1. Active and passive voice

Active and passive voice represent two grammar structures that show whether the subject does the action or receives the action in a sentence.

The table below summarises the difference between these two voices.

Voice Note Example When to use it
Active
  • The subject does the action.
  • The subject receives the action.
 William painted the wall.
  • When you know who does the action.
  • When we want to mention who does the action.
Passive
  • The object becomes the focus of the sentence.
  • The agent performing the action can be omitted.
 The wall was painted by William.
  • When the action is more important than who does it.
  • When you don’t know (or don't want to say) who performs the action in a sentence.

2. Difference

In active voice, the subject comes first, followed by the verb and the object.

  1. I love you.
  2. He needs her.
  3. Donald built this house in 1999.
  4. The police killed the suspect.

A sentence in passive voice uses a conjugated form of to be followed by a past participle.

It follows the structure: object + 'be' verb + past participle + (by + subject).

Study the examples below.

  1. The suspect was killed by the police.
  2. This house was built by Donald in 1999.
  3. This grammar lesson was written by ESL teachers.

3. Forms

Present simple
Active
Subject + verb + object

The gardener mows the lawn every week.

Passive
Subject + am/is/are + past participle (+ by + agent)

The lawn is mowed by the gardener every week.

Present continuous
Active
Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing + object

The gardener is mowing the lawn.

Passive
Subject + am/is/are + being + past participle (+ by + agent)

The lawn is being mowed by the gardener.

Past simple
Active
Subject + verb (past) + object

Robert painted the wall.

Passive
Subject + was/were + past participle (+ by + agent)

The wall was painted by Robert.

Past continuous
Active
Subject + was/were + verb-ing + object

A contractor was building the house.

Passive
Subject + was/were + being + past participle (+ by + agent)

The house was being built by a contractor.

Future simple
Active
Subject + will + base verb + object

The courier will deliver the package tomorrow.

Passive
Subject + will + be + past participle (+ by + agent)

The package will be delivered by the courier tomorrow.

Be going to
Active
Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb + object

The courier is going to deliver the package tomorrow.

Passive
Subject + am/is/are + going to + be + past participle (+ by + agent)

The package is going to be delivered by the courier tomorrow.

Present perfect
Active
Subject + has/have + past participle + object

The courier has delivered the package.

Passive
Subject + has/have + been + past participle (+ by + agent)

The package has been delivered by the courier.

Past perfect
Active
Subject + had + past participle + object

A contractor had constructed the building.

Passive
Subject + had + been + past participle (+ by + agent)

The building had been constructed by a contractor.

Future perfect
Active
Subject + will + have + past participle + object

The chef will have baked the cake by the time the party starts.

Passive
Subject + will + have + been + past participle (+ by + agent)

The cake will have been baked by the chef by the time the party starts.

Modals
Active
Subject + modal verb + base verb + object

You should repair the fridge.

Passive
Subject + modal verb + be + past participle (+ by + agent)

The fridge should be repaired.

Active and passive voice grammar chart with definition, structures, and 8 example sentences
Active and passive voice examples
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