UNIT 1 GRAMMAR - ACTIVE, PASSIVE VOICE

Let us recall

When we give importance to what people and things do, we use active verb forms. When

we give importance to what happens to people and things, we often use passive verb forms.

Change the following sentences to the other voice.

1. The manager appointed many office assistants.

Many office assistants were appointed by the manager.

2. You are making a cake now.

A cake is being made by you now.

3. That portrait was painted by my grandmother.

My grandmother painted that portrait.

4. Malini had bought a colorful hat for her daughter.

A colorful hat had been bought for her daughter by Malini.

(or) Malini's (her) daughter had been bought a colorful hat for Malini.

5. They have asked me to pay the fine.

I have been asked to pay the fine by them.

6. The militants were being taken to prison by the police.

The police was (were) taking the militants to prison.

7. His behaviour vexes me.

I am vexed (at / with / by) his behaviour.

8. Rosy will solve the problem.

The problem will be solved by Rosy.

9. Our army has defeated the enemy.

The enemy has been defeated by our army.

10. The salesman answered all the questions patiently.

All the questions were answered patiently by the salesman.

Change the following into Passive voice.

1. Please call him at once.

You are requested to call him at once.

2. How did you cross the river?

How was the river crossed by you?

3. No one is borrowing the novels from the library.

The novels are not being borrowed by any one from the library

4. Will you help me?

You are requested to help me. / Will I be helped by you?

5. Go for a jog early in the morning.

You are advised to go for a jog early in the morning.

6. Why have you left your brother at home?

Why has your brother been left at home?

7. Nobody should violate the rules.

The rules should not be violated.

8. Someone has to initiate it immediately.

It has to be initiated immediately.

9. Have you invited Raman to the party?

Has Raman been invited to the party by you?

10. Please do not walk on the grass.

You are requested not to walk on the grass.

11. Cross the busy roads carefully.

You are advised / instructed to cross the busy roads carefully.

12. When will you book the tickets to Bengaluru?

When will the tickets be booked to Bengaluru by you?

In the following sentences the verbs have two objects namely Direct and Indirect

objects. Change each of the following sentences into two passives using direct object

as the subject in one and indirect in the other.

1. John gave a bar of chocolate to Jill.

a. Jill was given a bar of chocolate by John.

b. A bar of chocolate was given to Jill by John.

2. Pragathi lent a pencil to Keerthana.

a. Keerthana was lent a pencil by Pragathi.

b. A pencil was lent to Keerthana by Pragathi.

3. Sudha told the truth to her friend.

a. Sudha’s friend was told the truth by her.

b. The truth was told to Sudha’s friend by her.

4. They offered the job to Venkat.

a. Venkat was offered the job by them.

b. The job was offered to Venkat by them.

5. The boss showed the new computer to Kaviya.

a. Kaviya was shown the new computer by the boss.

b. The new computer was shown to Kaviya by the boss.