Passive Voice is used to focus the Subject that experiences the action instead of the one who does. Passive Voice is not as popular as Active Voice as it is considered comparatively lengthy and formal. Also, it is used when we are not sure of the doer of the verb.
Structure of Passive Voice
Subject+ Auxiliary verb (be) + Main Verb (Participle form) + by + Agent (the one who does the action)
For example: Red trunks + was + liked + by + me.
Examples of Passive Voice
- The lunch was prepared by my wife.
The lunch- Subject
Was- Auxiliary Verb
Prepared- Main Verb (Participle form)
My wife- Agent - His son was kidnapped in Syria by kidnappers.
His son- Subject
Was- Auxiliary Verb
Kidnapped- Main Verb
Kidnappers – Agent - I am loved by her mother too.
I – Subject
Am- Auxiliary Verb
Loved- Main Verb
Mother- Agent - We have been fooled by him.
We- Subject
Have been- Auxiliary Verb
Fooled- Main Verb
Him- Agent - She will be rewarded by the alumni.
She- Subject
Will be- Auxiliary Verb
Rewarded- Main Verb
Alumni- Agent
Conversion of Active to Passive Voice
In grammar texts we are often asked to change sentences from Passive to Active and vice versa. The sentences given below are changed into Passive Voice.
| Active Voice | Passive Voice | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Fools surround me. | I am surrounded by fools. |
| 2. | Teachers teach us in an interesting manner. | We are taught in an interesting manner. |
| 3. | Her opponent framed her in corruption charges. | She was framed by her opponent in corruption charges. |
| 4. | Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield. | David Copperfield was written by Charles Dickens. |
| 5. | We praise our employees often. | Our employees are often praised by us. |
| 6. | She organized a dance party. | A dance party was organized by her. |
| 7. | The president honored us. | We were honored by the president. |
| 8. | She cleaned her house. | The house is cleaned by her. |
| 9. | The tiger killed the deer. | The deer was killed by the tiger. |
| 10. | We invited the famous actor. | The famous actor was invited by us. |