Voice

Rules for Changing Active Voice to Passive Voice (All Tenses)

1. Identify the subject, verb, and object.
o Active: Subject + Verb + Object
o Passive: Object + Auxiliary verb (be form) + Past Participle + by + Subject
(optional)
2. Tense Rules:
o Simple Present: am/is/are + past participle
Active: She writes a letter. → Passive: A letter is written by her.
o Present Continuous: am/is/are + being + past participle
Active: He is reading a book. → Passive: A book is being read by him.
o Present Perfect: has/have + been + past participle
Active: They have finished the task. → Passive: The task has been finished by
them.
o Simple Past: was/were + past participle
Active: She cleaned the room. → Passive: The room was cleaned by her.
o Past Continuous: was/were + being + past participle
Active: They were watching TV. → Passive: TV was being watched by them.
o Past Perfect: had + been + past participle
Active: She had completed the work. → Passive: The work had been
completed by her.
o Simple Future: will/shall + be + past participle
Active: He will deliver the speech. → Passive: The speech will be delivered
by him.
o Future Perfect: will/shall + have + been + past participle
Active: They will have finished the project. → Passive: The project will have
been finished by them.
o Future Continuous & Perfect Continuous: Rarely used in passive.
3. Modal Verbs (can, may, must, should, etc.): modal + be + past participle
Active: They must follow the rules. → Passive: The rules must be followed by them.
4. Sentences with no object cannot be changed to passive voice.
1. Convert to passive voice:
Active: The chef cooked the meal.
Passive: The meal was cooked by the chef.
(Object → subject, verb changed to “was cooked”)
2. Rewrite in active voice:
Passive: The letter was written by John.
Active: John wrote the letter.
3. Change to passive:
Active: They will announce the results tomorrow.
Passive: The results will be announced tomorrow (by them).
4. Passive form of “Someone stole my purse”:
Active: Someone stole my purse.
Passive: My purse was stolen. (“Someone” omitted as it is unknown)
5. Convert to passive:
Active: The teacher praised the students.
Passive: The students were praised by the teacher.
6. Change the voice:
Passive: A song was being sung by her.
Active: She was singing a song.
7. Distinguish between active and passive voice:
 Active voice: The subject performs the action.
Example: The teacher explained the lesson.
 Passive voice: The action is performed on the subject.
Example: The lesson was explained by the teacher.
Converted to Passive Voice
a) The chef prepared a delicious meal.
→ A delicious meal was prepared by the chef.
b) The team completed the project before the deadline.
→ The project was completed before the deadline by the team.
c) The storm damaged several houses in the village.
→ Several houses in the village were damaged by the storm.
d) The teacher praised the students for their hard work.
→ The students were praised for their hard work by the teacher.
e) The company will launch a new product next month.
→ A new product will be launched next month by the company.
Convert the following sentences from active to passive with explanation
1. The doctor will examine the patient.
→ The patient will be examined by the doctor.
(Future Simple: will + be + past participle)
 2. The committee approved the new policy.
→ The new policy was approved by the committee.
(Past Simple: was + past participle)
3. The artist painted a beautiful mural.
→ A beautiful mural was painted by the artist.
(Past Simple)
Active → Passive
1. The scientist discovered a new element.
→ A new element was discovered by the scientist.
2. The company will release the software update next week.
→ The software update will be released next week by the company.
3. Students are preparing the project report.
→ The project report is being prepared by the students.
4. The chef cooked a delicious meal.
→ A delicious meal was cooked by the chef.
Passive → Active
1. The novel was written by Jane Austen.
→ Jane Austen wrote the novel.
2. A surprise party is being organized by her friends.
→ Her friends are organizing a surprise party.
3. The stolen jewels have been recovered by the police.
→ The police have recovered the stolen jewels.
4. The report was reviewed by the manager.
→ The manager reviewed the report.
Active → Passive
1. The committee will announce the results tomorrow.
→ The results will be announced tomorrow by the committee.
2. Scientists have discovered a new planet.
→ A new planet has been discovered by scientists.
3. The chef prepares fresh meals daily.
→ Fresh meals are prepared daily by the chef.
4. He said that he would visit the museum the following day.
→ It was said by him that the museum would be visited the following day. (Indirect
speech retains structure)
Passive → Active
1. The cake was baked by my mother.
→ My mother baked the cake.
 2. The letter was written by Sarah.
→ Sarah wrote the letter.
3. The project will be finished by them next week.
→ They will finish the project next week.
4. The homework has been done by the students.
→ The students have done the homework.
