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English Class 10 - Voices Notes

Comprehensive study notes for Class 10 - Voices olympiad preparation

Voices (Active and Passive)

Welcome to the chapter on Voices (Active and Passive) for Class 10. In this chapter, you will learn what active and passive voice are, how to change sentences from active to passive, and why we use different voices in English. By the end of this chapter, you will be able to identify and use both voices correctly in your writing!

Introduction

In English, sentences can be written in two voices: active and passive. The voice of a sentence shows whether the subject does the action or receives it.

Active Voice

In active voice, the subject of the sentence does the action.

  • Example: The teacher explains the lesson.
  • Example: She writes a letter.

Passive Voice

In passive voice, the subject receives the action. The focus is on the action or the receiver of the action.

  • Example: The lesson is explained by the teacher.
  • Example: A letter is written by her.

How to Change Active to Passive

  • Move the object of the active sentence to the subject position.
  • Use the correct form of the verb "to be" + past participle of the main verb.
  • Add "by" + the original subject (optional if the doer is not important).

Active: The chef cooks the food.
Passive: The food is cooked by the chef.

When to Use Passive Voice

  • When the doer is unknown or not important.
  • When you want to focus on the action or the receiver.
  • In scientific or formal writing.

Practice Questions

  1. Change to passive: The students read the book.
  2. Change to active: The song was sung by Riya.
  3. Change to passive: He will finish the work.
  4. Change to active: The homework is done by the child.
  5. Change to passive: They are playing football.

Challenge Yourself

  • Write five sentences in active voice and change them to passive voice.
  • Find examples of passive voice in your English textbook.

Did You Know?

  • Passive voice is often used in news reports and scientific writing.
  • Not all sentences can be changed to passive voice (intransitive verbs cannot be made passive).

Glossary

  • Active Voice: The subject does the action.
  • Passive Voice: The subject receives the action.
  • Object: The person or thing that receives the action.
  • Past Participle: The third form of the verb (e.g., written, eaten, done).

Answers to Practice Questions

  1. The book is read by the students.
  2. Riya sang the song.
  3. The work will be finished by him.
  4. The child does the homework.
  5. Football is being played by them.

Practice changing sentences between active and passive voice to improve your English writing!

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