. | Cards could be sent by Ishan. |
| may | They may write letters. | Letters may be written by them. |
| might | Manish might invite Shyama. | Shyama might be invited by Manish. |
| must | They must invite Mira Mehta. | Mira Mehta must be invited. |
| should | We should buy gifts for them. | Gifts should be bought for them. |
| would | Ishani would welcome us. | We would be welcomed by Ishani. |
| let | Let us inform Kishore. | Let Kishore be informed. |
| infinitives | Ishita has to get their signatures. I want you to post the letter. He wants you to send an email to them immediately. |
Their signatures have to be gotten by Ishita. I want the letter to be posted. He wants an email to be sent to them immediately. |
| modal and perfect infinitive | Their parents must have given them the required permission. | The required permission must have been given by their parents. |
| going to | Children are going to inflate the balloons. | The balloons are going to be inflated by children. |
F. Rewrite the following sentences in the passive. The beginning of each has been given.
1. Saina could not open the email attachment.
The email attachment …………………………..
2. Hamid has to convey the message.
The message …………………………..
3. Let her forward the message to me.
Let the message …………………………..
4. She must send another email to them.
Another email …………………………..
5. The delay in delivery might offend the chief.
The chief …………………………..
Answer:
1. Saina could not open the email attachment.
The email attachment could not be opened bv Sania.
2. Hamid has to convey the message.
The message had to be conveyed bv Hamid.
3. Let her forward the message to me.
Let the message be forwarded to me.
4. She must send another email to them.
Another email must be sent by her.
5. The delay in delivery might offend the chief.
The chief might be offended bv the delay in delivery.
Imperatives In Passive Voice
Study how these imperative sentences in active voice are changed into passive voice.
| 1. Convey the message. | The message may/must/should be conveyed. |
| 2. Please do not open this door. | This door should not be opened. |
| 3. Speak the truth. | Let the truth be spoken. |
G. Here is a recipe for some rice pudding. Discuss with a partner and change the following instructions to passive voice. One has been done for you.
1. Wash and soak the rice (100 gm) for 20 minutes.
Rice (100 gm) must be washed and soaked for 20 minutes.
2. Boil five litres of milk in a large pan.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Add the soaked rice to the boiling milk.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Stir the milk constantly for 15 minutes.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Add 75 gm sugar and boil the milk for five minutes.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
6. Remove the pan from heat when the rice is well cooked.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
7. Keep it aside to cool.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
8. Add some rose water and sliced pistachios.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
9. Keep the pudding in the refrigerator till serving time.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Answer:
1. Wash and soak the rice (100 gm) for 20 minutes.
Rice (100 gmt must be washed and soaked for 20 minutes.
2. Boil five litres of milk in a large pan.
Five litres of milk should be boiled in a large pan.
3. Add the soaked rice to the boiling milk.
The soaked rice should be added to the boiling milk.
4. Stir the milk constantly for 15 minutes.
The milk must be stirred constantly for 15 minutes.
5. Add 75 gm sugar and boil the milk for five minutes.
75 grams of sugar must be added . and the milk should be boiled for five minutes.
6. Remove the pan from heat when the rice is well-cooked.
The pan must eb removed from heat when the rice is well-cooked.
7. Keep it aside to cool.
It should be kept aside to cool.
8. Add some rose water and sliced pistachios.
Some rose water and sliced pistachios must eb added.
9. Keep the pudding in the refrigerator till serving time.
The pudding should be kept in the refrigerator till serving time.