General English
Active and Passive Voice
Learn how to transform sentences while preserving tense, object and meaning.
Study progress
1. Basic Pattern
Active: Subject + Verb + Object. Passive: Object + be + V3 + (by + subject).
2. Tense Control
Keep the tense by changing the form of be; the main verb becomes V3.
3. Questions
Retain the interrogative meaning and move the object to subject position in the passive construction.
4. Modals
Modal + be + V3: The work must be completed.
5. Imperatives
Common passive patterns include Let + object + be + V3 or other context-appropriate forms.
6. When Passive Is Not Possible
Intransitive verbs without an object generally cannot be converted into ordinary passive voice.
Memory Tricks & Quick Recall
Passive = BE + V3. First find the object; if there is no suitable object, be cautious. Modal passive = MODAL + BE + V3.