What is Passive Voice?
Passive voice is a grammatical construction where the focus shifts from the doer (subject) to the action or the recipient of the action (object). For example, in the sentence “The book was read by Meera,” the focus is on the book rather than Meera. In Marathi, just like in English, the passive voice is used to emphasize the action or to keep the doer anonymous.
Active vs. Passive Voice in Marathi
Before diving into passive voice, it is important to understand the difference between active and passive voice in Marathi.
Active voice: रामने पत्र लिहिले. (Rāmne patra lihile.) – Ram wrote the letter.
Passive voice: पत्र रामने लिहिले गेले. (Patra rāmne lihile gele.) – The letter was written by Ram.
In the passive construction, the object of the active sentence (पत्र – letter) becomes the subject, while the original subject (राम – Ram) is introduced with the postposition “ने” (ne), and the verb form changes accordingly.
How to Form the Passive Voice in Marathi
The formation of passive voice in Marathi involves three main steps:
1. Identify the Object
Find the object of the active sentence, as it will become the subject in the passive form.
2. Use the Appropriate Verb Form
Marathi utilizes a special passive verb form, often constructed using the verb root followed by “जा” (jā) or “हो” (ho) with appropriate tense markers. Commonly, “जा” (jā) is used for the passive construction.
Examples:
– लिहिले (lihile) – wrote (active)
– लिहिले गेले (lihile gele) – was written (passive)
3. Add the Agent (Optional)
If you want to mention who performed the action, use the postposition “ने” (ne).
Example:
– पत्र रामने लिहिले गेले. (Patra rāmne lihile gele.) – The letter was written by Ram.
Passive Voice with Different Tenses
The passive voice in Marathi can be constructed in various tenses. Here are some examples:
Present Tense:
– पुस्तक वाचले जाते. (Pustak vāchle jāte.) – The book is being read.
Past Tense:
– पत्र लिहिले गेले. (Patra lihile gele.) – The letter was written.
Future Tense:
– काम केले जाईल. (Kām kele jāīl.) – The work will be done.
When to Use Passive Voice in Marathi Writing
Passive voice is especially useful in the following contexts:
- When the doer is unknown or unimportant:
घर बांधले गेले आहे. (Ghar bāndhle gele āhe.) – The house has been built. - To emphasize the action or the recipient:
शिक्षकांनी विद्यार्थ्यांना पुरस्कार दिला गेला. (Shikṣakānni vidyārthyānnā puraskār dilā gelā.) – The students were awarded by the teachers. - In formal or academic writing to maintain objectivity.
Common Passive Constructions in Marathi
Some verbs and phrases are commonly used in passive forms:
- निर्णय घेतला गेला (nirṇay ghetlā gelā) – The decision was taken
- संपर्क साधला गेला (sampark sādhla gelā) – Contact was made
- प्रश्न विचारला गेला (praśn vicharla gelā) – The question was asked
Tips for Practicing Passive Voice in Marathi
- Transform active sentences into passive and vice versa to understand the structure.
- Read Marathi newspapers and notice passive constructions in news articles.
- Write short paragraphs using both voices to see how the focus and tone of your writing change.
- Use language learning tools like Talkpal to practice and get instant feedback.
Conclusion
Mastering the passive voice in Marathi writing not only improves your grammatical precision but also enriches your expressive abilities. Whether you are preparing for exams, writing official documents, or simply aiming to sound more native, incorporating passive constructions will set your Marathi apart. For more tips on learning Marathi grammar and other language skills, keep visiting Talkpal – your trusted AI language learning blog.
