Active and Passive Voice • Teacha! - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to rewrite each sentence correctly.

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Part A: Rewrite in Passive Voice

Remember:
Passive voice = Object + Verb (past participle) + “by” + Subject

1. The grade 6 learners write an English test.
→ Object: an English test
→ Verb: write → written (past participle)
→ Subject: the grade 6 learners
✔ Passive: *An English test is written by the grade 6 learners.*

2. Sometimes the English teacher makes funny jokes.
→ Object: funny jokes
→ Verb: makes → made
→ Subject: the English teacher
✔ Passive: *Funny jokes are sometimes made by the English teacher.*
*(Note: “sometimes” can stay at the beginning or after “are” — both okay, but we’ll keep it natural.)*

3. Our principal, Mr. Watson, makes an impressive speech.
→ Object: an impressive speech
→ Verb: makes → made
→ Subject: Our principal, Mr. Watson
✔ Passive: *An impressive speech is made by our principal, Mr. Watson.*

4. Jonathan plays rugby with his best friend.
→ Object: rugby
→ Verb: plays → played
→ Subject: Jonathan
✔ Passive: *Rugby is played by Jonathan with his best friend.*
*(We keep “with his best friend” because it’s not part of the subject/object swap.)*

5. Samantha opens her birthday present.
→ Object: her birthday present
→ Verb: opens → opened
→ Subject: Samantha
✔ Passive: *Her birthday present is opened by Samantha.*

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Part B: Rewrite in Active Voice

Remember:
Active voice = Subject + Verb + Object
(Just reverse the passive structure!)

1. The book, Charlotte’s Web, is read by the learners.
→ Subject: the learners
→ Verb: is read → read (present tense for active)
→ Object: The book, Charlotte’s Web
✔ Active: *The learners read the book, Charlotte’s Web.*

2. A chocolate milkshake is drunk by Mrs. Coetzee.
→ Subject: Mrs. Coetzee
→ Verb: is drunk → drinks
→ Object: A chocolate milkshake
✔ Active: *Mrs. Coetzee drinks a chocolate milkshake.*

3. A beautiful song is sung by the new girl in the school.
→ Subject: the new girl in the school
→ Verb: is sung → sings
→ Object: A beautiful song
✔ Active: *The new girl in the school sings a beautiful song.*

4. A fantastic book is written by the author.
→ Subject: the author
→ Verb: is written → writes
→ Object: A fantastic book
✔ Active: *The author writes a fantastic book.*

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Final Answer:

A. Passive Voice:

1. An English test is written by the grade 6 learners.
2. Funny jokes are sometimes made by the English teacher.
3. An impressive speech is made by our principal, Mr. Watson.
4. Rugby is played by Jonathan with his best friend.
5. Her birthday present is opened by Samantha.

B. Active Voice:

1. The learners read the book, Charlotte’s Web.
2. Mrs. Coetzee drinks a chocolate milkshake.
3. The new girl in the school sings a beautiful song.
4. The author writes a fantastic book.