Do you know how to use the active and passive voice in English? Learning active and passive voice unlocks new sentences. It is very important for both competitive exams and academic exams. In this article, we will share how to use active and passive voice in present simple tense with examples and rules.
Affirmative Sentences (Active Voice):
In affirmative sentences, we express actions that are true or habitual in the present.
Rules for Active Voice Affirmative:
The subject performs the action.
Use the base form of the main verb.
Now let’s look at some active and passive voice simple present tense examples,
1) Neha writes poems.
2) They play football.
3) Kundan reads books.
Affirmative Sentences (Passive Voice):
Rules for passive voice present simple:
1) Move the object of the active sentence to the beginning of the passive sentence.
2) Use the appropriate form of the verb “to be” (am, is, are) based on the new subject.
3) Change the verb to its (V3) past participle form.
For example,
1) Poems are written by Neha.
2) Football is played by them.
3) Books are read by Kundan.
Negative Sentences (Active Voice):
In negative sentences, we express actions that are not happening in the present.
Rules for Active Voice Negative:
Use “do not” or “does not” (depending on the subject) before the base form of the main verb.
For example,
1) Neha does not write poems.
2) They do not play football.
3) Kundan does not read books.
Negative Sentences (Passive Voice):
Rules for present simple passive negative:
1) Move the object of the active sentence to the beginning of the passive sentence.
2) Use the appropriate form of “to be” (am not, is not, are not) based on the new subject.
3) Change the verb to its (V3) past participle form.
For example,
1) Poems are not written by Neha.
2) Football is not played by them.
3) Books are not read by Kundan.
Interrogative Sentences (Active Voice):
We use interrogative sentences to ask questions about actions happening in the present.
Rules for Active Voice Interrogative:
Use the auxiliary verb “do” or “does” (depending on the subject) at the beginning of the sentence.
Follow the same rule with the simple form of the main verb.
For example,
1) Does Neha write poems?
2) Do they play football?
3) Does Kundan read books?
Interrogative Sentences (Passive Voice):
Rules for Passive Voice Interrogative:
1) Move the object of the active sentence to the beginning of the passive sentence.
2) Use the appropriate form of the verb “to be” (am, is, are) based on the new subject.
3) Change the verb to its (V3) past participle form.
4) Place the auxiliary verb “is,” “am,” or “are” at the beginning of the sentence.
For example,
1) Are poems written by Neha?
2) Is football played by them?
3) Are books read by Kundan?
Negative Interrogative Sentences (Active Voice):
In negative interrogative sentences, we ask questions about actions that are not happening in the present.
Rules for Active Voice Negative Interrogative:
– Use the helping verbs “does not” or “do not” at the beginning.
– Follow it with the subject, then the base form of the main verb.
Go through these simple present tense active and passive voice examples,
1) Doesn’t Neha write poems?
2) Don’t they play football?
3) Doesn’t Kundan read books?
Negative Interrogative Sentences (Passive Voice):
Rules for Passive Voice Negative Interrogative:
1) Move the object of the active sentence to the beginning of the passive sentence.
2) Use the appropriate form of the verb “to be” (am, is, are) based on the new subject.
3) Change the verb to its (V3) past participle form.
4) Place the auxiliary verb “is,” “am,” or “are” at the beginning of the sentence.
For example,
1) Aren’t poems written by Neha?
2) Isn’t football played by them?
3) Aren’t books read by Kundan?
Learning the active and passive voice rules in the present indefinite tense is important. It opens up a world of clearer expression and effective communication. These grammatical rules allow you to bring different effects in your writing and conversation. You need to practice sentences on these rules.
She did not wash the clothes