Active vs Passive Voice: Rules, Differences & How to Change
Quick answer:Active voice = subject performs action (Subject + Verb + Object). Passive voice = subject receives action (Object + “to be” + past participle + by + doer). Example: “The chef cooked dinner” (active) vs “Dinner was cooked by the chef” (passive). This guide covers definitions, transformation rules for all tenses, examples, and when to use each voice.
📅 February 15, 2026⏱️ 10 min read✍️ Mangesh Belekar
What Is Voice in English Grammar?
📌 DEFINITION
Voice (or diathesis) shows whether the subject of a sentence performs or receives the action. Subject → Verb → Object relationship determines voice. Example: The cat ate the mouse (subject = cat = doer). Voice gives flexibility to emphasize either the doer or the receiver.
What Is Active Voice?
In active voice, the subject performs the action. Structure: Subject + Verb + Object. Active voice is direct, clear, and dynamic.
✦ Examples
The dog chases the ball. | Amit plays football. | The scientist discovered a new element.
What Is Passive Voice?
In passive voice, the subject receives the action. Structure: Object (now subject) + form of “to be” + past participle + (by + doer). Focus shifts to the receiver.
✦ Examples
The ball is chased by the dog. | Football is played by Amit. | A new element was discovered by the scientist.
Active vs. Passive Voice: Key Differences
Aspect
Active Voice
Passive Voice
Structure
Subject + Verb + Object
Object + “to be” + Past Participle (+ by Subject)
Focus
Doer of the action
Receiver of the action
Tone
Clear, direct, strong
Formal, neutral, or objective
Example
The dog chased the ball.
The ball was chased by the dog.
When to Use Active vs. Passive Voice
✅ Use Active Voice When:
You want clarity and engagement. The doer is important. Business, everyday, and most academic writing.
✅ Use Passive Voice When:
Doer is unknown/irrelevant: The window was broken. Focus on result/process: The solution was heated. Formal or scientific tone: Mistakes were made. Tactful communication: The deadline was missed.
How to Change Passive Voice to Active Voice
🔧 Step-by-Step
1. Identify the verb (form of “to be” + past participle) and the receiver. 2. Find the doer in the “by…” phrase. 3. Make the doer the new subject. 4. Use the correct active verb tense. 5. Move the receiver to object position.
Example: Passive: The cake was baked by Maria. → Active: Maria baked the cake. Passive: The report was completed yesterday. → Active: Someone completed the report yesterday.
How to Change Active Voice to Passive Voice
🔧 Step-by-Step
1. Move the object to subject position. 2. Use the correct form of “to be” + past participle (match tense). 3. Add “by + doer” if necessary. 4. Check subject-verb agreement.
Example: Active: The teacher explains the lesson. → Passive: The lesson is explained by the teacher. Active: They built the bridge in 2010. → Passive: The bridge was built in 2010.
Active and Passive Voice Examples by Tense
Tense
Active Voice
Passive Voice
Present Simple
The baker sells bread.
Bread is sold by the baker.
Present Continuous
Latha is learning French.
French is being learnt by Latha.
Past Simple
They built a bridge.
A bridge was built by them.
Past Perfect
Becky had packed the bags.
The bags had been packed by Becky.
Future Simple
He will finish the project.
The project will be finished by him.
Modal Verbs
The company can solve the problem.
The problem can be solved by the company.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between active and passive voice?
Active voice: subject does the action (Subject+Verb+Object). Passive voice: subject receives the action (Object+to be+past participle+by+doer). Example: Active “The chef cooked dinner” vs Passive “Dinner was cooked by the chef.”
When should I use passive voice?
Use passive when the doer is unknown/unimportant (“The window was broken”), to emphasize the action/result (“The experiment was conducted”), for formal/tactful tone (“Mistakes were made”), or in scientific writing.
How do I change passive to active voice?
Find the doer in “by…” phrase, make it the subject, change verb to active form, move receiver to object. Example: “The ball was kicked by Riya” → “Riya kicked the ball.”
Is passive voice always wrong?
No. Passive voice is useful and correct when the doer is unknown, less important, or when you want to focus on the result. However, active voice is usually clearer and more direct.
What is the structure of passive voice?
Subject (receiver) + appropriate form of “to be” + past participle + (by + doer). Example: “The letter was written by Sam.”
Master English Grammar — Write & Speak Confidently
Join Belekar Sir’s Academy for expert-led courses on active/passive voice, tenses, and advanced writing skills.
Belekar Sir is the founder and lead instructor at Belekar Sir’s Academy, a trusted name in English language education. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has helped thousands of students—from beginners to advanced learners—develop fluency, confidence, and real-world communication skills. Known for his practical teaching style and deep understanding of learner needs, Belekar Sir is passionate about making English accessible and empowering for everyone. When he’s not teaching, he’s creating resources and guides to support learners on their journey to mastering spoken English.
