The Present Indefinite Tense (also known as Simple Present Tense) is commonly used to express habitual actions, general truths, and facts. Understanding its use in active and passive voice is essential for building a strong foundation in English grammar. This guide will help you master both forms through clear structures, Hindi-English translations, and practice exercises designed for learners.
What Is Voice in Grammar?
- Active Voice: The subject does the action.
Example: She writes a letter. - Passive Voice: The subject receives the action.
Example: A letter is written by her.
Structure of Present Indefinite Tense
1. Active Voice
Structure:
Subject + base verb (V1) + s/es + object
Examples:
- He writes a story.
- They play cricket.
2. Passive Voice
Structure:
Object + is/am/are + past participle (V3) + by + subject
Examples:
- A story is written by him.
- Cricket is played by them.
Active to Passive Voice Conversion Rules
| Sentence Type | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
| Affirmative | She sings a song. | A song is sung by her. |
| Negative | He does not clean the room. | The room is not cleaned by him. |
| Interrogative (Yes/No) | Do you eat mangoes? | Are mangoes eaten by you? |
| Interrogative (Wh-) | Who teaches you? | By whom are you taught? |
Section 1: Hindi-English Active & Passive Voice Examples
| Hindi Sentence | Active Voice (English) | Passive Voice (English) |
| वह पत्र लिखता है। | He writes a letter. | A letter is written by him. |
| वे स्कूल जाते हैं। | They go to school. | School is gone by them. (rare usage) |
| वह कहानी सुनाती है। | She tells a story. | A story is told by her. |
| मैं खाना बनाता हूँ। | I cook food. | Food is cooked by me. |
| तुम किताब पढ़ते हो। | You read a book. | A book is read by you. |
Section 2: Practice Exercise – Convert into Passive Voice
Change the following into Passive Voice:
- He helps the poor.
- She cleans the kitchen.
- They make toys.
- I post the letter.
- We watched the movie.
Answers:
- The poor are helped by him.
- The kitchen is cleaned by her.
- Toys are made by them.
- The letter is posted by me.
- The movie is watched by us.
Section 3: Fill in the Blanks (Active/Passive Mix)
- Tea ___ (make) by the maid.
- He ___ (sings) a song every day.
- Books ___ (read) by the students.
- The gardener ___ (water) the plants.
- Clothes ___ (wash) by her daily.
Answers:
- is made
- sings
- are read
- waters
- are washed
Mixed Active-Passive Hindi to English Translation
| Hindi Sentence | Active/Passive | English Translation |
| वह गाना गाता है। | Active | He sings a song. |
| गाना उसके द्वारा गाया जाता है। | Passive | A song is sung by him. |
| शिक्षक छात्रों को पढ़ाते हैं। | Active | Teachers teach students. |
| छात्र शिक्षकों द्वारा पढ़ाए जाते हैं। | Passive | Students are taught by teachers. |
| क्या तुम दूध पीते हो? | Active | Do you drink milk? |
| क्या दूध तुम्हारे द्वारा पिया जाता है? | Passive | Is milk drunk by you? |
Key Verb Changes (V1 → V3) for Passive Voice
| Base Verb (V1) | Past Participle (V3) |
| write | written |
| eat | eaten |
| drink | drunk |
| read | read |
| make | made |
| cook | cooked |
| clean | cleaned |
| sing | sung |
| post | posted |
| help | helped |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When should I use passive voice in Present Indefinite Tense?
Use passive voice when the doer is unknown, less important, or when you want to emphasize the action rather than the subject.
How do I know when to use “is,” “am,” or “are” in passive voice?
- Use is with singular nouns (he, she, it).
- Use am with “I.”
- Use is with plural nouns (they, we, you).
Can every sentence be converted into passive voice?
No. Only transitive verbs (verbs that take an object) can be changed to passive voice.
What is the verb form used in passive voice?
Always use the third form of the verb (V3) in passive voice.
What is the passive voice of “Do you play football?”
Is football played by you?
Master Active and Passive Voice in Present Indefinite Tense
With the right structure and plenty of practice, you can confidently transform sentences from active to passive voice in the Present Indefinite Tense. This skill enhances both your written and spoken English, especially in formal and academic settings.