In the previous two High English quizzes, we studied what constitutes sentences in active and passive voices. We also looked at instances where active and passive voices are used. We also learnt how to identify a sentence in passive or active voice. In this quiz we take a look at sentences in the passive voice in the present tense.
Sentences in general are in active voice as the subject performing the action is usually more important than the object on which the action is performed. In some cases, we find that we want to emphasise the object or thing receiving the action and, therefore, we use the passive voice. We find passive voice sentences in scientific and academic writing as they need to be objective. We can also use the passive form if we do not know who is performing the action or if we do not want to mention the person who is performing the action.
Verbs play an important role in tense and they change in different tense forms. Sentences in passive and active voice also have verbs changing in sentences according to the tenses. However, the main verb in the sentence in passive voice is always the third form or the past participle. The auxiliary verb changes according to the tense. Here's an example:
‘Arpana cleans the house.’ This sentence is in active voice and present tense. In passive voice and present tense it transforms into:
‘The house is cleaned by Arpana.’
We notice that the main verb (clean) changes into ‘cleaned’, which is the past participle of ‘clean.’ The auxiliary verb ‘is,’ indicates present tense. Thus, in passive voice, the verb form of the auxiliary verb indicates the tense of the sentence and the main verb takes its past participle form in all tenses. The sentence in passive voice and simple present use different forms of the auxiliary verb ‘am/is/are’ depending upon the person.
Take the quiz that follows and learn more about sentences in passive voice and present tense.