Understanding the structure and nuances of passive voice in any language can be challenging but rewarding. For English speakers learning Urdu, mastering the passive voice can add depth and versatility to your language skills. This article will explore how to convert active sentences into passive ones in Urdu, providing you with a comprehensive guide that includes grammatical rules, examples, and practice exercises.
Understanding the Basics: Active vs. Passive Voice
Before diving into Urdu grammar, it’s essential to understand the difference between active and passive voice in English.
In an active sentence, the subject performs the action of the verb. For example:
– The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse (object).
In a passive sentence, the object of the action becomes the subject of the sentence, and the action is performed by someone or something else. For example:
– The mouse (subject) was chased (verb) by the cat (agent).
In English, passive sentences are formed using the auxiliary verb “to be” and the past participle of the main verb. The agent (doer of the action) can be included or omitted.
Forming Passive Voice in Urdu
In Urdu, the passive voice is typically formed by using the auxiliary verb “جانا” (jana, meaning “to go”) in combination with the past participle form of the main verb. The structure may seem complex at first, but it follows a logical pattern that becomes intuitive with practice.
Basic Structure of Passive Voice in Urdu
The basic structure of a passive sentence in Urdu is as follows:
– Subject + Auxiliary Verb (form of جانا) + Past Participle of the Main Verb + Agent (optional).
Let’s break this down with an example:
– Active: لڑکا (subject) گیند (object) کھیل رہا ہے (verb).
– Translation: The boy is playing the ball.
– Passive: گیند (subject) کھیلی جا رہی ہے (verb) لڑکے کے ذریعے (agent, optional).
– Translation: The ball is being played by the boy.
Step-by-Step Guide to Converting Active Sentences to Passive
To convert an active sentence into a passive one in Urdu, follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify the Subject, Verb, and Object
– Active: علی (subject) کتاب (object) پڑھ رہا ہے (verb).
– Translation: Ali is reading the book.
Step 2: Move the Object to the Subject Position
– Passive: کتاب (subject) پڑھ (past participle) جا (auxiliary verb) رہی ہے (auxiliary verb).
Step 3: Conjugate the Auxiliary Verb “جانا” (to go)
– The auxiliary verb “جانا” must be conjugated to match the tense and gender of the subject in the passive sentence.
– Passive: کتاب (feminine noun, singular) پڑھی جا رہی ہے (present continuous tense).
Step 4: Optionally Include the Agent
– The agent (doer of the action) can be included using “کے ذریعے” (ke zarye) or omitted if the doer is unknown or irrelevant.
– Passive: کتاب پڑھی جا رہی ہے علی کے ذریعے.
– Translation: The book is being read by Ali.
Examples of Passive Voice in Different Tenses
Present Simple Tense
– Active: وہ (subject) خط (object) لکھتا ہے (verb).
– Translation: He writes the letter.
– Passive: خط (subject) لکھا جاتا ہے (verb) اس کے ذریعے.
– Translation: The letter is written by him.
Past Simple Tense
– Active: وہ (subject) گانا (object) گایا (verb).
– Translation: He sang the song.
– Passive: گانا (subject) گایا گیا (verb) اس کے ذریعے.
– Translation: The song was sung by him.
Future Simple Tense
– Active: وہ (subject) مکان (object) بنائے گا (verb).
– Translation: He will build the house.
– Passive: مکان (subject) بنایا جائے گا (verb) اس کے ذریعے.
– Translation: The house will be built by him.
Present Continuous Tense
– Active: وہ (subject) کیک (object) بنا رہی ہے (verb).
– Translation: She is making the cake.
– Passive: کیک (subject) بنایا جا رہا ہے (verb) اس کے ذریعے.
– Translation: The cake is being made by her.
Common Verbs and Their Past Participles in Urdu
To form the passive voice correctly, it is crucial to know the past participle forms of common verbs. Here is a list of some frequently used verbs and their past participles:
– کرنا (karna, to do) – کیا (kiya)
– لکھنا (likhna, to write) – لکھا (likha)
– پڑھنا (parhna, to read) – پڑھا (parha)
– کھانا (khana, to eat) – کھایا (khaya)
– بنانا (banana, to make) – بنایا (banaya)
– دیکھنا (dekhna, to see) – دیکھا (dekha)
– بولنا (bolna, to speak) – بولا (bola)
– پینا (peena, to drink) – پیا (piya)
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of passive voice in Urdu, try converting the following active sentences into passive ones. Answers are provided for reference.
Exercise 1
– Active: راشد نے درخت کو پانی دیا.
– Translation: Rashid watered the tree.
– Passive: درخت کو پانی دیا گیا راشد کے ذریعے.
– Translation: The tree was watered by Rashid.
Exercise 2
– Active: مریم نے خط لکھا.
– Translation: Maryam wrote the letter.
– Passive: خط لکھا گیا مریم کے ذریعے.
– Translation: The letter was written by Maryam.
Exercise 3
– Active: احمد نے تصویر بنائی.
– Translation: Ahmed drew the picture.
– Passive: تصویر بنائی گئی احمد کے ذریعے.
– Translation: The picture was drawn by Ahmed.
Exercise 4
– Active: علی نے کام ختم کیا.
– Translation: Ali finished the work.
– Passive: کام ختم کیا گیا علی کے ذریعے.
– Translation: The work was finished by Ali.
Additional Tips and Common Pitfalls
Tip 1: Pay Attention to Gender and Number
In Urdu, verbs and auxiliary verbs must agree in gender and number with the subject. This agreement is crucial for forming grammatically correct sentences.
Tip 2: Use Context to Determine the Agent
In many cases, the agent (doer of the action) might be implied and not explicitly mentioned. Use the context of the sentence to decide whether including the agent is necessary.
Common Pitfall 1: Misplacing the Auxiliary Verb
Ensure that the auxiliary verb “جانا” is correctly conjugated and placed in the sentence. Incorrect placement can lead to confusion and grammatical errors.
Common Pitfall 2: Overuse of Passive Voice
While the passive voice is useful, overusing it can make your speech or writing sound awkward and less direct. Use passive voice judiciously, especially in formal or academic contexts.
Conclusion
Mastering the passive voice in Urdu requires practice and attention to detail, but it opens up a new dimension of expression in your language skills. By understanding the structure and following the steps outlined in this article, you can confidently convert active sentences into passive ones. Remember to pay attention to gender, number, and context to ensure grammatical accuracy. With consistent practice, you’ll find that using the passive voice in Urdu becomes second nature, enriching your overall command of the language.
