Active & Passive Voice: A Complete Guide
For Competitive Exams (2026)
Learn Active & Passive Voice in 15 Minutes
Thousands of aspirants preparing for competitive exams and struggle with one subtle yet critical area:
Understanding the difference between active and passive voice.While both are used for building blocks of sentences, comprehension, and writing tasks - costing valuable marks. So, what exactly sets them apart?
Active and Passive Voice is one of the most important pillars of the English Grammar section for SSC CGL aspirants. At the same time, active and passive voice are not just exam topics—they
are widely used in our everyday communication. Therefore, understanding their rules is essential
not only for scoring well in competitive exams but also for improving your spoken and written English.
In this article, we will learn Active vs Passive Voice in a simple, exam-oriented way with rules, formulas, examples, and shortcut tricks. But before we begin,
as you do not have much time before
the exam, make a proper study plan
and revise the syllabus thoroughly before taking mock tests.
Here are some important topics for competitive exams. Revise them carefully, and if you have any doubts, consult your mentor.
SSC Mock Test for SSC CGL Candidates
Vocabulary Booster for SSC CGL
Grammar Notes for All Competitive Exams
In this blog, we will cover the topic active and passive voice.
(Active & Passive Voice): Important Topic for all Competitive Exams
Perfect for Beginners
📚What You'll Learn in This Blog
- What is Voice?
- What is Active Voice?
- What is Passive Voice?
- Difference between Active and Passive Voice
- Subject–Object Pronoun Conversion Chart
- Tense-wise Active to Passive Voice Rules
- Modal Verbs in Passive Voice
- Imperative, Interrogative, and Negative Sentences in Passive Voice
- Double Object Conversion
- Verbs That Cannot Be Changed into Passive Voice
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- SSC CGL Previous Year Pattern & Exam Tips
- Practice Questions with Answers
- Quick Revision Chart
Are you still memorizing long Active and Passive Voice rules? 🤔
Stop memorizing every formula separately. Start understanding the pattern.
In this article, I have explained a simple and consistent strategy to change Active Voice into Passive Voice without making common mistakes.
✔ Identify the object
✔ Move it to the subject position
✔ Use the correct form of be + V3
✔ Add by + subject only when necessary
Learn the concept, understand the structure, and practise with examples.
Read the complete article here 👇
Basic English Grammar for SSC CGL 2026 (competitive Exams)
In this blog, we will cover the topic, "Active and Passive voice".
First of all, let's know:
What is voice in Grammar?
Voice in English Grammar describes whether a subject of the verb performs an action or receives the action.
Types of Voice in English Grammar
There are three types of voice in English Grammar:
- Active Voice
- Passive Voice
- The Middle Voice
What is active voice?
In the above image, a person is drawing a picture.
In active voice: Subject does the action.
🧑💼 ✍️ 🖼️
Formula: Subject + Verb + Object
- Subject: He
- Verb: draws
- Object: a picture.
Subject does the action.
What is passive voice?
In passive voice, the focus is on the action.
🖼️ ✍️ 🧑💼
Formula: Object + Verb + Subject
- Object: A picture
- Verb: is + drawn
- Subject: by + him.
Subject receives the action.
You can easily understand through this image:
Always remember:
While changing into passive:
Most important (Don't skip)
- Don't change the subject and the object, it only shifts from subject to object.
- Transform only verb - change it according to tense
Write auxiliary verb according to subject + third form of the verb.
Master Active & Passive Voice 🎯
Write ✍️ Like a Pro
In this image, you observe that the third sentence," The children clapped merrily. "
- Have you noticed that there is no object?
- You cannot change it into passive voice.
Let's us know the reason:
- Why don't you transform it into passive voice?
- The main cause is - it has an intransitive verb.
There are two types of sentences:
Transitive: This kind of sentences require a direct object to receive the action.
For example: She writes an email. Here the verb "writes" and "an email " is a direct object. Without direct object the sentence in passive voice is not possible.
While intransitive verb does not require a direct object. It can stand alone and still convey the complete thought.
For example: "The baby crawls", here the verb "crawls" is an intransitive verb, and it doesn't need an object to make sense.
Direct and indirect objects are necessary in understanding transitive verbs. A direct object is the noun or pronoun that directly receives the action of the verb.
On the other hand, indirect object is the noun or pronoun that benefits from or is affected by the action.
For example:
👧 👨 🎁
She gave him a gift. (Active Voice)
You can transform it into passive voice in two ways:
🎁 👨 👧
A gift was given to him by her.
or
👨 🎁 👧
He was given a gift by her.
Here " a gift " is the direct object and "him" is the indirect object.
In this sentence a verb in the active voice takes two objects - a direct one (thing) and the indirect one (person).
Types of Voice:
Mainly there are two kinds of voice:
Active and Passive Voice, but there is one more that is " The Middle Voice ".
It is used when subject does the action on itself for its own interest. It often uses reflexive pronoun like myself, yourself, himself, ourselves, themselves etc.
For examples:
The middle voice is a grammatical voice that indicates the subject of the verb is both the doer and the receiver of the action, or that the action is reflexive or benefits the subject in some way. It is less common in English than in other languages like Greek or Sanskrit, where it is more explicitly marked. However, some examples in English can give a sense of how the middle voice functions:
1. The door opened.
Here, the door is both the thing that opens and the thing being opened.
The subject “the door” is involved in the action without an external agent explicitly mentioned.
2. The book reads well.
In this sentence, the book is the subject and is passively involved in the action of reading, suggesting it is easy or enjoyable to read.
3. She dresses quickly.
This implies she is dressing herself, where the action reflects back on
the subject.
