We make the passive verb forms with past participles. Before the past participle, we also put one or two primary auxiliary verbs.

The object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb. Because of this reason, intransitive verbs cannot be used in the passive voice because they do not have objects.

How to form the passive voice?

In the simple present tense, we make the passive verb form by putting is /am / are before the past participle form of the verb.

Use is when the subject of the passive verb is a singular noun or pronoun.

• This table is made of synthetic wood.
• That child is taught at home.
• He is survived by his wife and children.

Use are when the subject of the passive verb is a plural noun or pronoun.

• Houses are built my masons.
• The children are encouraged to work harder.

Use am when the subject of the passive verb is the first person singular pronoun I.

• I am told to leave.

Present continuous tense

In the present continuous tense, we make the passive verb form by putting is / am / are + being before the past participle form of the verb.

• He is writing a story. (Active voice)
• A story is being written by him. (Passive voice)
• The children are playing football. (Active voice)
• Football is being played by children. (Passive voice)
• They are criticizing me. (Active voice)
• I am being criticized by them. (Passive voice)

Present perfect tense

In the present perfect tense, we make the passive verb form by putting has / have + been before the past participle form of the verb.

• I have finished the job. (Active voice)
• The job has been finished by me. (Passive voice)
• The cat has eaten the fish. (Active voice)
• The fish has been eaten by the cat. (Passive voice)
• I have informed them. (Active voice)
• They have been informed by me. (Passive voice)

Simple past tense

In the simple past tense we make the passive verb form by putting was / were before the past participle form of the verb. Use was when the subject is a singular noun or pronoun. Use were when the subject is a plural noun or pronoun. Use was when the subject is I.

• I drew a cartoon. (Active voice)
• A cartoon was drawn by me. (Passive voice)
• They criticized the minister. (Active voice)
• The minister was criticized by them. (Passive voice)
• I fed the cats. (Active voice)
• The cats were fed by me. (Passive voice)

Past continuous tense

In the past continuous tense, we make the passive verb form by putting was / were + being before the past participle form of the verb.

• They were repairing the roof. (Active voice)
• The roof was being repaired by them. (Passive voice)
• The police were questioning the suspects. (Active voice)
• The suspects were being questioned by the police. (Passive voice)

Past perfect tense

In the past perfect tense, we make the passive verb form by putting had + been before the past participle form of the verb.

• The victim had identified the attacker. (Active voice)
• The attacker had been identified by the victim. (Passive voice)
• The chief guest had distributed the prizes. (Active voice)
• The prizes had been distributed by the chief guest. (Passive voice)

Simple future tense

In the simple future tense, we make passive verb forms by putting will + be before the past participle form of the verb.

• She will win the first prize. (Active voice)
• The first prize will be won by her. (Passive voice)
• The cat will catch the mouse. (Active voice)
• The mouse will be caught by the cat. (Passive voice)

Future perfect tense

In the future perfect tense, we make the passive verb form by putting will + have + been before the past participle form of the verb.

• They will have written the exam. (Active voice)
• The exam will have been written by them. (Passive voice)
• The police will have arrested the thieves. (Active voice)
• The thieves will have been arrested by the police. (Passive voice)

Worksheet

Rewrite the following sentences by changing the active sentences to passive and passive sentences to active.

1. I have informed the police.

2. She is being blamed by them.

3. Who taught you Sanskrit?

4. Have you learned your lesson?

5. The teacher admonished the child for misbehaving in the class.

6. They gave a beautiful presentation.

7. His confidence impressed me.

8. We were shocked to hear the news of his demise.

9. The court acquitted him.

10. He will have learned his lesson.

Answers

1. The police have been informed by me. (Passive voice)

2. They are blaming her. (Active voice)

3. By whom were you taught Sanskrit? (Passive voice)

4. Has your lesson been learned by you? (Passive voice)

5. The child was admonished for misbehaving in the class. (Passive voice)

6. A beautiful presentation was given by them. (Passive voice)

7. I was impressed by his confidence. (Passive voice)

8. The news of his demise shocked us. (Active voice)

9. He was acquitted by the court. (Passive voice)

10. His lesson will have been learned by him. (Passive voice)