English Grammar

Changing imperative sentences into the passive

The imperative sentence in the passive voice takes the following form:

Let + object + be + past participle

When the active voice is in the negative, the passive voice takes the following form:

Let not + object + be + past participle

Help me. (Active Voice)
Let me be helped. (Passive Voice)
Do it at once. (Active Voice)
Let it be done at once. (Passive Voice)
Carry it home. (Active Voice)
Let it be carried home. (Passive Voice)
Do not beat the dog. (Active Voice)
Let the dog not be beaten. OR Let not the dog be beaten. (Passive Voice)

Sometimes we want to begin the sentence with you so that the emphasis is on the person addressed. In such cases, the passive voice takes the following form:

Help me. (Active Voice)
Let me be helped. (Passive Voice)
You are requested to help me. (Passive Voice)
Don’t touch it. (Active Voice)
Let it not be touched. (Passive Voice)
You are warned not to touch it. (Passive Voice)

The passive form has to begin with you, when the object of the verb in the active voice is not given.

Work hard. (No object) (Active Voice)
You are requested to work hard. (Passive Voice)
Get out. (No object) (Active Voice)
You are ordered to get out. (Passive Voice)

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