Transformation into Passive voice

Here are some of the important points to keep in mind while transforming active into passive voice or vice-versa:

S - Subject
O – Object
P – Preposition
T – Tense
V - Verb
$M_3$ - Meaning, Mood, Mode
P – Placement

We studied in the last article that when a verb is changed from active voice to passive voice, the object of the transitive verb in the active voice becomes the subject of the verb in the passive voice.

Active Voice Pattern: Subject + Verb + Object

India helps Bhutan. (Indian – subject; helps – verb; Bhutan - object)

transformation to passive voice

Passive Voice Pattern: Subject (passive) + Helping verb ‘be’ (according to Tense) + $V_3$ + by + Object

Bhutan is helped by India. (Bhutan – passive subject; is – helping verb; helped – $V_3$; India – object of preposition ‘by’)

transformation to passive voice

But what about the Verb? How does the verb form and tense form change?

Let’s see.

Change in Verb form

To form the passive voice, we use a suitable tense of the verb ‘be’ followed by the past participle (be + $V_3$). transformation to passive voice

The passive voice for the following tenses is extremely rare:

  • Present Perfect Continuous: has/have been (Active Voice) → has/have been being (Passive Voice)
  • Past Perfect Continuous: had been (Active Voice) → had been being (Passive Voice)
  • Future Continuous: will be (Active Voice) → will be being (Passive Voice)
  • Future Perfect Continuous: will have been (Active Voice) → will have been being (Passive Voice)

You may have noticed that while converting active voice to passive voice, apart from using be + $V_3$:

  • we also add ‘being’ in case of continuous aspect, $V_4$ (i.e. in present continuous and past continuous tenses). That is, for sentences having V+ing verb form in the active voice, we must have ‘being’ in the passive voice.
  • we also add ‘been’ in cases of perfect aspect, has/have/had + $V_3$ (i.e. in present perfect, past perfect and future perfect tenses). That is, for sentences having has/have/had in the active voice, we must have ‘been’ in the passive voice (such sentences use $V_3$ in both active and passive voice).

The same is true when we convert Modal + $V_1$ into passive.

In case of modals, we use the following patterns:
Pattern 1: modal + $V_1$ → modal + be + $V_3$
Pattern 2: modal + have + $V_3$ → modal + have + been + $V_3$ transformation to passive voice

We use Pattern 1: modal + $V_1$ → modal + be + $V_3$, in case of following modals:
can, could, shall, should, would, must, may, might.
Also, has to, have to, had to, used to, may have to, might have to, will have to, would like to.

We use Pattern 2: modal + have + $V_3$ → modal + have + been + $V_3$, in case of following modals:
could have, should have, would have, must have, may have, might have.

two- and three-word verbs

Some verbs in active voice are also followed by adverbs and prepositions, e.g. phrasal verbs.

We must not forget to use these adverbs and prepositions in passive voice.

transformation to passive voice




Change Tense Form

Now, let’s study the transformation of some verb forms in more detail - when the tenses (or aspects of tenses) involved are:

  • Continuous
  • Perfect

Active-Passive patterns with Continuous Tenses

The following table showcases the Active Voice and Passive Voice patterns, when it comes to Continuous Tenses (Verb + ing). transformation to passive voice

We always use ‘being’ in passive voice of continuous tenses.

Examples:

transformation to passive voice

Active-Passive patterns with Perfect Tenses

The following table showcases the Active Voice and Passive Voice patterns, when it comes to Perfect Tenses. transformation to passive voice

We always use ‘been’ in passive voice of perfect tenses.

Examples:

transformation to passive voice




Subject – Object Change

When a verb is changed from active voice to passive voice, the object of the transitive verb in the active voice becomes the subject of the verb in the passive voice.

We cannot make passive voice of sentences having no object (e.g. in case of intransitive verbs). Thus, only transitive verbs can be used in the passive voice.

transformation to passive voice
Keep in mind most of the verbs can function both as transitive and intransitive. You will have to look at a particular sentence to find out how they are working.

Multiple objects

Verbs that can be followed by either indirect object + direct object or direct object + prepositional object in active clauses can have two corresponding passive forms. When they are changed to the passive, either object may become the subject of the passive verb, while the other is retained.

transformation to passive voice

An indirect object usually denotes the person to whom or for whom something is given or done, while a direct object usually denotes a thing. The passive form we choose depends on which one is more appropriate in a particular context. But it is more usual for passive constructions to begin with the person, i.e. indirect object.