The middle voice often involves reflexive or intransitive verbs, where the subject is performing an action that directly affects themselves.
In English, the middle voice can be expressed in various ways, often using reflexive pronouns (e.g., “He washed himself”), but it can also be implied through context and the structure of
the sentence as shown in the examples.
Difference Between Active vs. Passive Voice
🎯Master English, Express Better!
While changing active voice to passive voice, always keep in mind:
- You change the word order
- Change the verb
- 👉The delivery boy sends an OTP. (Active Voice)
- 👉An OTP is sent by the delivery boy. (Passive Voice)
Here, (Object becomes Subject) while changing active voice to passive voice.
👉Verb: Sends becomes "is sent" (be + past participle).
👉Subject becomes Agent: "The delivery boy" moves to an end, introduced by "by".
Cracking the Code: Active vs. Passive Voice for Competitive Exams
Active Voice
The structure of active voice: (Revise the structure)
Subject + Verb + Object
Learn difference between active and passive voice through visual image because visual image never fade away from our mind.
Passive Voice
Subject + auxiliary verb + past participle.
The tense of the verb changes, but the meaning remains the same.
Struggling to remember,' Active & Passive Voice'?
Don't worry,
Follow this simple and consistent strategy,and understanding Active and Passive Voice will become much easier.
Points to remember:
Omit "by + Subject" when the doer is unknown and unimportant.
For instance:
- Someone delivered the parcel. (Active Voice)
- The parcel was delivered. (Passive Voice)
Explanation: Words such as (Someone, Somebody, everybody, people and everyone) are indefinite subjects, that is why "by someone" is generally omitted as the doer is either unknown or unimportant.
Know the Basic Rule to Identify the Subject and the Object:
- The teacher explained the chapter.(Active Voice)
- The chapter was explained by the teacher. (Passive Voice)
Here,
👩🏫
the teacher: doer (Subject)
📖
the chapter: the receiver of the action (Object)
🎯Main difference
Master the Difference: Why Active & Passive Voice Matters for Your SSC CGL Success
Active Voice
Focuses on who performs the action:
Who did the action?
The teacher 👩🏫
Passive Voice
Focuses on:
What happened to the receiver of the action.
📖
The chapter was explained by the teacher.
Basic Pattern
Active Voice: Someone does something.
👩🏫 ✍️ 📔
The teacher + writes + on the notebook.
Here, the
Passive Voice: Something is done by someone.
📔 ✍️ 👩🏫
The notebook is written on by the teacher.
Note: The sentence "The teacher writes on the notebook." has no direct object.
Therefore, it becomes," The notebook is written on by the teacher", where the
preposition "on" remains with the verb.
Easy Trick to Remember:
Active Voice: The subject performs the action.
Passive Voice: The subject receives or is affected by the action.
Let's know the difference between active and passive voice through this visual flowchart:
Let's know how pronoun change from subject to object:
While transforming sentences from active to passive, we have to be cautious
about the use of personal pronouns:
I told her about the latest news.
(Subject form of the pronoun " I ")
She was told about the latest news by me.
(Object form of the pronoun " I ")
Let's take another example:
👴
Your grandfather gave us some 📚storybooks. (Active Voice)
📚
Some story books were given to us by your grandfather. (Passive Voice)
📚
Here, "Some storybooks" becomes the subject, "were given" is the passive verb phrase,
and "to us by your grandfather" identifies the subject.
Active Voice:
Your grandfather gave us some storybooks.
Here:
- Subject: Your grandfather
- Indirect object: us (recipient)
- Direct object: some storybooks (thing given)
The verb "give" takes two objects.
When changing to the passive, you have two possible passive sentences:
We were given some storybooks by your grandfather. ✅
Here, us becomes the subject, so it changes to "we".
Some storybooks were given to us by your grandfather. ✅
Here, "some storybooks" becomes the subject.
"Us" remains after the preposition to, so it stays in the objective case (us).
Why doesn't "us" change in the second sentence?
Because "us" is no longer the subject. It is the object of the preposition "to."
Let's Compare:
We were given some storybooks. ✅ (Subject → subjective pronoun)
Some storybooks were given to us. ✅ (Object of preposition → objective pronoun)
Rule to remember
If the pronoun becomes the subject in the passive voice, use the subject form:
- me → I
- us → we
- him → he
- her → she
- them → they
If the pronoun remains an object (usually after to or for), do not change it:
- to me
- to us
- to him
- to her
- to them
This is why
"Some storybooks were given to us by your grandfather." is correct. ✔️
"Some storybooks were given to we." is incorrect.❌
Subject - Object Pronoun Transformation Chart:
Here's a simple chart that illustrates the conversion between subject pronouns and object pronouns in English:
Subject Pronouns change into Object Pronouns
- I → Me
- You → You
- He → Him
- She → Her
- It → It
- We → Us
- They → Them
Subject pronouns are used as the subject of a sentence, while object pronouns are used as the object of a verb or preposition.
Pronoun rule in Active → Passive
If the pronoun becomes the subject of the passive sentence, use the subject form: I, we, he, she, they.
If the pronoun remains an object (after a verb or a preposition such as to/for/by), keep the object form: me, us, him, her, them.
Let's us know how pronouns change from subject to object through the following visual image, because visual things never fade away from our mind.
If the subject is he, she, it, or a singular noun (like the principal or Nitin), the simple present tense MUST add an "-s" to the verb.
Tense-wise Active to Passive Voice Rules
Mastering Voice Conversion: A
Step - by - Step Guide for All Competitive Exams
Transformation from the Active voice to the Passive Voice:
As you know only eight types of tenses can be transformed from Active to Passive.
