The structure of sentences in past simple tense (simple past) in active voice in English is as follows:
Subject + past tense form of the verb + object
The same sentences in English, but in passive voice (passive voice) have the following structure:
Object of the active sentence + was/were + past participle form of the verb + by + subject of the active sentence
Converting an assertive sentence from active voice to passive voice (passive voice):
- Active: He wrote a letter.
- Passive: A letter was written by him.
- Active: They knew it.
- Passive: It was known to them.
- Active: She sang a song.
- Passive: A song was sung by her.
- Active: He loved his friends very much.
- Passive: His friends were loved very much by him.
Converting a negative sentence to passive voice (passive voice):
- Active: She did not know anything about it.
- Passive: Nothing about it was known to her.
- Active: Nobody could discourage him from pursuing his path.
- Passive: He could not be discouraged from pursuing his path by anybody.
- Active: You did not listen to me.
- Passive: I was not listened to by you.
- Active: She did not write a story.
- Passive: A story was not written by her.
Converting a question to passive voice (passive voice):
The passive form of these sentences begins with did. If the sentence in active voice begins with a question word, the sentence in passive voice will also begin with a question word.
If the sentence in active voice begins with who or whose, the sentence in passive voice begins with by whom or by whose.
If the sentence in active voice begins with whom, the sentence in passive voice begins with who.
- Active: Did he break the window?
- Passive: Was the window broken by him?
- Active: Where could you find such fine art?
- Passive: Where could such fine art be found?
Active: Why did you abuse your servant?- Passive: Why was your servant abused by you?
- Active: Did anyone steal your purse?
- Passive: Was your purse stolen by anyone?
- Active: Did anyone hurt your feelings?
- Passive: Were your feelings hurt by anyone?
- Active: Did Alice invite you?
- Passive: Were you invited by Alice?
- Active: Who killed the snake?
- Passive: By whom was the snake killed?
- Active: Why did he punish you?
- Passive: Why were you punished by him?
- Active: Whom did you laugh at?
- Passive: Who was laughed at by you?
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