Let’s see some more examples:

transformation to passive voice

Some verbs can’t be followed by two objects. They are always followed by a single object in the active voice. So, such verbs can have only one passive form.

transformation to passive voice

Other verbs like this are: give, lend, offer, promise, sell, teach, tell, throw.

Subject vague/understood

Sometimes, the subject is vague or understood from the rest of the sentence. In such cases, it is possible to drop by + object in passive voice, as the meaning is clear even without it.

Concept 1

Certain actions are done by a particular subject only, e.g. Doctor, Police etc. In such cases ‘by object’ must not be mentioned in the passive voice.

transformation to passive voice

Concept 2

Sometimes, the subject is not clear (vague noun / indefinite pronoun), e.g. people, they, one, everyone etc. In such cases ‘by object’ need not be mentioned in the passive voice.

transformation to passive voice




Active-Passive patterns with Verb + to-infinitive

In such sentences there are essentially two verbs – the main verb and the verb in the infinitive (to + $V_1$).

The infinitive can have two positions:

  • Verb + to-infinitive + Object
  • Verb + Object + to-infinitive

Let us consider them both one by one.

Case 1: Verb + to-infinitive + Object

Consider the following patterns and examples: transformation to passive voice

It’s evident from above, that this is how the infinitive verb changes its form:
Active: To + $V_1$ (to respect)
Passive: To + be + $V_3$ (to be respected)

But the main verb may or may not change its form.

Verbs that follow this pattern are of two kinds:

  • Those verbs which have corresponding meanings in active and passive sentences.
    For example: appear, begin, come, continue, do, has/have/had, seem, start, tend, write.

  • Those verbs which do not have corresponding meanings in active and passive sentences.
    For example: agree, aim, attempt, hope, refuse, struggle, try

Compare:

People came to recognise him as a brave soldier. (active voice)
He came to be recognised as a brave soldier. (passive voice; active and passive voice sentences give out the same meaning)

Saurav Ganguly hoped to select Jadeja. (active voice)
Jadeja hoped to be selected by Saurav Ganguly. (passive voice; active and passive voice sentences have different meanings.)

Case 2: Verb + Object + to-infinitive

Consider the following patterns and examples: transformation to passive voice

It’s evident, that the infinitive verb may or may not change its form:
Active: To + $V_1$
Passive: To + $V_1$ OR To + be + $V_3$

But the main verb does change its form.

The Verbs that follow this pattern are:
advise, allow, ask, believe, consider, expect, feel, instruct, mean, order, report, require, teach, tell, understand.

Some verbs followed by an ‘object + to-infinitive’ in the active have no passive:
Active voice: Mayank liked Aanya to be there.
Passive voice: Aanya was liked to be there by Mayank. (not possible)

Verbs that fall in this category are: (can’t) bear, hate, like, love, need, prefer, want, wish.

Sectional Quiz

Active-Passive Quiz

General Instructions:

① There's a negative marking of 25% for each question. However, no marks will be deducted for unattempted questions.

② To give this quiz under exam conditions, you may choose to start the Timer. Though you may give this quiz without time-restrictions too.

③ To give the test again, just refresh the page.
Transform the following sentences into Passive form.
Q1. Mayank was writing a letter.
Q2. The government has launched a massive women welfare programme in Goa.
Q3. I did not do it, trust me.
Q4. They may punish you for this act.
Q5. You should have played the match today.

Your percentage is: __%

Correct: __; Incorrect: __; Unattempted: __

Extra Books and Tools


1. Wren & Martin - This book has been around for long and is still considered one of the best.

Links for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries:

High School English Grammar and Composition Paperback

Key to Wren and Martin

Link for Indian readers: Wren and Martin


2. More advanced learners may refer to the following books. However, buy them only if you must.

A. Essential English Grammar by Raymond Murphy

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: Essential Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Essential English Grammar

B. Intermediate English Grammar by Raymond Murphy

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: English Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Intermediate English Grammar

C. Advanced English Grammar by Martin Hewings

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: Advanced Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Advanced English Grammar


So much so for Englsh Grammar. But what about Comprehension skills and Vocabulary?

For this, I prefer to read on gadgets like Kindle. We may just tap on any word and see its meaning there and then. It's also not taxing on the eyes. There are a multitude of Kindle models and versions available. Though, any model will meet our basic reading needs.

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries:

Link for Indian readers: Kindle

If you want to know more about such recommended books, you may read this article of ours.
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