They are as follows:
- Simple Present
- Present Progressive
- Present Perfect
- Simple Past
- Past Progressive
- Past Perfect
- Simple Future (will/shall)
- Going to (Future Tense - is/am/are going to + verb)
- Future Perfect
Note: Although this list contains nine forms, the 'going to ' future is not a separate tense.It is a future construction. Usually, grammar books often mention eight tenses can be changed into passive voice, while 'going to' future additional passive construction.
Point to remember
The following cannot be changed into the passive voice:
- Present Perfect Continuous
- Past Perfect Continuous
- Future Continuous
- Future Perfect Continuous
First and foremost, let's know the structure of active and passive voice:
Active Voice:
In active voice, the subject performs the action of the verb. This is the most common and direct way to write in English.
Key Structural Differences:
Active Voice: Subject + Verb + Object
Passive Voice: Object (becomes subject)
+ Helping Verb (be) + Past Participle + by + Original Subject (optional)
Structure:
Active Voice
Subject + Verb + Object
She + writes + a notice.
👧 ✍️ 🪧
It is an example of present indefinite tense.
Passive Voice:
In passive voice, the subject receives the action.
🪧 + ✍️ + 👧
A notice + is written + by her.
Object + Verb + Subject
Structure: Object + Auxiliary Verb + Past Participle (third form of the verb) + by + Subject
Basic Rules for Changing Active Voice into Passive Voice
- Move the object of the active voice (sentence) to the subject position in the passive sentence.
- Change the main verb to its Past Participle (third form of the verb) form.
- Use the appropriate auxiliary verb based on the tense.
- Add the preposition "by" before the new object (the agent doing the action), if it is necessary.
Point to Remember: If the doer is unknown, obvious, or unimportant,
the phrase "by + agent"is usually
omitted.
For example:
Someone took my backpack. (Active Voice)
My backpack was taken. (Passive Voice)
Here, the subject 'Someone' is an indefinite pronoun. When the doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious, we usually omit ' by + agent' in the passive voice.
SSC Rule to Remember
When the active sentence has an indefinite subject such as:
- people
- somebody
- everybody
- anyone
- everyone
- somebody
- someone
the phrase 'by +agent' is generally omitted in the passive voice unless there is a special reason to mention the doer.
Active to Passive Voice Rules for SSC CGL Aspirants:
Let's first revise the basic rules of active and passive voice in the following image:
Present Tense
Simple Present Tense
Active Voice
- Root form of the verb, sometimes with "s"or "es"
- Simple Present: Writes / Write (Is / Am / Are + Written)
Subject + V1(e/es) + Object
Passive Voice
Object + is/am/are + V3 + by + Subject
Example of Indefinite Tense:
Active Voice
My grandmother reads Ramayana every day.
Passive Voice
Ramayana is read by my grandmother every day.
First of all, identify the parts
- Subject: She
- Verb: reads (simple present tense)
- Object: Ramayana
- Adverb: every day
👉 Here is only one object, so only one passive form.
✅ Passive Voice
Ramayana is read by her every day.
Step-by-step change
- Ramayana (object) will change into (subject)
- reads (simple present) becomes (is read)
- she (subject) changes into (her)
- every day remains same (Adverb Placement does not change)
General Rule (From Active To Passive Voice)
Structure
- Subject + V¹ / V² + Object
- Object + is / am / are / was / were + V³ + by + subject
Tense Rule (Simple Present)
V¹ / V¹+s → is / am / are + V³
- Singular object → is
- Plural object → are
Important Rule (Proper Noun as Object)
Even if the object is a book / holy text / proper noun,
Another example:
- He writes a message immediately. (Active Voice)
- A message is written immediately by him. (Passive Voice)
or
- A message is immediately written by him.
Here, you see that object becomes subject," A message "moves to the front.
Explanation:
- Object becomes Subject: A message moves to the beginning of the sentence.
- Verb Tense: writes (Simple Present) will change into 'by him'.
- Subject becomes Agent: he → by him.
- Adverb Placement: The adverb immediately usually remains in the same or is placed near the verb.
👉Verb Tense: "Writes":(Simple Present Tense) becomes " is written"(be + past participle).
Subject becomes Agent: "he" changes to " by him ".
Adverb Placement: "immediately" will not change and will be placed at the end or near the verb.
Learn grammar through visuals -
Present Continuous Tense
Present Continuous:
Active Voice
Is / Am / Are + Writing
Passive Voice
Is / Am / Are + Being+ Written
My grandmother is reading Ramayana.
(Active Voice)
Form of the verb:
is/am/are + Present Participle
(First form of the verb + ing)
Ramayana is being read by my grandmother. (Passive Voice)
is/am/are + being + Past Participle
(Third form of the verb)
Another example:
He is writing a message. (Active Voice)
A message is being written by him. (Passive Voice)
Object + is + being + V3
Present Perfect Tense
Rule:
- Subject + have/ has + past participle +object.
