Learning English grammar is not merely about memorizing rules; it is about understanding how words, actions, and meanings connect to express thoughts clearly. Among the most essential grammatical topics in any English Speaking Course, Active Voice and Passive Voice stand as the pillars of clarity and precision. These structures help speakers and writers emphasize different parts of a sentence, making communication more effective and sophisticated.
This comprehensive guide explores the Active Voice, Passive Voice, their rules, charts, examples, and Hindi meanings. By mastering these, learners can significantly improve their English fluency and writing proficiency.
Understanding Voice in English Grammar
In English, “Voice” refers to the form of a verb that shows whether the subject performs or receives the action.
- When the subject performs the action — it is the Active Voice.
- When the subject receives the action — it is the Passive Voice.
In Hindi,
- Active Voice means – “कर्तृवाच्य वाक्य” (Jismein Karta Kaam Karta Hai)
- Passive Voice means – “कर्मवाच्य वाक्य” (Jismein Karta Par Kaam Hota Hai)
Understanding this distinction is fundamental in any English Speaking Course, as it helps learners identify focus and tone in both speech and writing.
Difference Between Active Voice and Passive Voice
| Aspect | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The subject does the action. | The subject receives the action. |
| Example | Ram eats an apple. | An apple is eaten by Ram. |
| Hindi Meaning | राम सेब खाता है। | सेब राम द्वारा खाया जाता है। |
| Structure | Subject + Verb + Object | Object + Auxiliary Verb + Past Participle + by + Subject |
| Usage | Direct, clear, and energetic sentences | Formal, polite, and objective tone |
In the Active Voice, the sentence sounds more natural and conversational, whereas the Passive Voice is often used when the doer is unknown or unimportant.
Why Learn Active and Passive Voice in an English Speaking Course
An English Speaking Course emphasizes both voices because they enhance expression. Speaking or writing in different contexts demands flexibility. For instance:
- Active Voice is useful for assertive, engaging, and confident communication.
- Passive Voice is ideal for formal, scientific, or diplomatic statements.
Consider the following examples:
- Active Voice: The teacher praised the student.
- Hindi Meaning: शिक्षक ने विद्यार्थी की प्रशंसा की।
- Passive Voice: The student was praised by the teacher.
- Hindi Meaning: विद्यार्थी की शिक्षक द्वारा प्रशंसा की गई।
Both sentences convey the same meaning, but the focus shifts. The Active Voice highlights the doer (teacher), while the Passive Voice emphasizes the receiver (student).
Rules of Active Voice
To form a correct Active Voice sentence, keep these basic structures in mind:
- Subject + Verb + Object
- Example: She reads a book.
- Hindi: वह किताब पढ़ती है।
- Tense Consistency – The verb should match the tense.
- Present: He plays cricket.
- Past: He played cricket.
- Future: He will play cricket.
- Use of Direct Form of Verb – The main verb stays in its active form.
- Example: The chef cooks delicious food.
- No Auxiliary Needed (in most tenses) – Except for continuous and perfect tenses.
These rules help learners form clear and concise sentences — a vital skill in any English Speaking Course.
Rules of Passive Voice
To convert Active Voice to Passive Voice, follow these steps:
- Identify the Object in the Active Sentence
- Example: Ram eats an apple.
- Object: an apple
- Example: Ram eats an apple.
- Make the Object the Subject
- Passive: An apple is eaten by Ram.
- Use the Correct Form of “To Be” + Past Participle
- “is, am, are, was, were, been, being”
- Add “by” Before the Original Subject
- Example: The letter was written by Riya.
- Tense Should Remain the Same
- Active: She is cleaning the room.
- Passive: The room is being cleaned by her.
Chart of Tense Conversion (Active to Passive Voice)
| Tense | Active Voice Example | Passive Voice Example | Hindi Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | He writes a letter. | A letter is written by him. | एक पत्र उसके द्वारा लिखा जाता है। |
| Present Continuous | She is reading a book. | A book is being read by her. | एक किताब उसके द्वारा पढ़ी जा रही है। |
| Present Perfect | They have completed the work. | The work has been completed by them. | कार्य उनके द्वारा पूरा किया गया है। |
| Simple Past | He cleaned the room. | The room was cleaned by him. | कमरा उसके द्वारा साफ किया गया। |
| Past Continuous | She was cooking food. | Food was being cooked by her. | भोजन उसके द्वारा पकाया जा रहा था। |
| Past Perfect | They had done the job. | The job had been done by them. | काम उनके द्वारा किया गया था। |
| Simple Future | He will write a book. | A book will be written by him. | एक किताब उसके द्वारा लिखी जाएगी। |
| Future Perfect | She will have finished the work. | The work will have been finished by her. | कार्य उसके द्वारा समाप्त किया जा चुका होगा। |
This chart serves as a concise summary for learners in an English Speaking Course, enabling easy transformation of sentences between both voices.
When to Use Active Voice
- To Emphasize the Doer
- Example: The manager approved the plan.
- Hindi: प्रबंधक ने योजना को स्वीकृत किया।
- To Create a Strong and Clear Sentence
- Example: The students wrote the answers quickly.
- In Conversation or Informal Writing
- Example: I called him yesterday.
The Active Voice helps maintain a dynamic and engaging tone, essential for fluent speaking practice in an English Speaking Course.
When to Use Passive Voice
- When the Doer Is Unknown
- Example: The window was broken. (We don’t know who did it.)
