Day- 12

Language Focus

Active and Passive Voice

Definition

• When the subject of the sentence performs the action denoted by the verb, we use the active form.
• The subject of the sentence is the doer (the originator) of the action denoted by the verb

Example

1. Serena bakes cakes.
2. The director of examinations announced the results.

Structure

• The subject of the verb is the subject of the sentence.
• Both transitive and intransitive verbs can have the active form.

Example

1. Dr. Mullen teaches us.
2. Dr. Mullen teaches English.
3. Dr. Mullen teaches us English.
4. They announced the results.
5. We whitewash our house every year.
6. Some men took the patient to the hospital.
7. They say that ghosts are not real.
8. Rice sells at Rs.48 a kilo.

Please Note!

In the active form we give importance to the doer (originator) of the action/the person performing the action.

Example

1. The doctors cannot guarantee an absolute cure.
2. Our Prime Minister has launched The Clean India Movement.
3. Our Prime Minister has launched The Clean India Movement.
4. Mahatma Gandhi practiced what he preached.

THE PASSIVE FORM

Definition

• When the action denoted by the verb is not performed by the subject of the sentence we use the passive form.
• The subject of the sentence is not the doer (the originator) of the action denoted by the verb.

Example

1. Cakes are baked by Serena.
2. The results were announced.

Structure

• The object of the verb is used as the subject of the sentence.
• The subject of the verb is used either as the passive object or ignored.
• Only transitive verbs can have the passive form.
• The main verb is used in its past participle form preceded by a suitable ‘be’ form.

Example

1. We are taught by Dr. Mullen.
2. English is taught by Dr. Mullen.
3. (i)English is taught by Dr. Mullen.
   (ii)English is taught to us by Dr. Mullen.
4. The results were announced.
5. The patient was taken to the hospital.
6. It is said that ghosts are not real.
7. Rice is sold at Rs. 48 a Kilo.

Please Note!

In the passive form the thing done is given importance to.

Example

1. Absolute cure cannot be guaranteed by doctors.
2. Our tanks and lakes should be protected.
3. School children must be taught civic responsibilities.
4. In our country farmers are not taken care of.

Drill-1

Present simple and past simple Active

Active

1. Serena bakes a Christmas cake. - Singular
2. Serena bakes cakes. – Plural
3. Serena baked a cake – Singular
4. Serena baked cakes. - Plural

Passive

1. A Christmas cake is baked by Serena.
2. Cakes are baked by Serena.
3. A cake was backed by Serena.
4. Cakes were backed by Serena.

Part B

Please write

Restate the following sentences as directed.

1. Flora sells mangoes. (into passive)
2. Adrian made these toys. (into passive)
3. The mob broke all the shop windows in the recent riots. (into passive)
4. These oranges were brought here by my children. (into active)
5. Our science block was declared open by one of our senior teachers. (into active)
6. Andrew’s new vase was broken by his son. (into active)
7. Most people oppose the new regulations. (into active)
8. School children like beautiful books. (into passive)
9. My parents look after my children very well. (into passive)
10. Our principal was seen off by the students at the air port (into active)

Drill – 2

Present continuous and past continuous

Active

1. Serena is baking a cake.
2. Serena is baking cakes.
3. Serena was baking a cake.
4. Serena was baking cakes.

Passive

1. A cake is being baked by Serena.
2. Cakes are being baked by Serena.
3. A cake was being baked by Serena.
4. Cakes were being baked by Serena.

Part B

Restate the following sentences as directed

1. The teacher is drawing a diagram on the black board. (into passive)
2. My mother is making coffee. (into passive)
3. Grandpa is reading the paper. (into passive)
4. The witness was being cross examined by the counsel when I entered the hall..
5. The roads are being cleaned by the NSS volunteers. (into active)

Drill – 3

Present perfect and past perfect

Part A

Please read

Active

1. Serena has baked a cake.
2. Serena has baked cakes.
3. Serena had baked a cake.
4. Serena had baked cakes.

Passive

1. A cake has been baked by Serena.
2. Cakes have been baked by Serena.
3. A cake had been baked by Serena.
4. Cakes had been baked by Serena

Part B

Please write

Restate the following sentences as directed.

1. Ravi Varma has adopted this village. (into passive)
2. My shoes have been polished by Marilyn. (into active)
3. Nadia had prepared our lunch when we returned home. (into passive)
4. Scientists have discovered a cure for common cold (into passive)
5. I didn’t know why they had chosen me. (into passive)
6. Most employees knew why they had been suspended from service. (into active)

Drill – 4

Modal Verbs

Part A

Please write

Active

1. Serena will bake a cake.
2. Serena can bake cakes.
3. Serena may bake cakes.
4. Serena could bake cakes.

Passive

1. A cake will be baked by Serena.
2. Cakes will be baked by Serena.
3. Cakes may be baked by Serena.
4. Cakes could be baked by Serena.