- has/have + been + Past Participle form of the verb
My grandmother has read Ramayana. (Active Voice)
Form of the verb:
has/have + Past Participle
Ramayana has been read by my grandmother. (Passive Voice)
Form of the verb:
has/have + been + Past Participle form of the verb
Another example
- He has written a message. (Active Voice)
- A message has been written by him. (Passive Voice)
Past Tense
Simple Past Tense
- Active: Wrote
- Passive: Was / Were + Written
My grandmother read Ramayana yesterday. (Active Voice)
Second form of the verb - read
Ramayana was read by my grandmother yesterday. (Passive Voice)
was/were + third form of the verb (read)
Another example
- He wrote a message last week. (Active Voice)
- A message was written by him last week. (Passive Voice)
Past Continuous Tense
- Active: Was / Were + Writing
- Passive: Was / Were + Being+ Written
My grandmother was reading Ramayana. (Active Voice)
was/were + Present Participle (First form + ing)
Ramayana was being read by my grandmother.
was/were + being + Past Participle (Third Form)
Another example
- He was writing a message. (Active Voice)
- A message was being written by him. (Passive Voice)
Past Perfect Tense
My grandmother had read Ramayana last month. (Active Voice)
Had + Past participle
Ramayana had been read by my grandmother. (Passive Voice)
Had + been + Past participle
Another example
- He had written a message before. (Active Voice)
- A message had been written by him before. (Passive Voice)
Future Tense
Simple Future Tense
My grandmother will read Ramayana in the evening. (Active Voice)
shall/ will + root form of the verb
Ramayana will be read by my grandmother in the evening. (Passive Voice)
shall be/ will be + Past Participle form of the verb
Another example
- He will write a message. (Active Voice)
- A message will be written by him. (Passive Voice)
Going to (Future Tense)
My grandmother is going to read Ramayana. (Active Voice
is going to + first form of the verb
Ramayana is going to be read by my grandmother. ( Passive Voice)
is going to be + past participle
Another example
- He is going to write a message. (Active Voice)
- A message is going to be written by him. (Passive Voice)
Future Perfect Tense
My grandmother will have read Ramayana before the end of the month. (Active Voice)
will/shall+ have been + past participle form of the verb
Ramayana will have been read by my grandmother before the end of the month. (Passive Voice)
will /shall + have been + past participle form of the verb
Another example
He will have written a message by Saturday. (Active Voice)
A message will have been written by him by Saturday. (Passive Voice)
Note: Here are two " by "
- by him = shows the doer (agent).
- by Saturday = shows the time limit (deadline).
So the correct passive voice is:
A message will have been written by him by Saturday. ✅
If the agent ("him") is not important or is obvious from the context, you may omit it:
A message will have been written by Saturday. ✅
Both are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings:
A message will have been written by him by Saturday. → Emphasizes that he will write it.
shall be/ will be + Past Participle form of the verb
For SSC CGL and other competitive exams, if the active sentence contains the subject and there is no reason to omit it, writing "by him" is perfectly acceptable.
Modal Verbs in Passive Voice:
understand it and remember it forever.
Modals in Passive Voice
Rule
A modal auxiliary verb is used in the active voice remains unchanged in the passive voice.
Common modal verbs are as follows:
- can
- could
- may
- shall
- might
- would
- should
- shall
- must
- ought to
Structure
- Active Voice: Sub + Modal + V1 +Obj
- Passive Voice: Obj + Modal + be + V3 +by + Sub
Example:
- He should forward an email to his boss. (Active Voice)
- An email should be forwarded to his boss by him. (Passive Voice)
Explanation:
- An email becomes the new subject.
- Modal "should" remains unchanged.
- Forward changes "to be forwarded.
- He changes to "by him".
Modal that is used in active voice always remain intact in the passive voice.
Rules of Active and Passive Voice
If there is modal auxiliaries in the active voice, the passive voice can be transformed as follows:
- Can you solve this puzzle? (Active Voice)
- Can this puzzle be solved by you? (Passive Voice)
Note: Can remains unchanged. We only add be before the past participle(solved).
Structure:
Rule to Remember:
Active Voice
The Modal Auxiliary + root form of the verb
Passive Voice
The Modal auxiliary + be + past participle form of the verb
Let's explore some more examples of "can", "must", "may", "should", "ought to" and "would" in the following image:
Points to remember:
"Modal Auxiliary Verbs" never change in the passive voice.
- Only the sentence structure changes.
- Add be after the modal.
- change the main verb to its past participle.
- Use by + agent only when necessary.
Keeping these points in mind, try to convert the following sentences into passive voice in the following image:
More examples of Modal Verbs are as follows:
We should obey our elders. (Active Voice)
Our elders should be obeyed by us.(Passive Voice)
Modal auxiliary + be + third form of the verb.
Here, form of the verb is the same as that of a verb in the simple future tense.
He could not play any outdoor game. (Active Voice)
No outdoor game could be played by him. (Passive Voice)
or
He could not play any outdoor games.
(Passive Voice)
This type of questions commonly asked in grammar exams like SSC CGL.
Formula
Modal + V¹ → Modal + be + V³
Examples:
- can write → can be written
- should complete → should be completed
- must finish → must be finished
- could play → could be played
- ought to obey → ought to be obeyed
SSC CGL Exam Tip 💡
Questions based on modal verbs in passive voice are frequently asked in
SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, CPO, MTS, and other competitive examinations.
Always remember this shortcut:
- Modal = No Change
- Add "be" + V³
- Object becomes Subject
This single rule helps you solve almost every passive voice question involving modal verbs accurately.
Visual Learning helps you to learn faster and remember longer.
Imperative, Interrogative, and Negative Sentences in Passive Voice
Imperative Sentences
Active Voice: Close the door.
Passive Voice: Let the door be closed.
Explanation: Imperative sentences in passive voice often use the structure
"Let + object + be + past participle."
May I use your mobile? (Active Voice)
May your mobile be used by me? (Passive Voice)
The active sentence is:
Active: Please give me a glass of lukewarm water.
This is a request, so there are multiple acceptable passive-like transformations depending on the style.
