Chapter: UNIT 8 Voice
📚 Vocabulary
English Grammar and Composition class 8
⭐ Most Important Exam Words
voiceactivepassivesubjectobjectactionstativedoercomposefeedcatchwritewinbuildsolveharvestcompletewelcomecollectpractisecancouldshouldoughtmayimperativebringopenfavourobeydoneeatenwrittenknowngivenseentakenbroken
📃 Word Formation Rules
► Active voice generally follows Subject + Verb + Object, while passive voice follows Object + be verb + past participle + by + Subject.
► Present indefinite passive: am/is/are + past participle.
► Present continuous passive: am/is/are + being + past participle.
► Present perfect passive: has/have + been + past participle.
► Past indefinite passive: was/were + past participle.
► Past continuous passive: was/were + being + past participle.
► Past perfect passive: had + been + past participle.
► Future simple passive: will + be + past participle.
► Future continuous passive: will + be + being + past participle.
► Modal passive: modal verb + be + past participle.
► Imperative passive: Let + object + be + past participle.
► A transitive verb can usually be changed into passive voice because it has an object; stative or intransitive verbs usually cannot.
1. Voice and Grammar Terms (8 words)
voice[/vɔɪs/]nouneasy
Meaning: বাচ্য
Alt: কণ্ঠস্বর
Example: Voice shows whether the subject performs or receives an action.
Syn: expression
💡 Exam tip: Remember that English has two main voices: active and passive.
active[/ˈæk.tɪv/]adjeasy
Meaning: সক্রিয়
Alt: কর্তৃবাচ্য
Example: In an active sentence, the subject performs the action.
Syn: working, energeticAnt: passive
💡 Exam tip: The active structure is usually Subject + Verb + Object.
passive[/ˈpæs.ɪv/]adjeasy
Meaning: নিষ্ক্রিয়
Alt: কর্মবাচ্য
Example: In a passive sentence, the action is given importance.
Syn: inactive, receptiveAnt: active
💡 Exam tip: Use be verb + past participle to form a passive sentence.
subject[/ˈsʌb.dʒɪkt/]nouneasy
Meaning: কর্তা
Alt: বিষয়
Example: The subject usually performs the action in an active sentence.
Syn: doer, actorAnt: object
💡 Exam tip: The active subject generally becomes the passive object after by.
object[/ˈɒb.dʒɪkt/]nouneasy
Meaning: কর্ম
Alt: বস্তু
Example: The object receives the action of the verb.
Syn: receiver, targetAnt: subject
💡 Exam tip: The active object becomes the subject of a passive sentence.
action[/ˈæk.ʃən/]nouneasy
Meaning: কাজ
Alt: ক্রিয়া
Example: Only verbs that express an action can normally be changed into passive voice.
Syn: deed, activityAnt: inaction
💡 Exam tip: Check whether the verb has an object before changing it into passive.
stative[/ˈsteɪ.tɪv/]adjhard
Meaning: অবস্থাসূচক
Alt: অক্রিয়াবাচক
Example: Be and have are often used as stative verbs.
Syn: descriptive, non-actionAnt: dynamic
💡 Exam tip: Sentences such as He is a student and I have a pencil are not changed into passive voice.
doer[/ˈduː.ər/]nounmedium
Meaning: কর্তা বা কাজ সম্পাদনকারী
Alt: যে কাজটি করে
Example: The doer is often introduced by by in a passive sentence.
Syn: agent, performerAnt: receiver
💡 Exam tip: The active subject is called the doer of the action.
2. Present Tense Voice (8 words)
compose[/kəmˈpəʊz/]verbeasy
Meaning: রচনা করা
Alt: তৈরি করা
Example: I compose an email every morning.
Syn: write, createAnt: destroy
💡 Exam tip: Present indefinite passive: An email is composed by me.
eat[/iːt/]verbeasy
Meaning: খাওয়া
Alt: গ্রহণ করা
Example: He eats a mango.
Syn: consume, devourAnt: fast
💡 Exam tip: The past participle of eat is eaten, not eated.
feed[/fiːd/]verbmedium
Meaning: খাওয়ানো
Alt: খাদ্য দেওয়া
Example: The mother is feeding the baby.
Syn: nourish, give foodAnt: starve
💡 Exam tip: Present continuous passive uses is or are being + past participle: The baby is being fed.
catch[/kætʃ/]verbeasy
Meaning: ধরা
Alt: আটক করা
Example: The fisherman catches fish in the river.
Syn: capture, seizeAnt: release
💡 Exam tip: The past participle of catch is caught.
read[/riːd/]verbeasy
Meaning: পড়া
Alt: পাঠ করা
Example: We read novels in our free time.
Syn: study, peruseAnt: ignore
💡 Exam tip: The past and past participle forms of read are pronounced /red/.
love[/lʌv/]verbeasy
Meaning: ভালোবাসা
Alt: পছন্দ করা
Example: We love our country.
Syn: like, adoreAnt: hate
💡 Exam tip: Passive form: Our country is loved by us.
write[/raɪt/]verbeasy
Meaning: লেখা
Alt: রচনা করা
Example: She is writing a letter.
