Candidates preparing for Government Teaching Exams must have a solid grip on the English Language. They should read about various aspects of English Grammar to be able to answer questions in the Teaching Job Exam effectively. One such important topic from English Grammar is Active Voice and Passive Voice.
As 1-2 questions are commonly found in the question papers of the Government Teaching Exams, it is of paramount importance for aspirants to learn about the active voice and passive voice in depth to be able to answer the questions in the exam and be able to effectively communicate their ideas in various walks of life. In the following article, the candidates will find detailed information on Active and Passive Voice Rules in English Grammar.
What is Active Voice in English Grammar?
Active voice is a grammatical construction in English where the subject of a sentence performs the action stated by the verb. In other words, the subject is the doer of the action. Sentences in the active voice typically follow a subject-verb-object (SVO) word order.
Here’s an example of a sentence in the active voice:
“The cat chased the mouse.”
In this sentence, “the cat” is the subject, “chased” is the verb, and “the mouse” is the object. The subject “the cat” is performing the action of chasing.
Active voice is often preferred in English writing because it generally makes the sentence more direct, clear, and concise. It focuses on the doer of the action and is usually easier to understand than the passive voice.
Examples of Active Voice
In each of these examples below, the subject of the sentence is clearly performing the action stated by the verb. The active voice allows for direct and straightforward communication of the doer of the action.
- “I painted a beautiful picture.”
- “They are organizing a charity event.”
- “The dog chased the ball.”
- “She wrote an inspiring novel.”
- “He fixed the broken computer.”
- “We planted flowers in the garden.”
- “The teacher explained the lesson.”
- “They built a new bridge.”
- “She cooked a delicious meal.”
- “He repaired the car engine.”
What is Passive Voice in English Grammar?
Passive voice is a grammatical construction in English where the subject of a sentence undergoes the action stated by the verb rather than performing it. In passive-voice sentences, the emphasis is on the receiver or the affected entity rather than the doer of the action. Sentences in the passive voice typically follow an object-verb-subject (OVS) word order or use a form of the auxiliary verb “to be” followed by the past participle of the main verb.
Here’s an example of the same sentence in the passive voice:
“The mouse was chased by the cat.”
In this sentence, “the mouse” is the subject, “was chased” is the verb phrase, and “by the cat” is a prepositional phrase indicating the doer of the action. The subject “the mouse” is receiving the action rather than performing it.
Examples of Passive Voice
In each of these passive voice examples given below, the subject of the active voice sentence becomes the object in the passive voice construction, and the verb is changed to a passive form (e.g., “painted” becomes “was painted”). The doer of the action in the active voice is introduced with the preposition “by” in the passive voice sentence.
- “A beautiful picture was painted by me.”
- “A charity event is being organized by them.”
- “The ball was chased by the dog.”
- “An inspiring novel was written by her.”
- “The broken computer was fixed by him.”
- “Flowers were planted in the garden by us.”
- “The lesson was explained by the teacher.”
- “A new bridge was built by them.”
- “A delicious meal was cooked by her.”
- “The car engine was repaired by him.”
Active and Passive Voice Rules in English Grammar
There are some simple yet significant rules and guidelines to keep in mind while using active and passive voice in any sentence. Here are some key rules and guidelines for using active and passive voice in English grammar.
Active Voice
- In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action stated by the verb.
- The basic sentence structure for active voice is subject-verb-object (SVO).
- Active voice is usually more direct, clear, and concise.
- Active voice is commonly used in most types of writing unless there is a specific reason to use passive voice.
Passive Voice
- In passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it.
- The basic sentence structure for passive voice is object-verb-subject (OVS) or a form of “to be” followed by the past participle of the main verb.
- Passive voice is often used when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or intentionally omitted.
- Passive voice is used to emphasize the receiver or the affected entity.
- Passive voice can be wordier and less direct than active voice.
- Passive voice is commonly used in scientific, technical, or formal writing, as well as when the focus is on the result rather than the doer of the action.
Tips for Choosing Active or Passive Voice
- Consider the clarity and directness of your sentence. Active voice is generally more straightforward and easier to understand.
- Determine whether the doer of the action is known, relevant, and should be emphasized. If so, active voice is usually more appropriate.
- Consider the tone and style of your writing. Active voice tends to be more engaging and dynamic, while passive voice can be more formal or impersonal.
- Use passive voice when the receiver or the affected entity is more important or deserves more attention.
- Use passive voice when you want to shift the focus from the doer to the action or the result of the action.
Remember, both active and passive voice have their uses, and the choice between them depends on the specific context, purpose, and desired emphasis of your writing.
When to Use Active Voice
Active voice is generally preferred over passive voice because it is more concise and direct. Active voice sentences are also easier to read and understand.
When to Use Passive Voice
Passive voice can be used in the following situations:
- To emphasize the object of the sentence.
- To avoid mentioning the subject of the sentence.
- To make the writing more formal
Active and Passive Voice Rules Notes PDF
Here is the Active and Passive Voice Rules Notes PDF for the candidates preparing for the upcoming government teaching exams. The Active and Passive Voice Rules Notes PDF will help them prepare better for these tough national or state-level competitive exams.
Active and Passive Voice Rules Notes PDF
Conclusion
A strong command of the English language is essential for candidates preparing for Government Teaching Exams, enabling effective communication and success in these competitive assessments. Among the crucial components of English grammar, Active Voice and Passive Voice hold particular significance. Given that these topics frequently appear in Government Teaching Exam question papers, a comprehensive understanding of these grammatical structures becomes paramount for aspirants.
The ability to differentiate between active and passive constructions equips candidates not only to tackle exam questions but also to express their ideas adeptly across various domains. As outlined in this article, grasping the rules of Active and Passive Voice empowers candidates to navigate English grammar proficiently, contributing to their overall proficiency in language and communication skills.