1. Most natural and commonly accepted
You are requested to give me a glass of lukewarm water. ✅
Sometimes in exams, the examiners ask to change the passive by using "Let".
Please give me a glass of lukewarm water.
- Let me be given a glass of lukewarm water.
- You are requested to give me a glass of lukewarm water.
The "Let me be given..." form is also grammatically correct and is often accepted while converting imperative sentences into the passive voice.
Interrogative Sentences
- Active Voice: Did the artist paint the portrait?
- Passive Voice: Was the portrait painted by the artist?
Explanation: In passive interrogative sentences, start with the auxiliary verb "was," followed by the subject ("the portrait") and past participle of the main verb ("painted"). The phrase "by the artist" indicates the doer of the action.
Interrogative Sentences
Questions starting with "Who" change to "By whom" in the passive voice.
Active: Who wrote this?
Passive: By whom was this written?
- Are they singing a melodious song? (Active Voice)
- Is a melodious song being sung by them? (Passive Voice)
Here, "melodious song" becomes (object) becomes the subject, and "them" (subject) becomes the agent. The present continuous form" are singing" changes to " is being sung"
to show the action is in progress. Sentence remains interrogative by starting with " is ".
- Active Voice: Did the artist paint the portrait?
- Passive Voice: Was the portrait painted by the artist?
Explanation: In passive interrogative sentences, start with the auxiliary verb "was," followed by the subject ("the portrait") and past participle of the main verb ("painted"). The phrase "by the artist" indicates the doer of the action.
Have/has + subject + past participle + (object)?
- Has he played video games? (Active Voice)
- Have video games been played by him. (Passive Voice)
Active Voice (Negative Sentences)
He did not forward an email to his boss.
Identify the parts🔍
Subject: He
Verb: did not forward (simple past - negative)
Object: an email
Prepositional phrase: to his boss
👉 Only one object, so only one passive form.
✅ Passive Voice
An email was not forwarded to his boss by him.
Step-by-step change
an email (object) changes into subject
did not forward (V²) changes into was forwarded (was + V³)
he becomes by him
to his boss remains unchanged
👉 General Rule (Active → Passive)
Structure
Subject + V² + Object
Object + was / were + not + V³ + by + subject
Tense Rule (Simple Past- Negative)
- did not forward (Active Voice)
- was not forwarded (Passive Voice)
For singular subject always use "was".
Active Voice: The team did not complete the project.
Passive Voice: The project was not completed by the team.
Explanation: For negative sentences in the passive voice, the auxiliary verb "was" is followed by "not" to maintain the negation. The main verb "complete" changes to "completed" (past participle).
She did not appoint anyone. (Active Voice)
Exam Tip:
When an active sentence contains "not...any", it is often better to change
it to "no" in the passive:
Some other examples to clarify the doubt
- We did not celebrate any festivals.
- No festivals were celebrated by us.
- My friend cannot solve any puzzle.
- No puzzle can be solved by my friend
Double Object Conversion:
Ditransitive verbs take two objects:
- Direct object
- Indirect object
In case, there are two forms in the passive voice, it is known as ditransitive verbs in active voice.
For example:
Mr. Rao teaches us Ancient History. (Active Voice)
1. Ancient History is taught by Mr. Rao. (Passive Voice)
Or
2. We are taught Ancient History by Mr. Rao. (Passive Voice)
Suppose if the sentence is:
Mr Rao teaches Ancient History.
Then, "teach" is a mono transitive.
Now the question is:
why?
Because it has only one object.
But if the sentence is:
Mr. Rao teaches us Ancient History.
Here, "us" is the indirect object and "Ancient History" is direct object.
This sentence is the appropriate example of di-transitive.
Another example:
The manager elected Raman a representative.(Active Voice)
Raman was elected a representative by the manager. (Passive Voice)
The verb "elect" takes a complex object:
Object: Raman
Object complement: a representative
The two passive forms are:
1. Raman was elected a representative by the manager. ✅
2. A representative was elected for Raman by the manager. ❌
(Not acceptable as a passive transformation of the original sentence.)
In standard English grammar, only the first passive is considered correct. The noun "a representative" is not an independent direct object; it is an object complement describing Raman.
Therefore, it cannot normally become the subject of a passive sentence.
Rule
When a sentence has an object + object complement (e.g., elect, appoint, make, call, name, choose), the object becomes the subject in the passive, while the object complement remains after the verb.
Examples:
They appointed him captain.
He was appointed captain. ✅
We called her intelligent.
She was called intelligent. ✅
The manager elected Raman a representative.
Raman was elected a representative by the manager. ✅
There is only one standard passive form, not two.
Don't get confused, while changing the sentence into passive voice:
The manager elected Raman a representative.
Many learners think Raman and a representative are two objects.
Raman = Direct Object
a representative = Object Complement (it tells us what Raman was elected as)
You can verify this by asking:
Whom did the manager elect? → Raman ✅
What did the manager elect? → You cannot answer "a representative" alone. ❌
Compare this with a sentence having two genuine objects:
The teacher gave me a book.
Here:
- me = Indirect Object
- a book = Direct Object
So, it has two passive forms:
1. I was given a book by the teacher. ✅
2. A book was given to me by the teacher. ✅
But here in the sentence, a "representative" is not an object; it is an object complement.
Therefore, only one passive is possible:
Raman was elected a representative by the manager. ✅
This distinction—double object vs. object + object complement—is very important for SSC CGL voice conversion questions.
Some words can be mono and di transitive.
