ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICES, TRANSFORMATION AND THEIR USAGES
ENGWIN.NET • Exam-focused English Grammar Courseware
Master voice transformation step by step — with Tamil support, Indian names, tense-wise patterns, questions, commands, modals and Samacheer-style practice.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify Active Voice and Passive Voice.
- Find the subject, verb and object before transforming a sentence.
- Change active sentences into passive and passive sentences into active without changing the meaning or tense.
- Use the correct be + V3 structure.
- Transform statements, questions, commands, requests, modals and sentences with two objects.
- Recognise when a sentence cannot normally be changed into passive voice.
- Apply the skill to Tamil Nadu Class 12 Samacheer-style examination questions.
Course Roadmap
Voice, S-V-O structure and the basic transformation method.
Tense-wise passive forms and pronoun changes.
Questions, commands, requests, modals and two-object verbs.
Samacheer-style practice, errors, MCQs and mastery.
Lesson 1 — What is Voice?
Voice tells us whether the subject performs an action or receives it.
Ravi = doer; window = receiver.
The window = receiver, now placed first.
Lesson 2 — Find S, V and O
Before transforming, mark the three important parts:
| Sentence | Subject | Verb | Object |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priya wrote a letter. | Priya | wrote | a letter |
| Arun repaired the bicycle. | Arun | repaired | the bicycle |
| Meena completed the project. | Meena | completed | the project |
Lesson 3 — The Three-Step Transformation Method
- Move the object of the active sentence to the subject position.
- Keep the same tense, but use the correct form of be + V3.
- Put the old subject after by when the doer is important or needed.
→ The wall was painted by Karthik.
Lesson 4 — Tense-wise Voice Transformation
| Active Tense | Active Pattern | Passive Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | V1 / V1+s | am/is/are + V3 | Priya writes a letter. → A letter is written by Priya. |
| Simple Past | V2 | was/were + V3 | Arun opened the gate. → The gate was opened by Arun. |
| Simple Future | will + V1 | will be + V3 | Meena will finish the work. → The work will be finished by Meena. |
| Present Continuous | am/is/are + V-ing | am/is/are being + V3 | Ravi is painting the wall. → The wall is being painted by Ravi. |
| Past Continuous | was/were + V-ing | was/were being + V3 | Priya was reading the book. → The book was being read by Priya. |
| Present Perfect | has/have + V3 | has/have been + V3 | Arun has completed the task. → The task has been completed by Arun. |
| Past Perfect | had + V3 | had been + V3 | Meena had cleaned the room. → The room had been cleaned by Meena. |
| Future Perfect | will have + V3 | will have been + V3 | Karthik will have completed the work. → The work will have been completed by Karthik. |
Lesson 5 — Pronoun Changes
| Active Subject | After “by” | Active Object | Passive Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | me | me | I |
| we | us | us | we |
| he | him | him | he |
| she | her | her | she |
| they | them | them | they |
| you | you | you | you |
Lesson 6 — When “by” is Not Necessary
The original subject may be omitted when the doer is unknown, obvious or unimportant.
→ My bicycle was stolen.
→ English is spoken here.
→ A new bridge was built.
→ The thief was arrested by the police.
Lesson 7 — Questions and Interrogatives
Yes/No Questions
Passive: Was the project completed by Ravi?
Wh-Questions
Passive: By whom was the poem written?
Passive: Why was the door opened by Priya?
Lesson 8 — Commands, Requests and Instructions
| Active | Passive |
|---|---|
| Open the door. | Let the door be opened. |
| Do not touch the wire. | Let the wire not be touched. |
| Please help Ravi. | Let Ravi be helped. |
| Kindly complete the assignment. | You are requested to complete the assignment. |
Lesson 9 — Modals and Two-Object Sentences
Modals
Passive: The problem can be solved by Ravi.
Passive: The rules should be obeyed by Priya.
Passive: The work must be finished by Arun.
Two Objects
Passive: A set of pens was given to Mani by Gayathri.
A person-object can sometimes also become the passive subject: Mani was given a set of pens by Gayathri.
Lesson 10 — Which Verbs Cannot Normally Become Passive?
Only verbs that take a direct object can normally be changed into passive voice.
| Active | Can it become passive? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Ravi opened the door. | Yes | “the door” is an object. |
| Meena bought a book. | Yes | “a book” is an object. |
| Arun slept. | Normally no | No direct object. |
| Priya arrived early. | Normally no | No direct object. |
Lesson 11 — Samacheer Kalvi Previous-Paper Focus
Active and Passive Voice is explicitly included in Tamil Nadu Class 12 English grammar materials. Samacheer-oriented Unit 3 exercises include transformations such as statements, questions, commands and sentences with more than one object. The official-style guide material also places Active & Passive Voice among the grammar exercises. citeturn0search4turn0search26turn0search28
Verified Samacheer Textbook-Type Examples
Governor inaugurated the exhibition. → The exhibition was inaugurated by the Governor.
Who taught her Computer Science? → By whom was she taught Computer Science?
They named Ravi the captain of the team. → Ravi was named the captain of the team by them.
Do not tell a lie. → Let a lie not be told.
Please open the door. → Let the door be opened.
These examples reflect the Samacheer Unit 3 grammar exercise pattern reported in the sources. Practice below is newly written/adapted rather than presented as verbatim previous-paper reproduction.
Samacheer-Style Transformation Drill
- Ravi completed the assignment.
- Priya has written the letter.
- Arun will organise the programme.
- Meena is decorating the classroom.
- Karthik had repaired the bicycle.
