English Grammar for Placements
Active and Passive Voice
Learn how to convert active voice to passive voice across tenses with rules, examples, and exam practice.
Introduction
The passive is useful when the action or result matters more than the doer, when the doer is unknown, or when formal writing intentionally focuses on a process.
Only transitive verbs—verbs that take an object—normally form a passive. The active object becomes the passive subject.
Definition
Active voice places the doer as the subject. Passive voice places the receiver of the action as the subject and uses a form of be plus a past participle.
The definition should be applied through meaning and context. In objective examinations, two forms may appear structurally possible, but only one expresses the intended relationship accurately.
Formula and structure
Active: Subject + verb + object
Passive: Object + be (correct tense) + past participle + by + subject
Active & Passive Voice rules
- Identify the active object before attempting conversion.
- Keep the original tense by changing the form of be, not the past participle.
- Use by plus the agent only when the doer adds useful information.
- Modal passive uses modal + be + past participle.
- Imperative passive commonly uses let + object + be + past participle.
Examples with explanation
The engineer tested the circuit. → The circuit was tested by the engineer.
This example demonstrates rule 1: Identify the active object before attempting conversion.
They are repairing the board. → The board is being repaired.
This example demonstrates rule 2: Keep the original tense by changing the form of be, not the past participle.
You must submit the form. → The form must be submitted.
This example demonstrates rule 3: Use by plus the agent only when the doer adds useful information.
Someone has stolen the device. → The device has been stolen.
This example demonstrates rule 4: Modal passive uses modal + be + past participle.
Common mistakes
Changing the original tense during conversion.
Using a second verb form instead of a past participle.
Trying to passivize an intransitive verb such as arrive.
Adding by someone when the unknown agent should be omitted.
Active & Passive Voice practice questions
Answer each question before opening the solution. These initial questions demonstrate the practice format; the bank is designed to expand without changing the page URL.
Multiple-choice questions
1. Which verbs normally form a passive?
- Only intransitive verbs
- Transitive verbs
- Modal verbs only
- Linking verbs only
Answer: Transitive verbs
2. Choose the passive of “They repaired the board.”
- The board repaired.
- The board was repaired.
- The board is repair.
- The board has repairing.
Answer: The board was repaired.
3. Which statement about active & passive voice is correct?
- Identify the active object before attempting conversion.
- Changing the original tense during conversion.
- The rule depends only on sentence length.
- No grammatical context is required.
Answer: Identify the active object before attempting conversion.
4. Which statement about active & passive voice is correct?
- Keep the original tense by changing the form of be, not the past participle.
- Using a second verb form instead of a past participle.
- The rule depends only on sentence length.
- No grammatical context is required.
Answer: Keep the original tense by changing the form of be, not the past participle.
5. Which statement about active & passive voice is correct?
- Use by plus the agent only when the doer adds useful information.
- Trying to passivize an intransitive verb such as arrive.
- The rule depends only on sentence length.
- No grammatical context is required.
Answer: Use by plus the agent only when the doer adds useful information.
6. Which statement about active & passive voice is correct?
- Modal passive uses modal + be + past participle.
- Adding by someone when the unknown agent should be omitted.
- The rule depends only on sentence length.
- No grammatical context is required.
Answer: Modal passive uses modal + be + past participle.
Fill in the blanks
1. Study this example and identify the rule used: “The engineer tested the circuit. → The circuit was tested by the engineer.”
Answer: Identify the active object before attempting conversion.
2. Study this example and identify the rule used: “They are repairing the board. → The board is being repaired.”
Answer: Keep the original tense by changing the form of be, not the past participle.
3. Study this example and identify the rule used: “You must submit the form. → The form must be submitted.”
Answer: Use by plus the agent only when the doer adds useful information.
4. Study this example and identify the rule used: “Someone has stolen the device. → The device has been stolen.”
Answer: Modal passive uses modal + be + past participle.
Error detection
1. Find or correct the error: Changing the original tense during conversion.
Explanation: Review rule: Identify the active object before attempting conversion.
2. Find or correct the error: Using a second verb form instead of a past participle.
Explanation: Review rule: Keep the original tense by changing the form of be, not the past participle.
3. Find or correct the error: Trying to passivize an intransitive verb such as arrive.
Explanation: Review rule: Use by plus the agent only when the doer adds useful information.
4. Find or correct the error: Adding by someone when the unknown agent should be omitted.
Explanation: Review rule: Modal passive uses modal + be + past participle.
Active & Passive Voice interview questions
- Explain active & passive voice in your own words.
- What is the most important rule in active & passive voice?
- Give a correct workplace example involving active & passive voice.
- Which active & passive voice mistake do candidates make most often?
- How would you correct an unclear sentence involving this topic?
PDF notes
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Frequently asked questions
What is Active & Passive Voice?
Active voice places the doer as the subject. Passive voice places the receiver of the action as the subject and uses a form of be plus a past participle.
Why is active & passive voice important for placement exams?
It is commonly tested through sentence correction, error detection, fill-in-the-blank, verbal ability, and interview communication tasks.
How should I study active & passive voice?
Understand the underlying meaning, learn the core rules, compare correct and incorrect examples, and then practise questions with explanations.
Can I save these active & passive voice notes as a PDF?
Yes. Use the Save PDF notes button and select Save as PDF in your browser's print dialog.