Let's us understand those words that have both: 1. Mono 2. Di - transitive
- Take
- Teach
- Give
- Write
- Promise
- Bring
- Make
- Get
- Show
- Offer
Verbs That Cannot Be Transformed into Passive Voice
1. Future Continuous Tense
As we know, we cannot convert Future Continuous Tense into Passive.
Example:
They will be playing football.
❌ No passive voice.
2. Verbs That Do Not Form Passive Construction Naturally:
- resemble
- belong
- look
- have (possession)
However:
have (possession), resemble, belong, lack normally do not form natural passive constructions.
3. "Look at the blackboard."
- Look at the blackboard.
- You are requested to look at the blackboard.
⚠️ This is not the passive voice of the original sentence.
The original sentence is an imperative with an intransitive verb ("look" has no direct object here).
Its passive cannot be formed directly.
"You are requested to look at the blackboard." is a different sentence,
not a passive transformation.
4. Verbs of movement
Examples:
He went home.
She arrived early.
The baby fell.
The old man died.
These are intransitive verbs, so no passive voice is possible.
5. Verbs showing possession
Verbs: No Passive is Possible
belong ❌ No passive.
consist of ❌ No passive.
Verbs: Passive is Possible.
contain Passive is possible.
The box contains books.
50 chocolates are contained in the box. (Grammatically correct though uncommon.)
comprise ✔️ Passive is possible.
The team comprises ten members.
Ten members are comprised by the team. (Rare and not preferred.)
own ✔️ Passive is possible.
She owns a bungalow.
The bungalow is owned by her.
So "own", "contain", and "comprise" should not be listed as verbs that cannot form the passive.
6. Verbs of perception
- see
- hear
- prefer
- notice
- recognize
- taste
- smell
Examples:
I saw him.
He was seen by me. ✔️
We heard the noise.
The noise was heard by us. ✔️
Everyone recognized her.
She was recognized by everyone. ✔️
The police noticed the mistake.
The mistake was noticed by the police. ✔️
Even:
The soup tasted delicious.
Here taste is a linking verb, so no passive.
I tasted the soup. → The soup was tasted by me. ✔️
Example:
Many people prefer tea.
Tea is preferred by many people. ✔️
7. Intransitive verbs
No object → No passive.
Examples:
They were working hard. ❌
He slept well. ❌
She smiled. ❌
The children laughed in the evening. ❌
He slept peacefully. ❌
These are unquestionably intransitive.
Suggested rule for SSC Candidates
A sentence can be changed into the passive voice only if the verb is transitive (i.e., it has a direct object).
Some transitive verbs (such as own, contain, believe, prefer, see, hear, recognize, love, trust, want) can form passive constructions, though some are uncommon in everyday English.
Intransitive verbs (go, come, die, arrive, fall, sleep, laugh, etc.) and certain verbs like belong, resemble, consist of, and have (possession) normally do not form passive voice.
As we know, we cannot convert "Future Continuous Tense" into "Passive".
Verbs like think, remember, feel, look, appear, have, has etc.
I have a pet dog.🐶
A pet dog is had by me.❌ (Incorrect)
Verbs in general like look, refuse, appear, resemble, require, hope, seem, become etc.
Look at the blackboard.
You are requested to look at the blackboard.
Verbs of movement cannot be converted into passive voice like fall, go, die, come, arrive etc.
They went to the library before exams.
❌ no (passive voice)
For example:
You want a chocolate. (Active)
A chocolate is wanted by you. (Passive – grammatically correct, but very unnatural
in everyday English.)
Similarly:
Everyone loved the performance.
The performance was loved by everyone. ✔️
People believe the story.
The story is believed (by people). ✔️
They trust him.
He is trusted by them. ✔️
However, some stative verbs are normally not used in the passive because they do
not sound natural in ordinary English, for example:
- have (possession)
- resemble
- belong (already intransitive, so no passive)
- lack
Stative verbs (such as believe, love, like, trust, want, wish, etc.) can often be changed into the passive if they take a direct object. However, the passive form is frequently less natural than the active form and is therefore used less often. Some stative verbs (e.g., belong, resemble, lack) do not normally form
a passive voice.
So, "A chocolate is wanted by you" is grammatically correct but stylistically unnatural, not incorrect. This distinction is important, especially for SSC CGL and other competitive exams, where the focus is on grammatical correctness rather than everyday usage.
He resembles his grandfather.
His grandfather is resembled by him. ❌
The sentence does not convey the meaning if you change active sentence into passive voice.
Mastering Active and Passive Voice: Avoid These Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid These Common Mistakes - And How to Fix Them Fast
While changing passive voice, you neglect the rules and consequently, you do silly mistakes:
1. He will complete the project tomorrow.
( Active Voice )
The project would be completed by him tomorrow. ❌ (Incorrect )
In passive voice "will" = remains as it is.
The correct answer is:.
The project will be completed by him tomorrow. ✔️ (Correct )
2. Somebody stole my bunch of keys yesterday.
My bunch of keys were stolen yesterday.❌ (Incorrect)
The correct answer will be:
My bunch of keys was stolen yesterday.✔️(Correct)
3. This bag contains 30 chocolates.
30 chocolates are contained this bag. ❌(Incorrect)
30 chocolates are contained in this bag. ✔️ (Correct)
4. They are looking into the matter seriously.
The matter is looked into by them seriously.(Incorrect)❌
The correct answer will be:
The matter is being looked into by them. ✔️(Correct)
5. The invigilator gave me an answer sheet to write.
I was given an answer sheet write with by the invigilator.❌ (Incorrect)
The correct answer will be:
I was given an answer sheet to write by the invigilator. ✔️(Correct)
6. May I come in?
Am me allowed to come in? ❌ (Incorrect)
Am I allowed to come in? ✔️(Correct)
7. I did not ask anyone.
Anyone was not asked by me. ❌(incorrect)
Nobody was asked by me. ✔️(correct)
8. They know him.
He is known by them. ❌(Incorrect)
He is known to them. ✔️(correct)
9. Her conduct surprise everyone.
Everyone is surprised by her conduct. ❌(Incorrect)
Everyone is surprised at her conduct. ✔️(Correct)
10. People fly kites on Independence Day.
On Independence Day kites are flow by people. ❌(Incorrect)
On Independence Day kites are flown by people. ✔️(correct)
Quick Tips to Avoid Errors
- Use passive when the action matters more than the doer.
