Chapter 19: Voice in English Grammar

Abstract:

In grammar, "voice" refers to whether the subject of a sentence is performing the action (active voice) or receiving the action (passive voice). 

Active Voice:

• Definition: The subject performs the action of the verb.
Example: "The dog chased the ball." (The dog is doing the chasing)
Structure: Subject + Verb + Object 

Passive Voice:

Definition: The subject receives the action of the verb. 
Example: "The ball was chased by the dog." (The ball is receiving the action of being chased) 
Structure: Object + "be" verb + past participle + by + Subject 

So let's dive deeper into the 

Chapter 19: Voice in English Grammar

1. Definition of Voice in English Grammar

Voice in English grammar refers to the form of a verb that shows whether the subject performs the action (active voice) or receives the action (passive voice).

Examples:

• Active Voice: The teacher explained the lesson.

• Passive Voice: The lesson was explained by the teacher.

2. Importance of Voice in English Grammar

• Helps in emphasizing different parts of the sentence.

• Makes writing clearer and more engaging.

• Used in formal, academic, and professional writing.

• Helps in sentence variety and restructuring.

3. Types of Voice

There are two types of voice in English grammar:

A. Active Voice

The subject of the sentence performs the action.

Structure:

Subject + Verb + Object

Examples:

• The chef cooked a delicious meal.

• She wrote a novel.

B. Passive Voice

The subject receives the action, and the object of the active sentence becomes the subject.

Structure:

Object + Form of "be" + Past Participle + (by + Agent)

Examples:

• A delicious meal was cooked by the chef.

• A novel was written by her.

4. Uses of Active and Passive Voice

A. When to Use Active Voice

• To make sentences direct and clear.

• In informal, conversational, and creative writing.

• When the performer of the action is important.

Example:

• The company launched a new product.

B. When to Use Passive Voice

• When the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant.

• In formal, academic, and scientific writing.

• To emphasize the action rather than the performer.

Example:

• A new product was launched.

5. Sentence Structure of Active and Passive Voice

Tense	Active Voice Structure	Passive Voice Structure
Present Simple	She writes a book.	A book is written by her.
Present Continuous	She is writing a book.	A book is being written by her.
Present Perfect	She has written a book.	A book has been written by her.
Past Simple	She wrote a book.	A book was written by her.
Past Continuous	She was writing a book.	A book was being written by her.
Past Perfect	She had written a book.	A book had been written by her.
Future Simple	She will write a book.	A book will be written by her.
Future Perfect	She will have written a book.	A book will have been written by her.

Note: Future Continuous, Present Perfect Continuous, and Past Perfect Continuous tenses are rarely used in the passive voice.

6. Converting from One Voice to Another

To convert a sentence from active to passive voice:

1. Identify the subject, verb, and object.

2. Move the object of the active sentence to the subject position.

3. Use the correct form of "be" + past participle.

4. Retain the tense and meaning of the original sentence.

Examples of Conversion

• Active: The manager reviews the report.

• Passive: The report is reviewed by the manager.

• Active: The team is preparing the presentation.

• Passive: The presentation is being prepared by the team.

• Active: They will complete the project next week.

• Passive: The project will be completed next week.

7. Rules to Follow When Changing Voice

1. Identify the object: If there is no object, conversion is not possible.

2. Change pronouns appropriately:

   • I → Me, We → Us, He → Him, She → Her, They → Them

   • Example: He helped me → I was helped by him.

3. Tense should remain the same: Use the correct form of "be."

4. Some verbs cannot be changed to passive voice: Intransitive verbs like sleep, come, go do not take an object, so they remain in active voice.

8. Advantages of Using Passive Voice

• Helps maintain objectivity in scientific and academic writing.

• Focuses on the action rather than the doer.

• Useful when the doer is unknown or irrelevant.

9. Limitations of Passive Voice

• Can make sentences longer and less direct.

• May reduce clarity and impact.

• Not suitable for informal or creative writing.

10. Avoiding Errors in Voice Conversion

• Ensure the subject and object are correctly placed.

• Use the correct form of the verb.

• Maintain proper sentence agreement and tense.

Common Errors

❌ Incorrect: The letter wrote by her.
✅ Correct: The letter was written by her.

❌ Incorrect: A car drives by John.
✅ Correct: A car is driven by John.

11. Exercises for Practice

A. Convert the Following Sentences into Passive Voice

1. She cleans the room every day.

2. The chef is cooking a delicious meal.

3. The teacher had given us homework.

4. They will complete the project soon.

5. The government is launching a new policy.

B. Convert the Following Sentences into Active Voice

1. The book was written by J.K. Rowling.

2. The project has been completed by the team.

3. The cake was being baked by my mother.

4. A new bridge will be built by the company.

5. The meeting was scheduled by the manager.

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Conclusion:

This chapter provides a comprehensive understanding of Voice in English Grammar, its types, usage, rules, advantages, and limitations, along with conversion techniques and exercises for better clarity.