5. The car is repaired by him.
→ He repairs the car.
6. The lesson is being explained by the teacher.
→ The teacher is explaining the lesson.
7. The books were returned by the librarian.
→ The librarian returned the books.
8. A beautiful poem was written by her.
→ She wrote a beautiful poem.
9. The problem was solved by the engineer.
→ The engineer solved the problem.
10. The room had been cleaned by the maid.
→ The maid had cleaned the room.
Active → Passive
1. She writes a letter every day.
→ A letter is written by her every day.
2. They cleaned the classroom yesterday.
→ The classroom was cleaned yesterday by them.
3. The manager will announce the results soon.
→ The results will be announced soon by the manager.
4. He is reading a novel.
→ A novel is being read by him.
5. We watched the movie last night.
→ The movie was watched last night by us.
6. The chef is preparing the meal.
→ The meal is being prepared by the chef.
7. They have completed the assignment.
→ The assignment has been completed by them.
8. Someone stole my bicycle.
→ My bicycle was stolen.
9. She will deliver the speech tomorrow.
→ The speech will be delivered tomorrow by her.
 10. The boy kicked the ball.
→ The ball was kicked by the boy.
Change the voice (as directed)
1. She writes a letter. (Passive) → A letter is written by her.
2. The cake was baked by the chef. (Active) → The chef baked the cake.
3. They are watching a movie. (Passive) → A movie is being watched by them.
4. The song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar. (Active) → Lata Mangeshkar sang the song.
5. He will complete the project. (Passive) → The project will be completed by him.
6. The window was broken by the boy. (Active) → The boy broke the window.
7. We celebrate Independence Day on 15th August. (Passive) → Independence Day is
celebrated on 15th August by us.
8. A story was being told by the teacher. (Active) → The teacher was telling a story.
9. She has painted the wall. (Passive) → The wall has been painted by her.
10. The room is being cleaned by them. (Active) → They are cleaning the room.

Simple, Compound, or Complex Sentences

1. Simple Sentence
 Contains one independent clause.
 Has a subject and predicate.
 Expresses a complete thought.
Example: She reads books.
2. Compound Sentence
 Contains two or more independent clauses.
 Joined by coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), semicolons, or
transitional words.
Example: He was tired, but he continued working.
3. Complex Sentence
 Contains one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause.
 Joined by subordinating conjunctions (because, although, since, when, after,
while, etc.) or relative pronouns (who, which, that).
Example: Although it was raining, we went out.
4. Difference: Compound vs. Complex
 Compound: Two independent clauses joined equally.
Example: I was tired, and I went to bed.
 Complex: One independent + one dependent clause (shows subordination).
Example: I went to bed because I was tired.
5. Use of Passive Voice in Formal Writing
 Used when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or less important
than the action itself.
 Common in scientific, academic, and formal contexts.
Examples:
 The experiment was conducted successfully.
 Mistakes were made in the report.
1. Identify the sentence type:
Sentence: He ran fast, but he missed the bus.
Answer: Compound sentence
Explanation: Contains two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction
“but.”
2. Combine using ‘although’:
Sentences: It was raining. We went out.
Answer: Although it was raining, we went out.
Explanation: Subordinating conjunction “although” introduces a dependent clause.
3. Define a complex sentence with an example.
Definition: A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent
clause connected by a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun.
Example: When the bell rang, the students left the classroom.
4. Differentiate between compound and complex sentences.
 Compound sentence: Combines two or more independent clauses using coordinating
conjunctions.
Example: I finished my homework, and I played games.
 Complex sentence: Combines one independent clause with one or more dependent
clauses using subordinating conjunctions.
Example: I played games after I finished my homework.
5. Rewrite as a simple sentence:
Sentence: After finishing his work, he went home.
Answer: He went home after finishing his work.
Explanation: The dependent clause is reduced to a participial phrase.
6. Identify the sentence type:
Sentence: When the rain stopped, we left.
Answer: Complex sentence
Explanation: Contains a dependent clause (“When the rain stopped”) and an independent
clause (“we left”).
7. Combine:
Sentences: He was ill. He attended the meeting.
Answer: Although he was ill, he attended the meeting.
Explanation: Subordinating conjunction “although” is used.
8. Explain the use of passive voice in formal writing with examples.
Answer: Passive voice is used in formal writing to:
 Focus on the action rather than the doer.
 Maintain objectivity and formality.
 Use when the subject is unknown or irrelevant.
Examples:
 The proposal was approved by the board.
