Active and Passive Voice Without By: Exercise Worksheet

Let us learn active and passive voice without by with the help of rules, exercises, and worksheets which will help to understand and develop concepts. In English grammar, the voice of a verb shows the connection between the subject and the action of the sentence. There are two main voices: active and passive.

While the passive voice often includes the preposition “by” to indicate the doer of the action, it’s not always necessary. This lesson will focus on active and passive voice constructions without the “by” phrase.

Active Voice Without “By”

1. Definition: In the active voice sentence, the subject does the action.
2. Structure: Subject + Verb + Object
3. Example:
   • The students wrote the essays. (Students are doing the action of writing)

Passive Voice Without “By”

• Definition: In the passive voice, the subject receives the action. The doer of the action is often omitted or unknown.
• Structure: Subject + Be verb (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) + Past Participle
• Examples:
  • The essays were written. (Focus is on the essays, not who wrote them)
  • The meeting will be held tomorrow. (No need to mention who will hold it)

Rules for Passive Voice without “By”

• Use the passive voice when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or obvious.
• Use the passive voice to put emphasis on the receiver of the action.
• Use the passive voice to create a more formal or impersonal style.

When to Use Active or Passive Voice

• Use active voice: When you want to emphasize the doer of the action, when the sentence is more direct and concise, and when the focus is on the subject.
• Use passive voice: When you want to emphasize the receiver of the action, when the doer is unknown or unimportant, when you want to create a formal or impersonal style, and when the focus is on the action itself.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify the voice (active or passive) of the following sentences:

1. The report was submitted on time.
2. The students are writing the exams.
3. The flowers have been watered.
4. The cake was delicious.
5. The children played in the park.

Exercise 2: Change the following sentences from active to passive voice without using “by”:

1. The teacher explained the lesson.
2. They cancelled the match.
3. Someone stole my wallet.
4. The workers are building the house.
5. We will finish the project next week.

Exercise 3: Change the following sentences from passive voice to active voice by following the rules:

1. The book was read by many students.
2. The dinner will be served at 7 pm.
3. The car was repaired yesterday.
4. The letter has been sent.
5. The problem will be solved soon.

Additional Tips

• While it’s possible to form passive sentences without “by,” it’s essential to use them appropriately to maintain clarity and effectiveness in writing.
• Overuse of the passive voice can make your writing dull and indirect.
• Practice using both active and passive voices to improve your writing style.

By understanding the nuances of active and passive voice without “by,” you can enhance your writing skills and communicate your ideas more effectively.

Active and Passive Voice Without By Worksheet:

Section A: Identify the Voice

Recognize whether the following sentences are in the active voice or passive voice:

1. The letter was sent yesterday.
2. The students are writing essays.
3. The cake tastes delicious.
4. The meeting will be held tomorrow.
5. The children played happily in the park.

Section B: Change to Passive Voice

Change the following sentences from active to passive voice without using “by”:

1. The teacher explained the lesson clearly.
2. They cancelled the match due to rain.
3. Someone stole my phone.
4. The workers are building a new bridge.
5. We will finish the project by next week.

Section C: Change to Active Voice

Change the following sentences from passive voice to active voice:

1. The book was returned to the library.
2. The dinner will be served at 7 pm.
3. The car was repaired by the mechanic.
4. The letter has been posted.
5. The problem will be solved soon.

Section D: Choose the Correct Voice

Choose the correct voice (active or passive) to complete the following sentences:

1. The report _____________ (submit/was submitted) on time.
2. The flowers _____________ (watered/were watered) daily.
3. The pizza _____________ (delivered/was delivered) hot.
4. The students _____________ (are studying/are being studied) hard.
5. The movie _____________ (enjoyed/was enjoyed) by everyone.

Section E: Create Your Own Sentences

Write two sentences in the active voice and two sentences in the passive voice without using “by”.

• Active Voice: * *
• Passive Voice: * *

Remember:

• Active voice emphasizes the doer of the action.
• Passive voice pays the attention to the receiver of the action.
• The passive voice often ignores the doer of the action.
• here are the answer keys for the worksheet:
• Answer Key: