Active and Passive Voice in Grammar

Study Notes

In active voice, the subject performs the action described by the verb.
The sentence structure is typically: Subject + Verb + Object
Examples:
- The dog bites the man.
- The teacher writes the lesson plan.
- The company is launching a new product.

In passive voice, the subject receives the action described by the verb.
The sentence structure is typically: Subject + Verb (in a form of "to be") + Past Participle
Examples:
- The man was bitten by the dog.
- The lesson plan was written by the teacher.
- A new product is being launched by the company.

To convert a sentence from active to passive voice:
- Switch the subject and object
- Change the verb to a form of "to be" (e.g. is, was, were)
- Add the past participle of the original verb
Examples:
- Active: The dog bites the man.
  - Passive: The man was bitten by the dog.
- Active: The teacher writes the lesson plan.
  - Passive: The lesson plan was written by the teacher.
To convert a sentence from passive to active voice:
- Switch the subject and object
- Change the verb to its original form
- Remove the past participle
Examples:
- Passive: The man was bitten by the dog.
  - Active: The dog bites the man.
- Passive: The lesson plan was written by the teacher.
  - Active: The teacher writes the lesson plan.

The subject performs the action described by the verb in active voice.
The typical sentence structure is: Subject + Verb + Object.
Examples of active voice sentences:
- The dog bites the man.
- The teacher writes the lesson plan.
- The company is launching a new product.

The subject receives the action described by the verb in passive voice.
The typical sentence structure is: Subject + Verb (in a form of "to be") + Past Participle.
Examples of passive voice sentences:
- The man was bitten by the dog.
- The lesson plan was written by the teacher.
- A new product is being launched by the company.

To convert a sentence from active to passive voice:
- Switch the subject and object.
- Change the verb to a form of "to be" (e.g., is, was, were).
- Add the past participle of the original verb.
Examples of active to passive voice conversion:
- Active: The dog bites the man. → Passive: The man was bitten by the dog.
- Active: The teacher writes the lesson plan. → Passive: The lesson plan was written by the teacher.
To convert a sentence from passive to active voice:
- Switch the subject and object.
- Change the verb to its original form.
- Remove the past participle.
Examples of passive to active voice conversion:
- Passive: The man was bitten by the dog. → Active: The dog bites the man.
- Passive: The lesson plan was written by the teacher. → Active: The teacher writes the lesson plan.