 Data were analyzed using advanced software.
9. Compare simple, compound, and complex sentences with examples.
 Simple: One independent clause.
Example: She sings well.
 Compound: Two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions.
Example: She sings well, and she dances beautifully.
 Complex: One independent clause + one or more dependent clauses.
Example: She sings well because she practices daily.
10. Write a brief note on complex sentences with examples.
A complex sentence has one main (independent) clause and at least one dependent clause. It
shows a relationship of time, cause, condition, or contrast.
Examples:
 Because it was raining, we stayed inside.
 I will call you when I reach home.
11. Write a brief note on compound sentences with examples.
A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses of equal importance joined
by coordinating conjunctions, semicolons, or transitional expressions.
Examples:
 She was tired, yet she completed her work.
  I wanted to go to the park; however, it started raining.
12. Identify sentence types:
1. She loves to read books in the morning. – Simple
2. I was late, but the teacher allowed me to enter. – Compound
3. Although it was raining, we went for a walk. – Complex
4. The children played in the garden. – Simple
5. He failed the test because he didn’t study. – Complex
6. I wanted to go shopping, so I called my friend. – Compound
7. After the movie ended, we went out for dinner. – Complex
8. The dog barked. – Simple
9. He ran fast, yet he missed the bus. – Compound
10. When she arrived at school, the bell had already rung. – Complex

Speech
1. Direct Speech
 Quoting the exact words spoken.
 Enclosed within quotation marks.
 Example: She said, “I am happy.”
2. Indirect Speech (Reported Speech)
 Reporting what someone said without using exact words.
 No quotation marks used.
 Example: She said that she was happy.
3. Rules for Changing Direct to Indirect Speech
1. Change of Pronouns
o Pronouns change according to the subject and object of the reporting verb.
o He said, “I am tired.” → He said that he was tired.
2. Change of Tenses
o If the reporting verb is in past tense, the tense usually shifts one step back:
 Present → Past
 Present Continuous → Past Continuous
  Present Perfect → Past Perfect
 Past → Past Perfect
 Future → Would
o She said, “I am happy.” → She said that she was happy.
o Exception: Universal truths and habitual facts do not change.
The teacher said, “The Sun rises in the east.” → The teacher said that the Sun
rises in the east.
3. Change of Time and Place Adverbs
o now → then
o today → that day
o tomorrow → the next day / the following day
o yesterday → the previous day / the day before
o here → there
o this → that
o these → those
4. Reporting Verbs
o said → said (that)
o said to → told
o asked → asked / enquired
o exclaimed → exclaimed that
o requested → requested to
5. Imperatives
o Change to to + verb or not to + verb.
o She said, “Open your books.” → She told us to open our books.
6. Questions
o Remove question marks; use if/whether for yes-no questions, and keep wh-
words for WH-questions.
7. Exclamations and Interjections
o Use words like exclaimed, expressed, cried out, said with joy/sorrow etc.
4. Common Errors in Reported Speech
 Forgetting to change pronouns.
  Incorrect tense shift.
 Missing “that” after reporting verb.
 Keeping question mark in indirect questions.
 Not changing time/place adverbs.
1. Change to indirect speech:
Direct: She said, “I am tired.”
Indirect: She said that she was tired.
Convert to direct speech:
Indirect: He asked if she was coming.
Direct: He said, “Are you coming?”
Convert to indirect:
Direct: He said, “I can solve this problem.”
Indirect: He said that he could solve that problem.
Change to direct speech:
Indirect: She exclaimed that it was beautiful.
Direct: She said, “It is beautiful!”
Convert to indirect:
Direct: They said, “We have won the match.”
Indirect: They said that they had won the match.
Rewrite the dialogue in indirect speech:
Direct:
 John: I can't attend the meeting tomorrow.
 Mary: Why not? It’s very important.
 John: I have a doctor’s appointment.
 Mary: You should inform the manager immediately.
Indirect:
John said that he couldn’t attend the meeting the next day.
Mary asked why not and said that it was very important.
John replied that he had a doctor’s appointment.
Mary advised him to inform the manager immediately.
Change from direct to indirect speech:
1. Tom said, “I finished my assignment yesterday.”
→ Tom said that he had finished his assignment the previous day.
 2. The teacher asked, “Have you submitted your essays?”
→ The teacher asked if we had submitted our essays.
3. She exclaimed, “What a beautiful painting!”
→ She exclaimed that it was a beautiful painting.
4. John said, “I am going to the market.”
→ John said that he was going to the market.
