Active Passive Voice for Class 6

/ Active and Passive Voice / By

Understanding the concepts of active passive voice for class 6 is crucial for mastering English grammar. This guide will walk you through the basics, the rules, and the applications of active and passive voice, ensuring you gain a solid foundation in this important aspect of language.

What is Active Voice?

In active voice, the subject of the sentence does the action stated by the verb. It is the most straightforward and direct way to construct sentences, making the writing clear and concise.

Example:

  • Active Voice: The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse (object).

In this sentence, “the cat” is the subject doing the action of chasing, and “the mouse” is the object receiving the action.

What is Passive Voice?

In passive voice, the subject gets the action of the verb. The focus shifts from who is performing the action to who is receiving it. Passive sentences often include a form of the verb “to be” followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Example:

  • Passive Voice: The mouse (subject) was chased (verb) by the cat (agent).

Here, “the mouse” becomes the subject that receives the action, and “the cat” is mentioned later, introduced by the word “by.”

When to Use Active and Passive Voice

Active Voice:

  • When clarity is important: Active voice is usually clearer and more direct.
  • When the doer of the action is important: If the subject performing the action needs to be highlighted, use active voice.

Passive Voice:

  • When the action is more important than the doer: If the focus should be on the action itself rather than who performed it, passive voice is useful.
  • When the doer is unknown or irrelevant: If the person doing the action is unknown or not important, passive voice is appropriate.

Rules for Converting Active Voice to Passive Voice

Converting sentences from active to passive voice involves several steps. Here is a simple step-by-step process:

  1. Identify the Subject, Verb, and Object: Determine these three components in the active sentence.
  2. Move the Object to the Subject Position: The object of the active sentence changes into the subject of the passive sentence.
  3. Change the Verb: Use the appropriate form of the verb “to be” followed by the past participle of the main verb.
  4. Move the Subject to the Object Position (Optional): Introduce the subject of the active sentence with the word “by,” and place it after the verb in the passive sentence.

Example:

  • Active Voice: The teacher (subject) teaches (verb) the students (object).
  • Step 1: Identify the components.
  • Step 2: The students (object) move to the subject position.
  • Step 3: Add the verb “to be” in the correct tense and the past participle of “teach” (taught).
  • Step 4: Add “by the teacher”.
  • Passive Voice: The students are taught by the teacher.

Tense Changes in Passive Voice

When changing tenses in passive voice, the form of the verb “to be” changes according to the tense of the main verb in the active sentence. Here is a quick reference:

Present Simple:

  • Active: She writes a letter to her friend.
  • Passive: A letter is written by her to her friend.

Past Simple:

  • Active: She wrote a letter.
  • Passive: A letter was written by her.

Future Simple:

  • Active: She will write a letter to her friend.
  • Passive: A letter will be written by her to her friend.

Present Continuous:

  • Active: She is writing a letter to her friend.
  • Passive: A letter is being written by her to her friend.

Past Continuous:

  • Active: She was writing a promotion letter.
  • Passive: A promotion letter was being written by her.

Present Perfect:

  • Active: She has written a long story.
  • Passive: A long story has been written by her.

Past Perfect:

  • Active: She had written a letter.
  • Passive: A letter had been written by her.

Future Perfect:

  • Active: She will have written an interesting story.
  • Passive: A an interesting story will have been written by her.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Convert Active to Passive Voice

  1. The gardener waters the plants.
  2. The chef is preparing the meal.
  3. The students will complete the project.
  4. The scientist discovered a new element.
  5. The mechanic has repaired the car.

Answers:

  1. The plants are watered by the gardener.
  2. The meal is being prepared by the chef.
  3. The project will be completed by the students.
  4. A new element was discovered by the scientist.
  5. The car has been repaired by the mechanic.

Exercise 2: Identify Active and Passive Voice

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

  1. The book was read by the whole class.
  2. The singer performed the song beautifully.
  3. The windows are cleaned every week.
  4. The cat chased the mouse.
  5. The homework is being done by the student.

Answers:

  1. Passive
  2. Active
  3. Passive
  4. Active
  5. Passive

Common Mistakes and Tips

  1. Using Passive Voice Unnecessarily: While passive voice has its place, overusing it can make your writing seem vague and weak. Prefer active voice when clarity and directness are needed.
  2. Forgetting to Change the Verb Form: Ensure you use the correct form of “to be” and the past participle of the main verb.
  3. Misplacing the Agent: Remember that in passive sentences, the agent (the doer of the action) is introduced with “by” and follows the verb.

Tip:

When unsure whether to use active or passive voice, ask yourself what the focus of the sentence is. If the action and its effect are more important than who did it, passive voice might be appropriate. Otherwise, stick with active voice for clear and engaging writing.

Conclusion

By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you can improve your grammar skills and enhance your writing. Remember to use active voice for clarity and passive voice when the action’s recipient is more important than the doer.

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