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๐ Content updated on 27 April 2026
๐ Active & Passive Voice – Quick Summary:
In active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., "The chef cooked the meal"). In passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., "The meal was cooked by the chef"). Passive voice uses a form of 'be' + past participle. It is often used when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each active sentence and change it to passive voice, or identify whether the sentence is active or passive. Then click “Show Answer” to see the correct transformation, a clear explanation, and a fresh example.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each active sentence and change it to passive voice, or identify whether the sentence is active or passive. Then click “Show Answer” to see the correct transformation, a clear explanation, and a fresh example.
In this worksheet:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
Understanding voice helps you decide whether to focus on the doer or the action. Our
Active & Passive Voice
concept post covers all tenses with rules. When you're ready to move from voice to speech, the
Direct & Indirect Speech
lesson is your next stop.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Let's learn how to change sentences from active to passive across different tenses.
Solved Q.1
"The cat chased the mouse." (Change to Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The mouse was chased by the cat.
Explanation: Simple past active → passive: object 'the mouse' becomes subject, verb 'chased' becomes 'was chased', and the subject 'the cat' becomes the agent with 'by'.
Example: The boy broke the window. → The window was broken by the boy.
Explanation: Simple past active → passive: object 'the mouse' becomes subject, verb 'chased' becomes 'was chased', and the subject 'the cat' becomes the agent with 'by'.
Example: The boy broke the window. → The window was broken by the boy.
Solved Q.2
"She sings a song." (Change to Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: A song is sung by her.
Explanation: Simple present active → passive: object becomes subject, verb 'sings' becomes 'is sung'. Use 'am/is/are' + past participle.
Example: He plays cricket. → Cricket is played by him.
Explanation: Simple present active → passive: object becomes subject, verb 'sings' becomes 'is sung'. Use 'am/is/are' + past participle.
Example: He plays cricket. → Cricket is played by him.
Solved Q.3
"They have completed the project." (Change to Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The project has been completed by them.
Explanation: Present perfect active → passive: has/have + been + past participle. 'Have completed' becomes 'has been completed'.
Example: She has written a poem. → A poem has been written by her.
Explanation: Present perfect active → passive: has/have + been + past participle. 'Have completed' becomes 'has been completed'.
Example: She has written a poem. → A poem has been written by her.
Solved Q.4
"He is painting a portrait." (Change to Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: A portrait is being painted by him.
Explanation: Present continuous active → passive: am/is/are + being + past participle. 'Is painting' becomes 'is being painted'.
Example: She is reading a book. → A book is being read by her.
Explanation: Present continuous active → passive: am/is/are + being + past participle. 'Is painting' becomes 'is being painted'.
Example: She is reading a book. → A book is being read by her.
Solved Q.5
"The students were writing essays." (Change to Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: Essays were being written by the students.
Explanation: Past continuous active → passive: was/were + being + past participle.
Example: He was cooking dinner. → Dinner was being cooked by him.
Explanation: Past continuous active → passive: was/were + being + past participle.
Example: He was cooking dinner. → Dinner was being cooked by him.
Solved Q.6
"The company will launch a new product." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: A new product will be launched by the company.
Example: She will finish the work. → The work will be finished by her.
Example: She will finish the work. → The work will be finished by her.
Solved Q.7
"They had finished the work before sunset." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The work had been finished before sunset (by them).
Example: She had packed the bags. → The bags had been packed.
Example: She had packed the bags. → The bags had been packed.
Solved Q.8
"People speak English all over the world." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: English is spoken all over the world.
Explanation: When the agent is vague ('people'), it is often omitted in passive.
Example: They grow rice in India. → Rice is grown in India.
Explanation: When the agent is vague ('people'), it is often omitted in passive.
Example: They grow rice in India. → Rice is grown in India.
Solved Q.9
"The police caught the thief." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The thief was caught by the police.
Example: The dog bit the boy. → The boy was bitten by the dog.
Example: The dog bit the boy. → The boy was bitten by the dog.
Solved Q.10
"He gave me a gift." (Passive – two ways)
Show Answer
Answer: I was given a gift by him. / A gift was given to me by him.
Example: She offered me a job. → I was offered a job. / A job was offered to me.
Example: She offered me a job. → I was offered a job. / A job was offered to me.
Solved Q.11
"Someone has stolen my pen." (Passive – omit agent)
Show Answer
Answer: My pen has been stolen.
Example: Someone broke the vase. → The vase was broken.
Example: Someone broke the vase. → The vase was broken.
Solved Q.12
"The gardener waters the plants." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The plants are watered by the gardener.
Example: She cooks delicious meals. → Delicious meals are cooked by her.
Example: She cooks delicious meals. → Delicious meals are cooked by her.
Solved Q.13
"The children will have eaten the cake." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The cake will have been eaten by the children.
Example: They will have finished the report. → The report will have been finished.
Example: They will have finished the report. → The report will have been finished.
