Understanding Passive Voice: Can 'He Comes Late' Be Changed?

The concept of passive voice can sometimes be confusing, especially when certain verbs, such as come, do not lend themselves to conversion. In this article, we will explore how and why certain sentences cannot be effectively transformed into the passive voice, particularly focusing on the phrase he comes late.

Can All Sentences Be Converted to Passive Voice?

Generally speaking, not all sentences can be transformed into the passive voice. This is because the passive voice requires a direct object, which is the recipient of the action. A sentence needs an object in order to effectively shift the focus to the action itself rather than the subject performing the action.

Case of 'He Comes Late'

The Basic Sentence

The sentence He comes late is a classic example of a sentence that cannot be changed into the passive voice. This is due to the verb come, which is an intransitive verb. Intransitive verbs do not require a direct object and therefore have no passive form.

Active vs. Passive Voice

In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs an action on an object. For example, in the sentence I missed the meeting, the subject I (the active subject) misses (performs the action) the object the meeting. However, in the passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action, as in The meeting was missed by me.

An Attempt at Converting 'He Comes Late'

While he comes late cannot be changed into passive voice directly, it can still be rephrased in a way that conveys a similar meaning. As an example, we could say His arrival is delayed or His arrival is belated. These phrases emphasize the timing of his arrival rather than his act of coming.

Explanation of Active and Passive Voice

Active and passive voices can often be confusing, especially for non-native speakers. Here's a simple explanation of the key differences:

Active Voice: In this voice, the subject of the verb performs an action on an object. Passive Voice: In this voice, the subject of the verb receives the action of the verb.

Examples of Active and Passive Sentences

Here are a few examples to clarify:

Active Voice:

Active: I ate the cake. Passive: The cake was eaten by me.

Active Voice:

Active: The boys broke the window. Passive: The window was broken.

Active Voice:

Active: You should pay the bills. Passive: The bills should be paid.

Conclusion

In summary, the sentence he comes late does not have a direct object, making it impossible to rewrite it in passive voice. Instead, one might consider alternatives such as His arrival is delayed or His arrival is belated to convey the idea of lateness in a more descriptive manner. Understanding the differences between active and passive voice can greatly enhance your writing skills and make your sentences more effective and engaging.