Passives | Agents

In most cases, the subject of an active verb (the agent) is not mentioned in the corresponding passive sentence. If it does have to be mentioned, we usually use an expression with by.

• They gave me a warm welcome. (active)
• I was given a warm welcome by them. (passive)
• Children love toys. (active)
• Toys are loved by children. (passive)
• They built this house. (active)
• This house was built by them.
• Her attitude shocked me.
• I was shocked by her attitude.

It should be noted that by is not the only word with which the agent can be introduced. After the past participles of some 'stative' verbs (verbs which refer to states, not actions) other prepositions can be used instead of by.

• The state of his health worries me. (active)
• I am worried about the state of his health. (passive)
• Snakes scare me. (active)
• I am scared of snakes. (passive)

With is used when we talk about an instrument which is used by an agent to do an action.

• He killed the snake with a stick. (active)
• The snake was killed (by him) with a stick. (passive)

See also

Active and passive voice
Choice of passive structures
Passive verb forms
Verbs not used in the passive
Passives: agents
Passives: verbs with two objects
Passives: sentences with infinitive and clause objects
Passives: verbs with object and infinitive
Passives: object complements

More CBSE English Grammar worksheets

Passive voice worksheet | Simple past tense
Passive voice worksheet | Past continuous tense
Passive voice worksheet | Simple future tense
Passive voice worksheet | Future perfect tense