Solved Q.14
"They are going to announce the results." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The results are going to be announced (by them).
Example: She is going to write a book. → A book is going to be written.
Example: She is going to write a book. → A book is going to be written.
Solved Q.15
"We must obey the rules." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The rules must be obeyed.
Example: You should finish the work. → The work should be finished.
Example: You should finish the work. → The work should be finished.
Solved Q.16
"She cleaned the room." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The room was cleaned by her.
Example: He fixed the chair. → The chair was fixed by him.
Example: He fixed the chair. → The chair was fixed by him.
Solved Q.17
"The teacher is explaining the lesson." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The lesson is being explained by the teacher.
Example: She is singing a song. → A song is being sung by her.
Example: She is singing a song. → A song is being sung by her.
Solved Q.18
"The committee will have taken a decision by tomorrow." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: A decision will have been taken by the committee by tomorrow.
Example: The team will have scored a goal. → A goal will have been scored.
Example: The team will have scored a goal. → A goal will have been scored.
Solved Q.19
"They have been searching for the lost child." (Passive – possible?)
Show Answer
Answer: The lost child has been being searched for (awkward; usually avoided).
Example: Active preferred: They have been searching.
Example: Active preferred: They have been searching.
Solved Q.20
"The class elected him monitor." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: He was elected monitor by the class.
Example: They crowned her queen. → She was crowned queen.
Example: They crowned her queen. → She was crowned queen.
Passive voice helps shift focus from the doer to the action or receiver. For a deeper dive into speech and reporting, explore the
Direct & Indirect Speech
concept page. And if you're ready for advanced usage, the
Reported Speech Advanced
lesson covers mixed sentences and universal truths.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Now change these active sentences to passive voice. Try first, then check.
Practice Q.1
"The boy kicked the ball."
Show Answer
Answer: The ball was kicked by the boy.
Example: The dog chased the cat. → The cat was chased by the dog.
Example: The dog chased the cat. → The cat was chased by the dog.
Practice Q.2
"She writes emails every day."
Show Answer
Answer: Emails are written by her every day.
Example: He composes songs. → Songs are composed by him.
Example: He composes songs. → Songs are composed by him.
Practice Q.3
"They are building a new bridge."
Show Answer
Answer: A new bridge is being built (by them).
Example: The workers are repairing the road. → The road is being repaired.
Example: The workers are repairing the road. → The road is being repaired.
Practice Q.4
"He has submitted the report."
Show Answer
Answer: The report has been submitted by him.
Example: She has cooked the meal. → The meal has been cooked.
Example: She has cooked the meal. → The meal has been cooked.
Practice Q.5
"My mother bakes delicious cookies."
Show Answer
Answer: Delicious cookies are baked by my mother.
Example: The baker makes fresh bread. → Fresh bread is made by the baker.
Example: The baker makes fresh bread. → Fresh bread is made by the baker.
Practice Q.6
"The storm destroyed the village."
Show Answer
Answer: The village was destroyed by the storm.
Example: The fire burned the hut. → The hut was burned by the fire.
Example: The fire burned the hut. → The hut was burned by the fire.
Practice Q.7
"Someone left the door open."
Show Answer
Answer: The door was left open.
Example: Someone spilt the milk. → The milk was spilt.
Example: Someone spilt the milk. → The milk was spilt.
Practice Q.8
"They will hold the meeting tomorrow."
Show Answer
Answer: The meeting will be held tomorrow.
Example: The school will announce the results. → The results will be announced.
Example: The school will announce the results. → The results will be announced.
Practice Q.9
"The teacher praised the student."
Show Answer
Answer: The student was praised by the teacher.
Example: The coach appreciated the player. → The player was appreciated.
Example: The coach appreciated the player. → The player was appreciated.
Practice Q.10
"The children were making a noise."
Show Answer
Answer: A noise was being made by the children.
Example: The baby was crying loudly. → A cry was being heard.
Example: The baby was crying loudly. → A cry was being heard.
Practice Q.11
"We must protect the environment."
Show Answer
Answer: The environment must be protected.
Example: You should follow the rules. → The rules should be followed.
Example: You should follow the rules. → The rules should be followed.
Practice Q.12
"He can solve this puzzle."
Show Answer
Answer: This puzzle can be solved by him.
Example: She can lift the box. → The box can be lifted by her.
Example: She can lift the box. → The box can be lifted by her.
Practice Q.13
"She bought a new car."
Show Answer
Answer: A new car was bought by her.
Example: He wrote a poem. → A poem was written by him.
Example: He wrote a poem. → A poem was written by him.
Practice Q.14
"They have finished the project."
Show Answer
Answer: The project has been finished (by them).
Example: The team has won the match. → The match has been won.
Example: The team has won the match. → The match has been won.
Practice Q.15
"The doctor examined the patient."
Show Answer
Answer: The patient was examined by the doctor.