- Double check your past participles.
- Practice converting between active and passive confidently.
Mastering these nuances boosts your grammar accuracy and strengthens your exam performance.
SSC CGL Previous Year Pattern & Exam Tips
SSC CGL: Active & Passive Voice - High Yield Notes
Most Important Question Types
SSC CGL, CHSL, CPO, MTS, GD and other Government exams commonly ask:
- Active to Passive
- Passive to Active
- Interrogative sentences
- Imperative (commands, advice, requests)
- Sentences with modal verbs
- Progressive (continuous) tenses
- Verbs with prepositions
- Infinitive structures
- Sentences with two objects
Interrogative Sentences
Rule
If the active sentence begins with Do/Does/Did, the passive structure is:
Did they win the concert?
Was the concert won by them?
The form of the verb in passive voice is:
is/am/are or was/ were + third form of the verb.
If the question in the active voice is in the Simple Present/Past; the Wh-Word is followed by do/does/did, the passive form of the verb is; is/am/are/was/were + third form of the verb.
Important rule
"Who" changes into "By whom"
"Whom" changes into "Who"
Who teaches you at home?(Active Voice )
By whom are you taught at home? (Passive Voice)
Whom did you ask to go? (Active Voice)
Who was asked by you to go (Passive Voice)
When a verb has two objects, either objects can become the subject.
He gave his teacher a Parker pen.(Active Voice)
Here, are two objects
Passive Voice
1. A Parker pen was given to his teacher by him.
2. His teacher was given a Parker pen by him.
But in the following example, there is only one object.
Who teaches you in coaching?
(Active Voice )
By whom are you taught in coaching?
(Passive Voice)
Whom did you ask?
Who was asked by you?
Progressive Tense Trap:
Remember to keep the preposition.
For example
The spectators were laughing at the clown.(Active Voice)
The clown was being laughed at by them.(Passive Voice)
Need + V - ing
SSC frequently asks this pattern:
My beard needs trimming.(Active Voice)
My beard needs to be trimmed.(Passive Voice)
This house needs brooming.(Active Voice)
This house needs to be broomed. (Passive Voice)
Imperative, Commands & Suggestions
Advice, commands and requests are asked in competitive exams.
When the verbs expressing advice, command or request, use the verb "Let"
followed by the Passive Infinitive without "to", the form of the verb in the
passive voice is:
- Let + be + third form of the verb.
- Place the subject between "Let" and "be" after then use third form of the verb.
For example
Type this notice to circulate.
Let this notice be typed to circulate.
Stand up.
You are ordered to stand up.
Kindly go through the grammar notes.
You are requested to go through the grammar notes.
SSC usually tests passive forms where the verbs takes a preposition other than " by".
Fixed Preposition (satisfied with)
My parents are satisfied with my performance.
Fixed Preposition (knocked at)
The main gate was being knocked at by the guests.
Fixed Preposition (pleased with)
The instructor was pleased with my performance.
Fixed Preposition (known to)
I am known to her.
Fixed Preposition (contain in)
Contaminated water is contained in this jug.
Sentences With Modal Verbs:
The form of the verb is the same as that of a verb in the Simple Future Tense
Modal auxiliary+ be + third form of the verb.
She can explain this chapter perfectly.
(Active Voice)
This chapter can be explained by her perfectly. (Active Voice)
You ought to respect our elders.(Active Voice)
Our elders ought to be respected by you.
(Passive Voice)
May I have your mobile number? ( Active Voice)
Could your mobile number be given to me?
Sentences With Infinitive Structure:
Conversion of voice is made only through the change in Infinitive
(to + be + third form of the verb) and the main verb is not changed.
For example:
Young girls like to play with dolls.
To play with dolls is liked by young girls.
It is necessary to call his parents.
It is necessary for his parents to be called.
A pen is to write with.
A pen is used for writing.
Exam Tips and Tricks to Crack SSC CGL
- Learn the passive structures of all tenses.
- Memorize Modal + be + V3.
- Remember Who converts into By whom and Whom will change into Who
- Never omit preposition (at, with, to, on etc.)
- Practice verbs with two objects ( give, teach, ask, offer, tell, send )
- Pay attention to imperative and continuous tense questions - they frequently appear in competitive exams.
These pattern cover majority of Active and Passive questions asked in SSC CGL, CHSL, CPO and other Government exams.
Generally multiple-choice questions are asked but sometimes such type of questions also asked:
Read the instructions given below, then complete the passage by choosing correct answer from the options given below the passage:
Question 1
Take a metro train pass form.
Paste your photo on it.
Fill up your particulars - name, email, home address and mobile number etc.
Submit it to the office. Deposit the fare, collect the receipt. Show the receipt
to the concerned officer and collect your pass.
The process of getting a metro train pass issued is quite simple. First of all, a metro train pass form is taken and a photo of mine (a)..... on it. Then all the particulars such as name, email, home address and mobile number etc. (b).......After that it (c)...... to the office. Then it ..... (d) to the concerned officer and deposit the fare (e)....... and receipt........