Part B

Restate the following sentences as directed.

1. We must discover the best in us. (into passive)
2. You can achieve your goals b y hard work. (into passive)
3. A new lesson may be taught by our teacher today. (into active)
4. Your desires cannot be fulfilled by others. (into active)
5. Permission may be granted to them. (into active)
6. The Principal ought to be invited to the party. (into active)
7. By next year a bridge will have been built. (into active)
8. We will have done everything by the 30th of this month. (into passive)

Drill – 5

Question Forms

Part A

Please read

Active

1. What is Serena baking?
2. Can Serena bake cakes?
3. Does Serena bake cakes?
4. Why does Serena bake cakes?

Passive

1. What is being baked by Serena?
2. Can cakes be baked by Serena?
3. Are cakes baked by Serena?
4. Why are cakes baked by Serena ?

Part B

Please write

Restate the following sentences as directed.

1. What are you doing? (into passive)
2. What is your brother doing? (into passive)
3. Can anyone buy health? (into passive)
4. How does David manage his employees? (into passive)
5. Can happiness be bought by anyone? (into active)
6. Is Mona Lisa selling flowers every evening? (into passive)
7. Can alcohol addicts be rehabilitated? (into active)
8. Why was Billa arrested? (into active)

Drill – 7

Impersonal Passive

Part A

Please read

Active

1. Somebody called the police.
2. People often prefer idly for breakfast.
3. They believe that we shall be able to prevent cancer soon.
4. Nobody closed the door.

Passive

1. The police was called.
2. Idly is often preferred for breakfast.
3. It is believed that we shall be able to prevent cancer soon.
4. The door was not closed.

Note

Often when we use the passive forms it is quite unnecessary, undesirable and difficult to mention the names or identities of the persons/ agents who perform the action.

Part B

Please write

Restate the following sentences as directed.

1. Somebody received us at the station. (into passive)
2. Coffee is often preferred for breakfast. (into active)
3. They all expected the chief guest to arriveat six’ o clock. (into passive)
4. Rice is eaten in Asian countries. (into active)
5. The meeting is scheduled to start at 9am. (into active)
6. Somebody brought me this paper early this morning. (into passive)
7. They demand tax reduction. (into passive)
8. Everybody admires beauty. (into passive)

Drill - 8

Part A

Please read

Sentences with two objects

Active

1. We sent Serena a cake.
2. They granted us leave.

Two passive forms are possible

1. Serena was sent a cake.
2. A cake was sent to Serena.
3. We were granted leave.
4. Leave was granted to us.

Note

Some sentences have a direct object and an indirect object. These sentences can have two passive forms.

Part B

Please write

Restate the following sentences as directed

1. We have given Serena a promotion. (into passive)
2. A message will be sent to the Prime Minister. (into active)
3. We teach our children English Grammar. (into passive)
4. The postman handed me a big parcel. (into passive)
5. An interview was granted to the reporter by Nirad. (into active)
6. Students were not granted permission to visit the factory. (into active)

Drill – 9

Passive with preposition

Part A

ACTIVE

1. Nobody listened to Serena.
2. They always refer to Gandhi as a great leader.
3. You must write down all new ideas.
4. Nobody spoke to her.

PASSIVE

1. Serena was not listened to
2. Gandhi is always referred to as a great leader.
3. All new ideas must be written down.
4. She was not spoken to.

Part B

Please write

Change the following sentences as directed.

1. The stranger was not taken in. (into active)
2. The ethnic war is being talked about. (into active)
3. My mother looks after my children. (into passive)
4. The police are looking for the smuggler. (into passive)
5. Teachers take care of children in school. (into passive)
6. Portia takes care of marketing and publicity. (into passive)
7. A football team is made up among the inmates of the hostel.(into active)
8. The meeting has been put off for one week.(into active)

Drill – 10

Imperatives

Part A

Please read

Active

1. Shut the door.
2. Grant them permission
3. Support the old.
4. May the Lord bless every moment.

Passive equivalent

1. Let the door be shut.
2. Permission may be granted to them.
3. Let the old be supported.
4. May every moment be blessed by the Lord?

Part B

Please write

Restate the following sentences as directed

1. Send the girl out. (into passive)
2. May every room of your new house be filled with love, peace, and joy (into active)
3. Send Anita a birthday card. (into passive)
4. May the good Lord bless all our children (into active)
5. Let the children be seated in front of their parents. (into active)
6. Turn off the TV. (Into passive)
7. Let the lights be turned on.(into active)
8. Clean all the windows. (into passive)
9. Let the cake be sliced and distributed to the children.(into active)
10. Let the guests be given a warm reception. (into active)