Page 3 - Notes and MindMap

What is Voice of a verb?

The voice of a verb expresses whether the subject in the sentence has performed or received the
action.
Example:

 The watchman opens the door.
 The door is opened by the watchman.

Types of Voices of Verb

Verbs have two voices (i) Active Voice (ii) Passive Voice
Active Voice – When an action performed by the subject is expressed by the verb, it is an active
voice. Active voice is used when more straightforward relation and clarity is required between the
subject and the verb.

Active Voice example:

 Hens lay eggs.
 Birds build nests.

Passive Voice – When the action expressed by the verb is received by the subject, it is passive voice.
Passive voice is used when the doer of the action is not known and the focus of the sentence is on the
action and not the subject.

Passive Voice Examples:
 Eggs are laid by hens.
 Nests are built by birds.
Rules of Conversion from Active to Passive Voice:

1. Identify the subject, the verb and the object: S+V+O

2. Change the object into subject
3. Put the suitable helping verb or auxiliary verb

4. Change the verb into past participle of the verb

5. Add the preposition "by“
6. Change the subject into object
Conversion of Active and Passive voice examples