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Read this sentence.
• The parents received the message.
In this sentence, the subject of the sentence performs the action.
When the subject performs the action expressed by the verb, such sentences are said to be in
active voice.
Now, read these sentences.
• The message was received by the parents.
In this sentence, the meaning remains the same but the sequence of the subject and object
changes. The subject is now acted upon by the verb. The focus is on the action.
Sentences in which the subject is acted upon by the verb are said to be in passive voice.
To change a sentence from active voice to passive voice, do the following:
• The object in the sentence in active voice becomes the subject in passive voice. For example,
♦ The President addressed a very large gathering of students.
A very large gathering of students was addressed by the President.
• The preposition by is used before the subject in the sentence in passive voice. For example,
♦ The President addressed a very large gathering of students.
A very large gathering of students was addressed by the President.
• The verb in the sentence in active voice changes into the past participle in passive voice and
a form of helping verb is added to it. For example,
♦ The President addressed a very large gathering of students.
A very large gathering of students was addressed by the President.
Now, change these sentences into the passive voice.
1. Reshma wrote a song.
2. Praveen mailed the letter.
3. The girl sang a song.
4. A monkey snatched her bag.
5. They called off the meeting.
6. The little boy looked after the puppy.
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