ACTIVE & PASSIVE--CHANGE THE VOICE
EXERCISES FOR PRACTICE
While writing we use different forms of sentences( i.e Active and Passive forms). Words are used in a sentence according to the emphasis to accorded to them. Words to be emphasised are written in first place and words of less importance are placed in secondary position in the sentence.
For example
Someone has picked my pocket in the crowd.
The point to be emphasized in this sentence is 'my pocket has been picked' and not by whom. Here we can drop the subject and write this sentence in passive voice as follows.
My pocket has been picked in the crowd.
The point to be emphasized in this sentence is 'my pocket has been picked' and not by whom. Here we can drop the subject and write this sentence in passive voice as follows.
My pocket has been picked in the crowd.
The two forms of sentences i.e. Active and Passive forms are changed from one to other. The process of changing from Active to Passive form of a sentence is called 'Change of the Voice'.
In a sentence, there are Subject, Verb and Object. But some sentences are without an object. For a change of voice an object in a sentence is necessary..
In examination there are questions in the form of change of sentences from one form of voice to another i.e. from Active to Passive form or vice versa. There are also questions to rectify errors due to wrong change of form of sentences.
TEST EXERCISE
Change the voice of the following sentences.
1. We find her finding faults with others.
2. She noticed her reading her book.
3. People consider him a fool.
4. His fans like him singing this song.
5. Police caught him stealing the box.
6. Why was the chief guest not welcomed by garlanding?
7. He caught him by his neck.
8. The remaining distance was covered by train.
EXERCISE NO. 8
(Assorted Sentences)
Change the voice of the following sentences.
1. Sticking of bills on this wall is prohibited.
2. The milk-maid will have milked cows by five o' clock.
3. The patient had taken medicine before the doctor arrived.
4. Children were spoiling their clothes.
5. One must do one's duty.
6. Why were harsh words being used by him?
7. The employees had been punished for being late daily.
8. Please fetch me a glass of water.
9. The teacher will not allow you to attend the class unless you apologize.
10. Who has been knocking at the door for the last half an hour?
EXERCISE NO. 8 (ANSWERS)
1. They prohibit sticking of bills on this wall.
(In this sentence there is no subject. So the subject will have to be supposed as 'they' or 'the authorities' as deemed fit. Here it is 'they'.)
2. Cows will have been milked by five o'clock by the milkmaid.
3. Medicine had been taken by the patient before the doctor arrived.
4. Their clothes were being spoiled be children.
5. Duty must be done.
( In this sentence subject is omitted in Passive voice because it is 'Duty' that is to be emphasized more than the subject.')
6. Why was he using harsh words?
7. The boss had punished the employees for being late daily.
8. You are requested to fetch me a glass of water.
9. You will not be allowed to attend the class by the teacher unless you apologize.
10. By whom has the door been being knocked at for the last half an hour?
( In sentences with a phrasal verb, the phrasal verb in complete and combined form (i.e. knock at ) is to be used in Passive form.)
EXERCISE NO. 9
(Assorted Sentences)
Change the voice of the following sentences.
1. I lost the pen you gave me.
2. Invitation cards have been sent to all the people.
3. They lodged a strong protest with the chairman of the committee.
4. The doctor could not diagnose his disease.
5. The shopkeeper had refused him further credit.
6. One can hear the ticking of a clock in the still of the night.
7. Let us make another attempt to contact him.
8. His father got his luggage booked by train.
9. Sugar tastes sweet.
10. People say that he is a miser.
EXERCISE NO. 9 (ANSWERS)
1. The pen you gave me was lost by me. OR
The pen given to me by you was lost.
2. They have sent invitation cards to all the people.
3. A strong protest was lodged with the chairman of the committee by them.
4. His disease could not be diagnosed by the doctor.
5. He had been refused further credit by the shopkeeper.
6. The ticking of a clock can be heard in the still of the night.
7. It is suggested that we should make another attempt to contact him.
8. His luggage was got booked by train by his father.
9. Sugar is sweet when it is tasted.
10. It is said that he is miser.
EXERCISE NO. 10
(Assorted Sentences)
Change the voice of the following sentences.
1. Lights had already been switched off.
2. How did the stranger locate his house?
3. This incident would aggravate his position.
4. This kettle contains hot tea.
5. The visitor paid a number of visits to his house.
6. They must have caught the train by now.
7. Who can finish this work in such a short span?
8. The principal admired him for his good performance.
9. One must respect one's elders.
10. Persons living in glass houses should not throw stones at others.
EXERCISE NO. 10 (ANSWERS)
1. Someone had already switched off lights.
2. How was his house located by the stranger?
3. His position would be aggravated by this incident.
4. Hot tea is contained in this kettle.
5. A number of visits were paid to his house by the visitor.
6. The train must have been caught by now by them.
7. By whom can this work be finished in such a short span ?
8. He was admired for his good performance by the principal.
9. Elders must be respected.
10. Stones should not be thrown at others by persons living in glass houses.
EXERCISE NO. 11
(Some Typical Sentences)
Change the voice of the following sentences.
1. One must do one's duty.
Duty must be done.
2. They say that his brother is a rogue.
It is said that his brother is a rogue.
3. Sugar tastes sweet.
Sugar is sweet when tasted.
4. People say that diligence always pays.
It is said that diligence always pays.
5. Authorities turned down their request.
Their request was turned down.
( In this sentence request is of more importance than the subject authorities. So subject is omitted in Passive voice.)
6. The guard kept a strict vigil on them.
They were kept under a strict vigil.
7. Show the guests in.
The guests be showed in.
8. We should respect our elders.
Elders should be respected.
9. May I take your pen?
Am I allowed to take your pen?
10. It is time to revise the lesson.
It is time for the lesson to be revised.
EXERCISE NO. 12
(Some Typical Sentences)
Change the voice of the following sentences.
1. Her conduct surprised me.
I was surprised at his conduct.
2. His behaviour astonishes all of us.
All of us are astonished at his behaviour.
3. They say that she is a pious lady.
It is said that she is a pious lady.
4. This book contains beautiful stories.
Beautiful stories are contained in this book.
5. This forest infests many wild animals.
This forest is infested with many wild animals.
6. She displeased her boss.
Her boss was displeased with her.
7. I know all of his friends.
All of his friends are known to me.
8. His behaviour displeased me.
I was displeased with his behaviour.
9. They say that the governor is on tour.
It is said that the governor is on tour.
10. They went to see the launching of the ship.
They went to the launching of the ship to be seen.
(Sentence with 'People say or They say ' are changed into 'It is said')
EXERCISE NO. 13
(Some Typical Sentences)
Change the voice of the following sentences.
1. Boys jeered at the poor man.
The poor man was jeered at by the boys.
2. Flowers were decorated on both the sides of the road.
Both the sides of the road were decorated with flowers.
3. Our forces expect to conquer the enemy soon.
It is expected by our forces that they would conquer the enemy soon.
4. The spectators thronged the streets.
The streets were thronged with the spectators.
5. May the child live long!
It is prayed that the child may live long.
6. One must keep one's promise.
Promise must be kept.
7. Boys elected him captain
He was elected captain by boys.
8. His remarks offended the boss.
The boss was offended with his remarks.
9. His behaviour in the meeting annoyed all.
All were annoyed at his behaviour in the meeting.
10. May I take your leave now?
Am I allowed to take your leave now?
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