(a) (i) is affixed (ii) are affixed (iii) were affixed
(b) (i) is filled up (ii) was filled up (iii) are filled up
(c) (i) is given (ii) was given (iii) are given
(d) (i) was deposited (ii) are deposited (iii) is deposited
(e) (i) is collected (ii) was collected (iii) were collected
Answers
(a) is affixed
(b) are filled up
(c) is given
(d) is taken
(e) is collected
Put a cup of water in an empty container.
Light the gas burner. Place the pan on the stove to boil the water. Add some sugar to boiling water. Turn off the gas burner. Take an empty cup. Put a spoonful of coffee powder. Stir the mixture. Add milk and some chocolate flavour.
For preparing a cup of hot coffee, water is poured in an empty vessel. After lightening the gas burner, the pan (a) ....... on the stove to boil the water. Then some sugar(b)....... After water has boiled, the gas burner is turned off. An empty cup (c)....... and a spoonful of coffee powder (d)....... in it. Finally, milk
and some chocolate flavour (e).......... as desired.
(a) (i) are placed (ii) were placed (iii) is placed
(b) (i) has added (ii) is added (iii) are added
(c) (i) will be taken (ii) are taken (iii) is taken
(d) (i) is placed (ii) are placed (iii) was placed
(e) (i) are added (ii) is added (iii) to be added
Answers
(a) is placed
(b) is added
(c) is taken
(d) is placed
(e) are added
Practice Paper to Ace SSC CGL Easily
Choose the correct option:
He appointed Prabha class representative.
Prabha is appointed class representative by him.
Prabha was appoint class representative by him.
Prabha was appointed class representative by him.
Ans: Prabha was appointed class representative by him.
Has the maid broken the bone china cup?
Has the Bone China cup broken by the maid?
Has the Bone China cup been broken by the maid?
Has been the Bone China broken by the maid?
Ans: Has the Bone China cup been broken by the maid?
Please do join us for brunch.
You are requested to join us for brunch.
You are invited to come for brunch.
You are suggested to join us for brunch.
Ans: You are requested to join us for brunch.
Have you seen my charger?
Have my charger been seen by you?
Has my charger been seen by you?
Had my charger been seen by you?
Ans: Has my charger been seen by you?
Who wrote the novel," A Noble Name"?
By whom had the novel, " A Noble Name " written?
By whom was the novel, "A Noble Name" written?
By whom was the novel, "A Noble Name" wrote?
Ans: By whom was the novel," A Noble Name" written?
Who are you going to invite to the housewarming party?
By whom is going to be invited to the housewarming party?
Who is going to be invited to the housewarming party?
Whom are you going to invite to the housewarming party?
Ans: Whom are you going to invite to the housewarming party?
Note: 'Who ' changes into 'By whom' and 'Whom' into 'Who'.
May you live prosperous life!
May you lived a prosperous life.
May a prosperous life be lived by you.
May a prosperous life be live by you.
Ans: May a prosperous life be lived by you.
Did the spectators cheer the T20 team?
Had the T20 team cheered by the spectators?
Were the T20 team cheered by the spectators?
Was the T20 team cheered by the spectators?
Ans: Was the T20 team cheered by the spectators?
Are you playing with the fidgets?
Are the fidgets being played with by you?
Is the fidgets being played with by you?
Have the fidgets being played with by you?
Ans: Are the fidgets being played with by you?
Where did you buy this gadget?
Where had this gadget bought by you?
Where was this gadget buy by you?
Where was this gadget bought by you?
Ans: Where was this gadget bought by you?
Is he still chatting with his friend on the mobile phone?
Was his friend still chatted with on the mobile phone by him?
Is his friend still chatted with on the mobile phone by him?
Is his friend still being chatted with on the mobile phone by him?
Ans: Is his friend still being chatted with on the mobile phone by him?
How will you pack the return gifts for the function?
How will the return gifts to be packed for the function?
How will the return gifts be packed for the function (by you)?
How is the return gifts be packed for the function?
Ans: How will the return gifts be packed for the function (by you)?
Frequently Asked Questions About Active and Passive Voice
How do I convert an active sentence into passive without making mistakes?
Follow this simple pattern to convert an active sentence to passive:
Identify the object in the active sentence.
Move it to the subject position.
Add the appropriate form of be + past participle of the main verb.
Optionally, include the doer with by.
Example:
Active Voice: The preacher delivered a sermon.
Passive Voice: A sermon was delivered by the preacher.
What if the sentence has two objects? Can I make two passive sentences?
If a verb has two objects
1. direct object
2. indirect object
You can create two passive sentences.
For example:
She gave him a tablet. (Active Voice)
A tablet was given to him. (Passive Voice 1)
He was given a tablet. (Passive Voice 2)
Note: 'By her' is optional and should be used only when the doer is important.
Are there tenses that do not work in passive voice?
Passive voice is not possible with intransitive verbs because they do not take an object.
For instance, we cannot say "she was arrived." The verb 'arrive' has no object.
Other common intransitive verbs include go, sleep, occur, sleep, arrive, die and happen.
That is why, passive voice is generally formed only with transitive verbs.
How can I identify passive voice quickly during exams?
Look for forms of 'be' (is, am, are, was, were, been, being) followed by a past participle.
In passive voice, the receiver of the action comes first.
Practicing this pattern regularly will help you identify passive voice quickly and accurately in competitive exams.
English Grammar #Active Passive Voice #SSCEnglish #EnglishForCompetitiveExams
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