1. Modal Auxiliaries (Can, Could, Must, Should)
Active: Subject + Modal + V1 + Object
Passive: Object + Modal + be + V3 + by + Subject
Example: You must submit the document → The document must be submitted by you.
Active and Passive Voice Rules for SSC Exams 2026 – Complete Chart & Solved MCQs
Active and Passive Voice is one of the highest-scoring sections in SSC examinations. In SSC CGL Tier 2, voice questions contribute up to 15 marks, while in SSC CPO English Paper 2, candidates face 20+ direct conversion questions. Once you understand the fundamental auxiliary verb matrix, voice questions can be answered with 100% accuracy in under 10 seconds.
CGL Tier 2 Weight
3–5 Questions
9 to 15 Marks
CPO Paper 2 Weight
20 Questions
20 Full Marks
Golden Law
Tense NEVER Changes
Keep Original Tense
Verb Formula
BE + V3 Always
Mandatory Structure
The Golden Voice Law: Unlike Direct/Indirect speech where tenses shift backwards, Active/Passive Voice NEVER changes tense! A Simple Present sentence in active voice must remain Simple Present in passive voice (using is/am/are + V3). If an option changes the tense, eliminate it immediately.
Comprehensive Tense-by-Tense Voice Transformation Chart
Study this exhaustive 8-tense transformation chart comparing Active structures against their mandatory Passive configurations:
| Tense | Active Voice Structure & Example | Passive Voice Formula | Passive Voice Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | Subject + V1/V5 + Object She writes a letter. |
Object + is/am/are + V3 + by + Subject | A letter is written by her. |
| Present Continuous | Subject + is/am/are + V4 + Object They are constructing a bridge. |
Object + is/am/are + being + V3 + by + Subject | A bridge is being constructed by them. |
| Present Perfect | Subject + has/have + V3 + Object He has solved the mystery. |
Object + has/have + been + V3 + by + Subject | The mystery has been solved by him. |
| Simple Past | Subject + V2 + Object The chef prepared a sumptuous meal. |
Object + was/were + V3 + by + Subject | A sumptuous meal was prepared by the chef. |
| Past Continuous | Subject + was/were + V4 + Object She was painting the canvas. |
Object + was/were + being + V3 + by + Subject | The canvas was being painted by her. |
| Past Perfect | Subject + had + V3 + Object They had completed the project before dawn. |
Object + had + been + V3 + by + Subject | The project had been completed by them before dawn. |
| Simple Future | Subject + will/shall + V1 + Object The committee will announce the results. |
Object + will/shall + be + V3 + by + Subject | The results will be announced by the committee. |
| Future Perfect | Subject + will have + V3 + Object Scientists will have discovered a cure. |
Object + will have + been + V3 + by + Subject | A cure will have been discovered by scientists. |
Special Voice Transformation Rules: Modals, Imperatives & Interrogatives
2. Imperative Sentences (Orders, Advice, Requests)
Orders: Let + Object + be + V3 (e.g. Close the door → Let the door be closed).
Advice: Object + should be + V3 (e.g. Help the poor → The poor should be helped).
Requests: You are requested to + V1.
3. Interrogative Sentences (Who → By whom)
'Who' in active voice becomes 'By whom' in passive voice:
Example: Who wrote the Ramayana? → By whom was the Ramayana written?
Whom becomes Who: Whom did you invite? → Who was invited by you?
Interactive Knowledge Drill: Test Active & Passive Voice
Voice Drill
Time: 20s
Convert to Passive: "The chef prepared a sumptuous meal."
(Repeated in SSC CGL Tier 1 & Tier 2)
Frequently Asked Questions on Active & Passive Voice
How many voice questions are asked in SSC CGL Tier 2?
In SSC CGL Tier 2, Active and Passive Voice conversion questions typically account for 3 to 5 direct questions carrying 9 to 15 marks. In SSC CPO Paper 2, it accounts for 20+ questions.
Which tenses cannot be converted into Passive Voice?
Four tense forms cannot be changed into passive voice in standard English: Present Perfect Continuous, Past Perfect Continuous, Future Continuous, and Future Perfect Continuous, as well as sentences with intransitive verbs without prepositions.
What is the passive voice rule for Imperative Sentences?
For orders or commands: 'Let + Object + be + Past Participle (V3)'. For advice: 'Object + should be + V3'. For requests: 'You are requested to + V1'.
How do you convert interrogative sentences starting with 'Who' into passive?
'Who' changes to 'By whom' at the start of the passive sentence, followed by the auxiliary verb, the object, and V3 (e.g., 'Who wrote this book?' -> 'By whom was this book written?').
Does tense change when converting Active Voice to Passive Voice?
No! Tense NEVER changes between active and passive voice (unlike Direct/Indirect speech). Present tense remains present, past remains past, and future remains future, only the aspect form adopts 'be + V3'.