The Use of Passive Voice
The Use of Passive Voice :
Study the following examples of the use of passive voice.
(1) How often is this carpet swept?
They sweep this carpet every day. (Active Voice)
This carpet is swept everyday, (passive voice)
(2) When was the rubbish taken away?
Someone took away the rubbish yesterday. (Active voice)
The rubbish was taken away yesterday. (Passive voice)
(3) What had already been moved by 2 O'clock?
Somebody had already moved the cycle by 2 O'clock. (Active voice)
The cycle had already been moved by two O’clock. (Passive voice)
(4) When will the lights be turned off?
They will turn off the lights at 10 O'clock. (Active voice)
The lights will be turned off at 10 O'clock. (Passive voice)
(5) Would it have been found if they had tried?
Somebody would have found it if they had tried. (Active voice)
It would have been found if they had tried. (Passive voice)
(6) Whose racket may not be borrowed?
No one may borrow Lakshman's racket. (Active voice)
Lakshman's racket may not be borrowed. (Passive voice)
(7) Could Mr. Pratap be found?
Nobody could find Mr. Pratap. (Active voice)
Mr. Pratap could not be found. (Passive voice)
(8) Must a doctor be fetched?
Someone must fetch a doctor. (Active voice)
A doctor must be fetched. (Passive voice)
(9) On what day the shops used to be shut?
They used to shut the shops on Sundays. (Active voice)
The shops used to be shut on Sundays. (Passive voice)
(10) Does Mrs. Giri want it mended?
Mrs. Giri would just as soon they didn't mend it. (Active voice)
Mrs. Giri would just as soon it wasn't mended. (Passive voice)
(11) Do people speak Hindi here?
People speak Hindi here. (Active voice)
Hindi is spoken here. (Passive voice)
(12) Who did pick it up in the street?
Someone picked it up in the street. (Active voice)
It was picked up in the street. (Passive voice)
(13) Has any one beaten him at this game?
No one has ever beaten him at this game. (Active voice)
He has not ever been beaten at this game. (Passive voice)
(14) Did anybody give her help?
Nobody gave her any help at all. (Active voice)
She was not given any help at all. (Passive voice)
(15) Must Candidates write the answers in ink?
Candidates must write the answers in ink. (Active voice)
The answers must be written in ink. (Passive voice)
The Use of Passive Voice
The Grammar Index