Syn: record, composeAnt: erase
💡 Exam tip: The past participle of write is written.
win[/wɪn/]verbeasy
Meaning: জয় করা
Alt: জিতে নেওয়া
Example: We have won the match.
Syn: triumph, succeedAnt: lose
💡 Exam tip: Present perfect passive: The match has been won by us.
3. Past Tense Voice (8 words)
help[/help/]verbeasy
Meaning: সাহায্য করা
Alt: সহায়তা করা
Example: Bashir helped the old man.
Syn: assist, supportAnt: hinder
💡 Exam tip: Past indefinite passive uses was or were + past participle.
build[/bɪld/]verbeasy
Meaning: নির্মাণ করা
Alt: তৈরি করা
Example: F. R. Khan built the Sears Tower.
Syn: construct, erectAnt: demolish
💡 Exam tip: The past participle of build is built.
solve[/sɒlv/]verbeasy
Meaning: সমাধান করা
Alt: মীমাংসা করা
Example: My teacher solved the problem.
Syn: answer, settleAnt: complicate
💡 Exam tip: Passive form: The problem was solved by my teacher.
pelting[/ˈpel.tɪŋ/]verbhard
Meaning: ছুড়ে মারা
Alt: বর্ষণ করা
Example: They were pelting stones at the wall.
Syn: throwing, hurlingAnt: catching
💡 Exam tip: Past continuous passive: Stones were being pelted by them.
harvest[/ˈhɑː.vɪst/]verbmedium
Meaning: ফসল কাটা
Alt: সংগ্রহ করা
Example: The farmers were harvesting paddy.
Syn: gather, reapAnt: sow
💡 Exam tip: Use was or were being before the past participle in past continuous passive.
answer[/ˈɑːn.sər/]verbeasy
Meaning: উত্তর দেওয়া
Alt: জবাব দেওয়া
Example: The student was answering the questions.
Syn: reply, respondAnt: ask
💡 Exam tip: The questions were being answered by the student.
complete[/kəmˈpliːt/]verbeasy
Meaning: সম্পন্ন করা
Alt: শেষ করা
Example: Bashir had completed his studies.
Syn: finish, accomplishAnt: begin
💡 Exam tip: Past perfect passive: His studies had been completed by Bashir.
dreamt[/dremt/]verbmedium
Meaning: স্বপ্ন দেখেছিল
Alt: কল্পনা করেছিল
Example: He had dreamt a nice dream.
Syn: imagined, envisionedAnt: woke
💡 Exam tip: Dreamt is an accepted past and past participle form of dream.
4. Future Tense and Modals (8 words)
welcome[/ˈwel.kəm/]verbeasy
Meaning: স্বাগত জানানো
Alt: অভ্যর্থনা করা
Example: We will welcome the chief guest.
Syn: greet, receiveAnt: reject
💡 Exam tip: Future passive: The chief guest will be welcomed by us.
collect[/kəˈlekt/]verbeasy
Meaning: সংগ্রহ করা
Alt: জমা করা
Example: Who will collect the information?
Syn: gather, assembleAnt: scatter
💡 Exam tip: In a question with who, use By whom for the passive agent when necessary.
practise[/ˈpræk.tɪs/]verbmedium
Meaning: অনুশীলন করা
Alt: চর্চা করা
Example: We will be practising badminton.
Syn: train, rehearseAnt: neglect
💡 Exam tip: Future continuous passive: Badminton will be being practised by us.
can[/kæn/]verbeasy
Meaning: পারা
Alt: সক্ষম হওয়া
Example: I can do this.
Syn: be able toAnt: be unable to
💡 Exam tip: Modal passive structure: modal + be + past participle.
could[/kʊd/]verbeasy
Meaning: পারত
Alt: সম্ভব ছিল
Example: Karim could operate the machine.
Syn: was able to, mightAnt: could not
💡 Exam tip: Passive form: The machine could be operated by Karim.
should[/ʃʊd/]verbeasy
Meaning: উচিত
Alt: করা দরকার
Example: We should obey our parents.
Syn: ought to, mustAnt: should not
💡 Exam tip: Use should be followed by the past participle in passive voice.
ought[/ɔːt/]verbmedium
Meaning: উচিত হওয়া
Alt: নৈতিক কর্তব্য থাকা
Example: We ought to practise English speaking.
Syn: should, mustAnt: ought not
💡 Exam tip: Ought to is a modal expression; passive form is ought to be + past participle.
may[/meɪ/]verbeasy
Meaning: পারা বা অনুমতি থাকা
Alt: সম্ভব হওয়া
Example: You may do the work.
Syn: might, be permitted toAnt: may not
💡 Exam tip: Passive form: The work may be done by you.
5. Imperative and Question Forms (8 words)
imperative[/ɪmˈper.ə.tɪv/]nounmedium
Meaning: আজ্ঞাসূচক বাক্য
Alt: নির্দেশমূলক রূপ
Example: An imperative sentence gives an order, request, or advice.
