Voices
Welcome to the chapter on Voices for Class 6. In this chapter, you will learn about Active Voice and Passive Voice, how to change sentences from one voice to another, and why voices are important in English grammar. By the end of this chapter, you will be able to identify and use both voices correctly!
Introduction
In English, sentences can be written in two voices: Active Voice and Passive Voice. The voice of a sentence shows whether the subject does the action or receives the action.
Active Voice
In Active Voice, the subject of the sentence does the action.
- Example: Rohan wrote a letter.
- Example: The dog chased the cat.
Passive Voice
In Passive Voice, the subject receives the action. The focus is on the object or the action itself.
- Example: A letter was written by Rohan.
- Example: The cat was chased by the dog.
How to Change Active to Passive Voice
- Move the object of the active sentence to the subject position.
- Use the correct form of the verb "to be" + past participle.
- Add "by" before the original subject (if needed).
Active: The teacher teaches English.
Passive: English is taught by the teacher.
When Do We Use Passive Voice?
- When the doer of the action is unknown or not important.
- When the focus is on the action or the object.
- In scientific writing, news reports, and instructions.
Fun Activity: Change the Voice!
Write five sentences in active voice. Change them to passive voice. Share with your friends and check each other's answers!
Summary
- Active Voice: The subject does the action.
- Passive Voice: The subject receives the action.
- You can change sentences from active to passive by following simple rules.
Practice Questions
- Change to passive: The chef cooked the meal.
- Change to active: The homework was completed by the student.
- Identify the voice: The song was sung by Maya.
- Change to passive: The children played football.
- Change to active: The book was read by Ravi.
Challenge Yourself
- Write three sentences in passive voice about your school.
- Find five sentences in your textbook and identify their voice.
Did You Know?
- Passive voice is often used in scientific writing and news reports.
- Active voice makes sentences clear and direct.
Glossary
- Voice: The form of a verb that shows whether the subject acts or is acted upon.
- Active Voice: The subject does the action.
- Passive Voice: The subject receives the action.
- Subject: The person or thing doing or receiving the action.
- Object: The person or thing affected by the action.
Answers to Practice Questions
- The meal was cooked by the chef.
- The student completed the homework.
- Passive Voice.
- Football was played by the children.
- Ravi read the book.
Practice changing sentences between active and passive voice to master English grammar!