Example: The nurse checked the temperature. → The temperature was checked.
Example: The nurse checked the temperature. → The temperature was checked.
Practice Q.16
"They will publish the results tomorrow."
Show Answer
Answer: The results will be published tomorrow.
Example: The company will launch the product. → The product will be launched.
Example: The company will launch the product. → The product will be launched.
Practice Q.17
"The audience cheered the performers."
Show Answer
Answer: The performers were cheered by the audience.
Example: The crowd supported the team. → The team was supported.
Example: The crowd supported the team. → The team was supported.
Practice Q.18
"The gardener is trimming the hedges."
Show Answer
Answer: The hedges are being trimmed by the gardener.
Example: The barber is cutting his hair. → His hair is being cut.
Example: The barber is cutting his hair. → His hair is being cut.
Practice Q.19
"They have not done the work."
Show Answer
Answer: The work has not been done (by them).
Example: She has not written the letter. → The letter has not been written.
Example: She has not written the letter. → The letter has not been written.
Practice Q.20
"They awarded her the prize."
Show Answer
Answer: She was awarded the prize. / The prize was awarded to her.
Example: The company offered him a job. → He was offered a job.
Example: The company offered him a job. → He was offered a job.
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๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
These involve sentences with modals, two objects, passive of infinitives, and verbs followed by prepositions.
Challenge Q.1
"They made him captain." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: He was made captain (by them).
Example: The team elected her leader. → She was elected leader.
Example: The team elected her leader. → She was elected leader.
Challenge Q.2
"She laughed at the beggar." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The beggar was laughed at by her.
Explanation: When the verb is followed by a preposition, keep the preposition immediately after the verb in passive.
Example: They looked into the matter. → The matter was looked into.
Explanation: When the verb is followed by a preposition, keep the preposition immediately after the verb in passive.
Example: They looked into the matter. → The matter was looked into.
Challenge Q.3
"People say that she is a genius." (Passive – two ways)
Show Answer
Answer: It is said that she is a genius. / She is said to be a genius.
Example: People believe he is honest. → He is believed to be honest.
Example: People believe he is honest. → He is believed to be honest.
Challenge Q.4
"We hope to win the match." (Passive of infinitive)
Show Answer
Answer: It is hoped that we will win the match. / The match is hoped to be won (rare).
Example: They expect her to win. → She is expected to win.
Example: They expect her to win. → She is expected to win.
Challenge Q.5
"We must look after our parents." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: Our parents must be looked after.
Example: We should care for the elderly. → The elderly should be cared for.
Example: We should care for the elderly. → The elderly should be cared for.
Challenge Q.6
"Let him finish the work." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: Let the work be finished by him.
Example: Let her sing a song. → Let a song be sung by her.
Example: Let her sing a song. → Let a song be sung by her.
Challenge Q.7
"The nurse is looking after the patient." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: The patient is being looked after by the nurse.
Example: She is waiting for her friend. → Her friend is being waited for.
Example: She is waiting for her friend. → Her friend is being waited for.
Challenge Q.8
"She taught me a new lesson." (Passive – two ways)
Show Answer
Answer: I was taught a new lesson by her. / A new lesson was taught to me by her.
Example: He told us a story. → We were told a story.
Example: He told us a story. → We were told a story.
Challenge Q.9
"They believe that the earth is round." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: It is believed that the earth is round. / The earth is believed to be round.
Example: People know she is talented. → She is known to be talented.
Example: People know she is talented. → She is known to be talented.
Challenge Q.10
"The government is to provide free education." (Passive)
Show Answer
Answer: Free education is to be provided by the government.
Example: The school is to organise a trip. → A trip is to be organised.
Example: The school is to organise a trip. → A trip is to be organised.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ 1
When do we use passive voice?
Show Answer
Answer: When the doer is unknown (The window was broken), unimportant, or obvious (The thief was arrested). Also when we want to emphasise the action or receiver rather than the doer, or in scientific/formal writing.
FAQ 2
What is the basic rule for changing active to passive?
Show Answer
Answer: 1. Move the object to the subject position. 2. Use the correct form of 'be' according to the tense of the active verb. 3. Use the past participle of the main verb. 4. Add 'by' + the original subject (if needed).
FAQ 3
Can intransitive verbs be made passive?
Show Answer
Answer: No. Only transitive verbs (verbs that take an object) can be changed into passive voice. Intransitive verbs like 'sleep', 'go', 'arrive' have no object, so they cannot be made passive.
FAQ 4
How are sentences with two objects changed to passive?
Show Answer
Answer: Either object can become the subject. Example: "He gave me a book" → "I was given a book" or "A book was given to me." The indirect object as subject is more common.
FAQ 5
Do we always include 'by + agent' in passive sentences?
Show Answer
Answer: No. When the agent is unknown, obvious, or unimportant, we often omit it. Example: "My purse was stolen." (The thief is unknown, so 'by someone' is unnecessary.)
