PASSIVE OF VERBS CONTAINING TWO OBJECTS
If a verb in the active voice has two objects, either of them can be retained in the passive.
Active Voice | Passive Voice |
1. Kulwant gave me a book. | I was given a book by Kulwant. |
2. Father bought me a cycle. | I was bought a cycle by father. |
PASSIVE VOICE OF SENTENCES CONTAINING PREPOSITIONS
In some sentences, there is a preposition after the verb. It will be kept with the verb while changing the sentences into passive.
Active Voice | Passive Voice |
1. He was looking at the picture. | The picture was being looked at by him. |
2. He spoke to me. | I was spoken to by him. |
3. He acted upon my advice. | My advice was acted upon by him. |
PASSIVE OF VERBS WITH OBJECT AND OBJECT COMPLEMENT
When a verb has both an object and an object complement, only the object is made the subject. The object complement comes after the III form of the verb and before “by + subject”.
Active Voice | Passive Voice |
1. They elected him President. | He was elected President by them. |
2. The teacher made Mohan monitor. | Mohan was made monitor by the teacher. |
PASSIVE OF INFINITIVES
(a) For changing the infinitive into passive, this form is used: to be + III form of the verb.
(b) For the sentences which begin with it is time to “, the form is: is time + for + object + to be + Ill form of the verb”.
Active Voice | Passive Voice |
1. You will have to do it. | It will have to be done by you. |
2. I want to buy a car. | I want a car to be bought (by one |
3. It is time to take a cup of tea. | It is time for a cup of tea to be taken. |
4. It is time to say prayers | It is time for prayers to be said. |
Use of ‘vague’ subject”
People/they say/believe assume” is changed into:
It is believed/said/assumed, etc.
Active Voice | Passive Voice |
1. People say that the earth is round. | It is said that the earth is round. |
2. They believe Mohan is the best is the best doctor in the town. | It is believed that Mohan doctor in the town. |
PASSIVE OF SENTENCES IN WHICH THE AGENT (DOER) IS NOT EXPRESSED
Sometimes in passive sentences, the agent (subject) is not given as it is understood. In such a case, the agent has to be supplied by us.
Passive Voice | Active Voice |
1. The thief has been caught. | The police have caught the thief. |
2. The road was repaired. | The workmen repaired the road. |
Use of prepositions other than “by”
Passive Voice | Active Voice |
1. His work satisfied me. | I was satisfied with his work. |
2. My story interested him. | He was interested in my story. |
3. I know Jhanda Singh. | Jhanda Singh is known to me. |
4. This pot contains milk. | Milk is contained in this post. |
5. That news surprised me. | I was surprised at that news. |
SOME OTHER TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Active Voice | Passive Voice |
1. Rose smells sweet. | Rose is sweet when smelled. |
2. I heard him open the door. | He was heard to open the door. |
3. Sit down. | Be seated. |
4. Women like men to flatter them. | Women like to be flattered by men. |
5. He made me work. | I was made to work. |
6. One must do one’s duty. | Duty must be done. |
7. Your shoes need polishing. | Your shoes need to be polished. |
8. Prepare yourself for the examination. | Be prepared for the examination. |
9. It is your duty to do this work. | You are supposed to do this work. |
10. I hope to win. | It is hoped that I shall win. |
11. Mohan decided to contest the election. | was decided to by Mohan contest the election. |
12. He does not like people laughing at him. | He does not like being laughed at. |