- When the Doer Is Unimportant
- Example: The road was repaired last week.
- To Show Formality or Politeness
- Example: The proposal has been accepted.
- In Scientific or Official Writing
- Example: The experiment was conducted successfully.
The Passive Voice lends an air of formality, objectivity, and professionalism — vital in reports, academic writing, and business communication.
Conversion Techniques
Let’s look at a step-by-step method to change Active Voice into Passive Voice with Hindi meaning:
Step 1: Identify Subject, Verb, and Object
- Example: Rohan plays football.
- Subject: Rohan
- Verb: plays
- Object: football
Step 2: Move the Object to the Beginning
- Football is played by Rohan.
Step 3: Use a Proper Auxiliary Verb
- Use “is, am, are” according to tense and subject.
Step 4: Keep Tense Consistent
- The tense of the sentence should not change.
Step 5: Add ‘by’ Before the Door
- Passive: Football is played by Rohan.
- Hindi Meaning: फुटबॉल रोहन द्वारा खेला जाता है।
Through this method, learners in an English Speaking Course can confidently construct both forms of sentences.
Active and Passive Voice Examples with Hindi Meaning
| Active Voice | Passive Voice | Hindi Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| The boy kicks the ball. | The ball is kicked by the boy. | गेंद लड़के द्वारा मारी जाती है। |
| She sings a song. | A song is sung by her. | एक गीत उसके द्वारा गाया जाता है। |
| They built a bridge. | A bridge was built by them. | पुल उनके द्वारा बनाया गया। |
| I am writing a letter. | A letter is being written by me. | एक पत्र मेरे द्वारा लिखा जा रहा है। |
| He will open the door. | The door will be opened by him. | दरवाज़ा उसके द्वारा खोला जाएगा। |
| The teacher teaches English. | English is taught by the teacher. | अंग्रेज़ी शिक्षक द्वारा पढ़ाई जाती है। |
| She has cooked dinner. | Dinner has been cooked by her. | रात का खाना उसके द्वारा पकाया गया है। |
| The company launched a new product. | A new product was launched by the company. | एक नया उत्पाद कंपनी द्वारा लॉन्च किया गया। |
Common Mistakes While Using Passive Voice
Even advanced learners make errors when shifting from Active Voice to Passive Voice. Here are some common pitfalls:
- Changing the Tense Incorrectly
- ❌ Wrong: The song was sing by her.
- ✅ Correct: The song was sung by her.
- Omitting the Auxiliary Verb
- ❌ Wrong: The work completed by them.
- ✅ Correct: The work was completed by them.
- Using the Wrong Preposition
- Always use “by” for the doer.
- Applying Passive Voice Unnecessarily
- Excessive use can make writing dull or complex.
A good English Speaking Course always trains students to maintain balance — using the Active Voice for clarity and the Passive Voice for emphasis or formality.
How to Practice Active and Passive Voice in an English Speaking Course
- Daily Sentence Transformations
- Take 5 sentences in Active Voice and convert them to Passive Voice.
- Speaking Exercises
- Describe a situation in both voices to understand tone differences.
- Active: I cleaned the room yesterday.
- Passive: The room was cleaned yesterday.
- Describe a situation in both voices to understand tone differences.
- Reading English Newspapers
- Observe how headlines often use Passive Voice for emphasis.
- Listening to Speeches and News
- Notice how professional speakers switch between both forms smoothly.
- Role-Play Activities
- Practice formal dialogues using Passive Voice and informal ones using Active Voice.
Through consistent practice, learners gain confidence and fluency — key goals of any well-structured English Speaking Course.
Tips to Master Active and Passive Voice
- Focus on Verbs – Recognize the main verb and its participle form.
- Understand Sentence Meaning First – Grasp what the sentence conveys before conversion.
- Keep Tense and Object in Mind – Ensure correct auxiliary usage.
- Avoid Overuse of Passive Voice – It can make communication lengthy.
- Listen and Repeat – Mimic sentences used in real-life conversations.
- Use Flashcards – Write Active Voice on one side, Passive Voice on the other.
- Join an English Speaking Course – Structured guidance ensures steady improvement.
Importance of Active and Passive Voice in English Communication
Mastering both voices refines your grammar and expression. It also helps in the following:
- Professional Communication: Writing reports, proposals, and official emails often demands the Passive Voice.
- Public Speaking: Using Active Voice energizes your delivery.
- Academic Writing: The Passive Voice maintains neutrality in research papers.
- Storytelling: The Active Voice makes narration lively and direct.
Thus, both forms serve unique purposes in building articulate and adaptable communication — a central aim of every English Speaking Course.
Short Recap: Key Differences
| Criteria | On the door | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | On the doer | On the receiver |
| Tone | Direct and personal | Indirect and formal |
| Verb Form | Base or direct verb | To be + Past participle |
| Example | The police caught the thief. | The thief was caught by the police. |
Exercises for Practice
Convert into Passive Voice:
- She writes a story.
- The gardener waters the plants.
- He will paint the wall.
- They have completed the project.
- The dog chased the cat.
Convert into Active Voice:
- The letter was written by John.
- The work is being done by the students.
- The movie will be watched by them.
- Dinner has been served by the cook.
- The homework was completed by her.
Try solving these and check your understanding. Regular practice ensures mastery over Active Voice and Passive Voice, both of which are integral parts of a solid English Speaking Course.
