Active and Passive Voice Rules and Exercises (Modal Auxiliaries)

PASSIVE VOICE OF SENTENCES WITH MODAL AUXILIARIES

 In such sentences, we use: modal auxiliary (would/should/can etc.) + be + III form of the verb + by a + agent (if necessary).

Active Voice   Passive Voice
1. Maninder can read this book.     This book can be read by Maninder.
2. You must obey the elders.   The elders must be obeyed by you.

PASSIVE OF NEGATIVE SENTENCES

 The passive of negative sentences is formed by putting not between the auxiliary and the ‘III form of the verb.’ The other rules remain the same.

Active VoicePassive Voice
1. Lions do not eat grass. 1. The grass is not eaten by lions.
2. The gardener did not water the plants.2. The plants were not watered by the gardener.
3. He will never help you.3. You will never be helped by him.
3. He will never help you.4. A letter is not being written by her.

PASSIVE OF INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES

Questions beginning with helping verbs.

 (a) If the question begins with do/does/did, the form will be: is/am/are/was/were + subject + Ill form of the verb.

 (b) If the question begins with the auxiliary, the passive form will be: Modal auxiliary + subject + he + 111 forms of the verb.

 (c) If the question begins with has/have/had, the passive form will be: has/have/had + been + III form of the verb.

 (d) If the question is a continuous tense, the passive structure will be: is/ant/are/was/ were + subject + being + 111 form of the verb.

Active Voice Passive Voice
1. Do you drink tea?  Is tea drunk by you?
2. Did he write a letter?Was a letter written by him?
3. Can you lift this box? Can this box be lifted by you?
4. Has he done his work?Has his work been done by him?
5. Is she singing a song? Is a song being sung by her?




Questions beginning with `who-words’, like what, why, when, etc.

 (a) The question word is retained at the beginning of the sentences. The rest of the rules are the same as in other questions.

 (b) In case of questions starting with ‘who’, the structure is: By + whom + helping verb + subject + III form of the verb.

Active Voice Passive Voice
1. Why did you beat Bunty? Why was Bunty beaten by you?
2. When did you meet Mohan?When was Mohan met by you?
3. Where did you leave the car? Where was the car left by you?
4. Who broke this slate? By whom was this slate broken?




CHANGE OF TENSE FROM ACTIVE TO PASSIVE VOICE

TenseRuleActive VoicePassive Voice
1.Present IndefiniteIs/am/are + III formRishi writes a letter.A letter is written by Rishi.
2. Present ContinuousIs/am/are+ being+ Ill formRishi is writing a letter.A letter is being written by Rishi.
3. Present PerfectHas/have+ been+ III formRishi has written a letter.A letter has been written by Rishi.
4. Past IndefiniteWas/were+ III formRishi wrote a letter.A letter was written by Rishi.
5. Past ContinuousWas/were+ being+ III formRishi was written a letter.A letter-writing was being by Rishi.
6. Past PerfectHad+ been+ III formRishi wrote a letter.A letter had been written by Rishi.
7. Future IndefiniteWill/shall+ be+ III formRishi will write a letter.A letter will be written by Rishi.
8. Future PerfectWill/shall+ been+ have + III formRishi will have written a letter.  A letter will have been written by Rishi.

Note: The sentences of Present, Past and Future Perfect Continuous Tenses and the Future Continuous Tense cannot be changed into Passive Voice.




PASSIVE OF IMPERATIVE SENTENCES

(a) An imperative sentence in passive voice begins with ‘let’. The passive form will be: let + he Ill form of the verb.

  (b) When there is already ‘let’ in the active sentence, the passive structure is the same as in (a) above.

(c) In sentences showing orders, requests etc., this form is used :

You are ordered/requested/advised + infinitive with ‘to’.

 Active Voice Passive Voice
1. Shut the door.   Let the door be shut.
2. Don’t tease the dog.Let the dog not be teased by you.
3. Let me write a letter.   Let a letter be written by me.
4. Please help me.   You are requested to help me.
5. Go there at once.   You are ordered to go there at once.




VERBS FOLLOWED BY MODALS

Passive Voice: Modal + be + 3rd form of the verb.

Active VoicePassive Voice
1. I can do this work.  This work can be done by me.
2. You should obey your parents.Your parents should be obeyed by you.
3. Would you take a cup of tea?Would a cup of tea be taken by you?
4. May I help you?May you be helped by me?




Exercise-1

Change the voice of the verbs in the following sentences:

1. We should respect our parents.

2. I can solve the sums.

3. You may use my pen.

4. She must have her share.

5. She would not help you.

 6. May I use your umbrella?

7. One should keep one’s promise.

8. Our team can win the match.

9. We ought to respect our teachers.

10. They may call me for the interview.

Need our help or have some question