Change from indirect to direct speech:
1. He said that he would visit the museum the following day.
→ He said, “I will visit the museum tomorrow.”
2. She told me that she was feeling tired.
→ She said, “I am feeling tired.”
3. They asked if I could help them with the project.
→ They asked, “Can you help us with the project?”
4. The teacher said that the exam would be next week.
→ The teacher said, “The exam will be next week.”
Rewrite the dialogue in indirect speech:
Direct:
 Anna: “Are you coming to the party tonight?”
 Ben: “Yes, I am. What time does it start?”
 Anna: “It starts at 8 PM.”
 Ben: “Great! I will see you there.”
Indirect:
Anna asked Ben if he was coming to the party that night.
Ben replied that he was and asked what time it started.
Anna said that it started at 8 PM.
Ben said that he would see her there.
Rewrite the following in direct speech:
1. She said that she was tired.
→ She said, “I am tired.”
2. He told me that he would call me later.
→ He said, “I will call you later.”
3. They said that they were going to the market.
→ They said, “We are going to the market.”
4. The teacher told the students to open their books.
→ The teacher said, “Open your books.”
 5. She said that she couldn’t attend the meeting.
→ She said, “I can’t attend the meeting.”
6. John said that he had finished his homework.
→ John said, “I have finished my homework.”
7. He told his friend that he was watching a movie.
→ He said, “I am watching a movie.”
8. Mary said that she loved chocolate.
→ Mary said, “I love chocolate.”
9. The boy said that he had seen the lion at the zoo.
→ The boy said, “I saw the lion at the zoo.”
10. They said that they would visit us next week.
→ They said, “We will visit you next week.”
Rewrite the following sentences in indirect speech:
1. She said, “I am tired.”
→ She said that she was tired.
2. He said, “I will call you later.”
→ He said that he would call me later.
3. They said, “We are going to the market.”
→ They said that they were going to the market.
4. The teacher said, “Open your books.”
→ The teacher told us to open our books.
5. She said, “I can’t attend the meeting.”
→ She said that she couldn’t attend the meeting.
6. John said, “I have finished my homework.”
→ John said that he had finished his homework.
7. He said, “I am watching a movie.”
→ He said that he was watching a movie.
8. Mary said, “I love chocolate.”
→ Mary said that she loved chocolate.
9. The boy said, “I saw the lion at the zoo.”
→ The boy said that he had seen the lion at the zoo.
10. They said, “We will visit you next week.”
→ They said that they would visit me next week.
Change the speech as directed:
1. She said, “I am going to the market.”
→ She said that she was going to the market.
 2. He said that he was tired.
→ He said, “I am tired.”
3. Rita said, “I will help you with your homework.”
→ Rita said that she would help me with my homework.
4. They said that they had finished their lunch.
→ They said, “We have finished our lunch.”
5. He said, “I don’t like horror movies.”
→ He said that he didn’t like horror movies.
6. She said that she couldn’t attend the meeting.
→ She said, “I can’t attend the meeting.”
7. The teacher said, “The Earth revolves around the Sun.”
→ The teacher said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
8. Mother said that dinner was ready.
→ Mother said, “Dinner is ready.”
9. He said, “I have never seen such a beautiful painting.”
→ He said that he had never seen such a beautiful painting.
10. The guard said that the building was locked.
→ The guard said, “The building is locked.”
Fill in the blanks with the correct tense form of the verb given in brackets:
1. She goes (go) to school every day.
o Present Simple Tense – used for daily routines and habitual actions.
2. They are playing (play) football right now.
o Present Continuous Tense – used for actions happening at the moment of
speaking.
3. I finished (finish) my homework yesterday.
o Past Simple Tense – used for completed actions in the past with a specific time
reference.
4. He does not like (not/like) spicy food.
o Present Simple Tense – used for general facts and preferences.
5. We will visit (visit) Paris next summer.
o Future Simple Tense – used for planned or predicted future actions.
6. The train arrived (arrive) at 8 p.m. yesterday.
o Past Simple Tense – used for completed actions at a definite time in the past.
7. She has been studying (study) English for five years.
 o Present Perfect Continuous Tense – used for actions that started in the past and
are still continuing or have recently stopped, emphasizing duration.
8. I saw (see) that movie last week.
o Past Simple Tense – used for a completed action in the past.
9. They have lived (live) here since 2010.
o Present Perfect Tense – used for actions that began in the past and continue to
the present.
10. He is writing (write) a letter at the moment.
 Present Continuous Tense – used for actions happening right now.