- Who invited Ananya to the function?
- Why did Ravi close the gate?
- Open the window.
- Do not waste water.
- Priya gave Arun a notebook.
Show Answers
1. The assignment was completed by Ravi.
2. The letter has been written by Priya.
3. The programme will be organised by Arun.
4. The classroom is being decorated by Meena.
5. The bicycle had been repaired by Karthik.
6. By whom was Ananya invited to the function?
7. Why was the gate closed by Ravi?
8. Let the window be opened.
9. Let water not be wasted.
10. A notebook was given to Arun by Priya.
Lesson 12 — Common Errors, MCQs and Mastery
Correct: The letter was written by Priya. ✅
Correct: The work was completed by Ravi yesterday. ✅
Correct: The book has been written by Meena. ✅
Correct: The door was opened by him. ✅
20-MCQ Exam Drill
A) A letter wrote Ravi. B) A letter is written by Ravi. C) A letter was written by Ravi. D) A letter has written Ravi.
Answer
BA) The door is opened by Priya. B) The door was opened by Priya. C) The door has opened Priya. D) The door opened by Priya.
Answer
BA) The task will be completed by Arun. B) The task is completed by Arun. C) The task was completed by Arun. D) The task will completed by Arun.
Answer
AA) The wall is painted. B) The wall is being painted by Meena. C) The wall was being painted. D) The wall has been painted.
Answer
BA) The work has been finished by Karthik. B) The work was finished by Karthik. C) The work is finishing. D) The work has finished Karthik.
Answer
AA) The police arrest the thief. B) The police arrested the thief. C) The police have arrested the thief. D) The police were arresting the thief.
Answer
BA) By whom was the poem written? B) Who was the poem written? C) By who wrote the poem? D) The poem was wrote by whom?
Answer
AA) The door is open. B) Let the door be opened. C) Let the door opened. D) The door was opened.
Answer
BA) Let water not be wasted. B) Water is not waste. C) Let water not wasted. D) Water was not wasted.
Answer
AA) V1 only B) V2 only C) V3 / past participle D) V-ing only
Answer
CA) The problem can solved by Ravi. B) The problem can be solved by Ravi. C) The problem is can solved. D) Ravi can be solved.
Answer
BA) A bridge is built by them. B) A bridge was built by them. C) A bridge has built them. D) A bridge built by them.
Answer
BA) Priya bought a book. B) Ravi opened the gate. C) Arun slept. D) Meena cleaned the room.
Answer
CA) I was helped by her. B) Me was helped by she. C) I helped by her. D) Me helped her.
Answer
AA) Ravi completed the work. B) Ravi has completed the work. C) Ravi had completed the work. D) Ravi will complete the work.
Answer
CA) The book is being read by Priya. B) The book was read by Priya. C) The book has read Priya. D) The book is read Priya.
Answer
AA) Who interviewed you? B) Who did interviewed you? C) Whom was interviewing you? D) Who were interviewed you?
Answer
AA) Ananya B) made C) cake D) by
Answer
CA) The letter was wrote by Ravi. B) The letter was written by Ravi. C) The letter was writing by Ravi. D) The letter written Ravi.
Answer
BA) English is spoken here. B) English was speak here. C) English speaks people. D) English has spoken people.
Answer
ARevision Chart
| Skill | Remember | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Basic transformation | Object → new subject | Ravi opened the door → The door was opened… |
| Verb | be + V3 | is written / was written / has been written |
| Question | Keep question form | Who wrote it? → By whom was it written? |
| Imperative | Let + object + be + V3 | Open the door → Let the door be opened. |
| Modal | modal + be + V3 | can solve → can be solved |
| Agent | Use by + doer when useful | by Ravi / by Priya |
Final Mastery Check
- Change: “Ravi cleaned the classroom.”
- Change: “Priya has completed the project.”
- Change: “Arun will organise the meeting.”
- Change: “Meena is preparing the food.”
- Change: “Who taught Karthik English?”
- Change: “Do not open the box.”
- Change: “Ravi can solve the problem.”
- State why “Arun slept” cannot normally be changed into passive voice.
Mastery Answers
1. The classroom was cleaned by Ravi.
2. The project has been completed by Priya.
3. The meeting will be organised by Arun.
4. The food is being prepared by Meena.
5. By whom was Karthik taught English?
6. Let the box not be opened.
7. The problem can be solved by Ravi.
8. “Slept” has no direct object, so it cannot normally form a passive construction.
Self-Rating
17–20: Excellent 13–16: Very Good 9–12: Practise More 0–8: Relearn the 3-step methodClassroom Activities
- Voice Detective: Underline the doer once and the receiver twice.
- Transformation Relay: Teams transform one active sentence at a time.
- Tense Hunt: Identify the tense before changing the voice.
- Question Flip: Convert “Who…?” questions into “By whom…?” questions.
- Pronoun Match: Practise I→me, he→him, she→her, we→us, they→them.
Exam Alignment & Source Note
Samacheer Kalvi Class 12 English Unit 3 contains Active and Passive Voice exercises, including transformation of statements, questions, commands and sentences with multiple objects. Tamil Nadu-oriented study material also places Active & Passive Voice among the grammar exercises and emphasises retaining the tense while changing the verb to the past participle with the appropriate auxiliary. citeturn0search4turn0search26turn0search28turn0search29
The course uses verified Samacheer grammar patterns and selected textbook-type examples for alignment. The additional drills and MCQs are original/adapted practice; they are not claimed to be verbatim reproductions of every previous-year public examination question.