Brief on English Grammar Class 6 - Active and Passive Voice

In today’s lesson, we will discuss the concept of the Voice of a Transitive verb. We will first discuss its definition followed by its types. The 2 types of voices will be explained in depth along with their examples and properties. Practice questions and solved examples are given throughout the article for better understanding and concept clarity. Let’s begin the journey on this amazing topic.

Introduction to Grammar

Voice of Verb and Its Types

A transitive verb is one that calls for a direct object, which is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that comes after the verb and completes the meaning of the sentence by identifying the subject or object of the verb's activity. Whereas, intransitive verbs do not include a direct object and thus they cannot be given any voice unlike transitive verbs.

The way of voice given to a transitive verb is referred to as the Voice of the Verb. 

The voices are classified on the basis that whether the subject acts or is acted upon.  

There are different types of Voices that can be used to convey the same meaning to a sentence but in a different manner. Different types of voices don't change the meaning of the sentence, instead, the way of speaking changes.

The voice is broadly classified into two categories:

1. Active Voice

2. Passive Voice

Verb

Active Voice:

When the subject in the sentence is the doer of the action, the verb is said to be in active voice. 

For Example 

1. Riya is drinking water. 

( Here Riya is the subject and drinking is the verb. Riya is the doer of the action here so the verb is in active voice.)

2. Seema is Writing a poem.

( Here Seema is the subject and Writing a poem is the verb of the sentence. Seema is doing the action and thus the verb is again in active voice.)

Passive voice:

When the subject in the sentence is acted upon or receives the action, the verb is said to be in passive voice. 

For Example

1. Water is being drunk by Riya

(Here Riya is receiving the action of Drinking Water therefore we can say that the verb is in passive voice.) 

2. A poem is written by Seema. 

(Here Seema is receiving the action of Writing a poem so again the verb is in passive voice.)

Subject and Verb in Sentence

Practice Questions:

Identify the given sentences in active or passive voice.

1. Pinky is sitting in Class.

2. This food is cooked by Rahul.

3. Nikita draws very well.

4. This song is sung by my father.

Answers

1. Active Voice

2. Passive Voice

3. Active Voice

4. Passive Voice

Active Voice to Passive Voice

The sentences can be changed from Active Voice to passive voice. The rules to change a sentence from active voice to passive voice are given below: 

1. Subject in active voice takes the position of Object in passive voice and vice versa.

2. In passive voice, ‘by’ is used before the object.

3. The word ‘be’ is used accordingly depending on the tense of the verb in the sentence.

Passive Voice to Active Voice

The sentences can be changed from Passive Voice to active voice. The rules to change a sentence from passive voice to active voice are given below: 

1. Subject in passive voice takes the position of Object in active voice and vice versa.

2. In active voice, ‘by’ is removed.

3. First Form of verb is used. 

Other General Rules:

1. Interrogative Sentence: Interrogative form of the sentence is always unchanged in these types of Sentences, i.e. use the helping verb before the subject in Passive voice.

For Example:

Is he taking coffee? (Active Voice)

Is coffee being taken by him? (Passive Voice) 

2. Imperative Sentence: The conversion of Imperative sentences is explained with the help of following example.

Help the needy. (Active Voice)

Let the needy be helped. (Passive Voice). 

Various forms of ‘be’ as per Different Tenses:

Let us consider some examples of both active voice and passive voice in a tabular form:

Difficult Word Meanings:

Benefits of Learning Active and Passive Voice for Class 6

• Active and passive voices are essential in the English language. Active voices help to enhance the clarity of a sentence by clearly mentioning who is taking action.

• Using passive voices in a sentence can prevent unnecessary repetition. 

Examples of Active and Passive Voice for Class 6

1) She was baking cakes. (Active voice)

      Cakes were being baked by her. (Passive voice)

2) He plays football.

       Football is played by him.    

Facts about Active and Passive Voice for Class 6

The rules for changing active voice to passive voice are given below in a chart.

Here, V refers to a verb.

In the case of simple present tense: 

In the case of simple past tense:

In the case of simple future tense:

Changes of pronouns from active voice to passive

Important Topics of Active and Passive Voice for Class 6

In this chapter, you will learn about the following:

• What is an active and passive voice?

• How to change active voice to passive voice?

• Practice worksheet on voice change.

English Grammar Active and Passive Voice for Class 6 - Free PDF Download 

• This active and passive voice PDF discussed the rules and tricks of voice changes and an exercise on active and passive voice for Class 6 students is also provided. 

• It will guide your kids to learn all the tricks of voice changes with the help of the voice change rule charts and a wide range of related examples.

Changing active to passive voices is quite difficult for Class 6 students if they are not guided properly. Vedantu’s subject matter experts will guide your child with the free study materials and masterclasses.

Practice Questions

A. Convert the given sentences from active voice to Passive Voice.

1. Shanya and her friends are practicing dance.

2. Jiva is eating an apple.

3. Radhya is watching a movie.

B. Convert the given sentences from passive voice to Active Voice.

1. A tree is planted by Sharan.

2. Is tea being taken by her?

3. Let the poor be helped.

Answers:

A.

1. Dance is being practiced by Shanya and her friends.

2. An apple is being eaten by Jiva.

3. A movie is being watched by Radhya.

B. 

1. Sharan is planting a tree.

2. Is she taking the tea?

3. Help the poor.

Summary

To ensure clarity, writers must be deliberate about voice. While passive voice can assist avoid needless repetition, active voice frequently increases intelligibility. The passive voice is used to express interest in the subject of an action rather than the subject or object that actually performs it. In other words, the most significant object or someone becomes the sentence's topic. By making it plain to the reader who is acting in the sentence, active voice can help assure intelligibility. The majority of non-scientific writing use active voice. Making the majority of your sentences active helps readers understand what you're saying while preventing overly long or complex sentences.