Syn: command, orderAnt: declarative
💡 Exam tip: The common passive structure is Let + object + be + past participle.
bring[/brɪŋ/]verbeasy
Meaning: আনা
Alt: নিয়ে আসা
Example: Bring the book.
Syn: carry, fetchAnt: take away
💡 Exam tip: Passive imperative: Let the book be brought.
open[/ˈəʊ.pən/]verbeasy
Meaning: খোলা
Alt: উন্মুক্ত করা
Example: Open the door.
Syn: unlock, uncoverAnt: close, shut
💡 Exam tip: Passive imperative: Let the door be opened.
phone[/fəʊn/]verbmedium
Meaning: ফোন করা
Alt: টেলিফোনে যোগাযোগ করা
Example: Do not phone me.
Syn: call, telephoneAnt: ignore
💡 Exam tip: Negative imperative passive may be formed as Let me not be phoned.
call[/kɔːl/]verbeasy
Meaning: ডাকা
Alt: ফোন করা
Example: Who calls you?
Syn: summon, telephoneAnt: dismiss
💡 Exam tip: Who calls you? can become By whom are you called?
question[/ˈkwes.tʃən/]nouneasy
Meaning: প্রশ্ন
Alt: জিজ্ঞাসা
Example: The teacher asked a difficult question.
Syn: query, inquiryAnt: answer
💡 Exam tip: In passive questions, retain the question word and change the auxiliary verb.
favour[/ˈfeɪ.vər/]nounhard
Meaning: অনুগ্রহ
Alt: সহায়তা
Example: Will you do me a favour?
Syn: kindness, helpAnt: harm
💡 Exam tip: With two objects, either object may become the passive subject: I may be done a favour or A favour may be done to me.
obey[/əˈbeɪ/]verbeasy
Meaning: মান্য করা
Alt: আজ্ঞা পালন করা
Example: Children should obey their parents.
Syn: follow, comply withAnt: disobey
💡 Exam tip: Passive form: Parents should be obeyed by children.
6. Important Irregular Past Participles (8 words)
done[/dʌn/]verbeasy
Meaning: করা হয়েছে
Alt: সম্পন্ন
Example: The work was done by me.
Syn: completed, finishedAnt: undone
💡 Exam tip: Do-did-done; use done after be, have, or modal passive structures.
eaten[/ˈiː.tən/]verbeasy
Meaning: খাওয়া হয়েছে
Alt: ভক্ষণ করা হয়েছে
Example: The mango has been eaten by him.
Syn: consumed, devouredAnt: saved
💡 Exam tip: Eat-ate-eaten; never use ate after has been or was.
written[/ˈrɪt.ən/]verbeasy
Meaning: লেখা হয়েছে
Alt: রচিত
Example: The letter was written by her.
Syn: recorded, composedAnt: erased
💡 Exam tip: Write-wrote-written; written is the required passive form.
known[/nəʊn/]verbeasy
Meaning: পরিচিত বা জানা
Alt: জ্ঞাত
Example: We are known to them.
Syn: recognized, understoodAnt: unknown
💡 Exam tip: Know-knew-known; the preposition to may be used instead of by in some sentences.
given[/ˈɡɪv.ən/]verbeasy
Meaning: দেওয়া হয়েছে
Alt: প্রদান করা হয়েছে
Example: The dictionary had been given to me by them.
Syn: presented, offeredAnt: taken
💡 Exam tip: Give-gave-given; with two objects, use to before the indirect object when needed.
seen[/siːn/]verbeasy
Meaning: দেখা হয়েছে
Alt: পর্যবেক্ষণ করা হয়েছে
Example: The film has been seen by many students.
Syn: observed, noticedAnt: missed
💡 Exam tip: See-saw-seen; use seen, not saw, in passive voice.
taken[/ˈteɪ.kən/]verbeasy
Meaning: নেওয়া হয়েছে
Alt: গ্রহণ করা হয়েছে
Example: Lunch had been taken by the students.
Syn: carried, acceptedAnt: returned
💡 Exam tip: Take-took-taken; past participle is essential after had been.
broken[/ˈbrəʊ.kən/]verbeasy
Meaning: ভাঙা হয়েছে
Alt: ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত
Example: The glass was broken by Babul.
Syn: damaged, crackedAnt: repaired
💡 Exam tip: Break-broke-broken; do not use broke after was or has been.
💡 Exam Tips
• First identify the tense, subject, verb, and object before changing the voice.
• Move the active object to the beginning of the passive sentence.
• Change the main verb into its correct past participle form.
• Use the correct form of be according to the tense and number of the new subject.
• Use by before the active subject when the doer is important; it may be omitted when the doer is unknown or unimportant.
• In questions, keep the question word such as what, why, when, or who in the passive sentence.
• For who questions, use by whom when the person performing the action becomes the passive agent.
• With two objects, either object may become the passive subject, but use to where appropriate.
• Do not change sentences with only be, have, or other stative verbs into passive voice.
• Memorise irregular past participles such as done, eaten, written, known, given, taken, and broken.
• In negative sentences, place not after the first auxiliary verb.
• For modal verbs, never add to before be in the passive form: can be done, should be obeyed, may be taken.