Bagaimana Mengubah Kalimat Aktif Menjadi Pasif dalam Bahasa Inggris?

The ability to transform active sentences into passive ones is a fundamental skill in English grammar. This transformation involves shifting the focus of the sentence from the doer of the action to the receiver of the action. Understanding this process is crucial for achieving clarity and precision in writing, particularly in formal contexts. This article will delve into the mechanics of this grammatical transformation, providing a comprehensive guide to effectively converting active sentences into passive ones.

Understanding the Basics of Active and Passive Voice

Active voice is the most common voice in English. In an active sentence, the subject performs the action. For instance, in the sentence "The dog chased the cat," the subject "dog" performs the action of "chasing." Conversely, in a passive sentence, the subject receives the action. The sentence "The cat was chased by the dog" is in the passive voice, where the subject "cat" is the receiver of the action "chased."

The Structure of Passive Sentences

Passive sentences typically follow a specific structure:

* Subject: The receiver of the action.

* Verb: A form of "to be" (is, are, was, were, etc.) followed by the past participle of the main verb.

* Object: The doer of the action (optional). This is often introduced by the preposition "by."

For example, in the sentence "The ball was hit by the boy," "ball" is the subject, "was hit" is the verb, and "by the boy" is the object.

Steps to Convert Active to Passive Voice

1. Identify the subject and object: In the active sentence, identify the subject (the doer of the action) and the object (the receiver of the action).

2. Change the object to the subject: Make the object of the active sentence the subject of the passive sentence.

3. Use the appropriate form of "to be": Choose the correct form of "to be" based on the tense of the active sentence.

4. Add the past participle of the main verb: Add the past participle of the main verb from the active sentence.

5. Add the original subject (optional): If you want to include the original subject, use the preposition "by" followed by the subject.

Examples of Active to Passive Conversion

* Active: The teacher gave the students a test.

* Passive: The students were given a test by the teacher.

* Active: John wrote the letter.

* Passive: The letter was written by John.

* Active: They are building a new school.

* Passive: A new school is being built.

When to Use Passive Voice

While active voice is generally preferred for its clarity and directness, there are situations where using passive voice is appropriate:

* When the action is more important than the doer: For example, "The patient was treated by a doctor."

* When the doer is unknown or unimportant: For example, "The window was broken."

* When you want to emphasize the receiver of the action: For example, "The award was presented to the winner."

Conclusion

Converting active sentences into passive voice is a valuable grammatical skill that allows for greater flexibility and precision in writing. By understanding the structure and steps involved in this transformation, you can effectively shift the focus of your sentences and achieve the desired emphasis. Remember to use passive voice judiciously, considering its impact on clarity and the overall tone of your writing.