Learn how to accurately convert the active sentence "I know him" into the passive voice ("He is known to me") and form correct tag questions.
Converting "I know him" to the Passive Voice
Mastering sentence transformations like changing the active voice to the passive voice is essential for building a strong foundation in English grammar. In the active voice, the subject performs the action. In the passive voice, the focus shifts to the object receiving the action.
However, a very common mistake learners make with the verb "know" is using the preposition "by." In standard English grammar, the verb "know" is always followed by the preposition "to" instead of "by" when forming the passive voice.
- Active Voice: I know him.
- Passive Voice: He is known to me.
For more detailed rules on transforming tricky sentences, visit our guide on English grammar rules and voice change.
Adding a Tag Question to "I know him"
A tag question is a small grammatical structure added to the end of a statement to turn it into a question, often used to seek agreement or confirm information. When the main clause is positive and in the simple present tense using the verb "know", the tag question uses the negative auxiliary verb "don't" followed by the subject pronoun.
- Statement: I know him.
- Tag Question: I know him, don't I?
Summary Table of Voice Change and Tag Questions
Review the quick reference table below to easily remember the transformations for "I know him" in different grammatical forms.
| Grammar Type | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Original (Active Voice) | I know him. |
| Passive Voice | He is known to me. |
| Tag Question | I know him, don't I? |
Continue practicing your sentence transformations to improve your fluency and accuracy. To explore more helpful lessons, check out our complete archive on english-grammarblog.blogspot.com today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we use "to" instead of "by" in "He is known to me"?
Certain stative verbs in English grammar, such as "know", "oblige", and "contain", take specific prepositions other than "by" in the passive voice. For "know," the correct preposition is always "to".
What is the negative tag question for "I know him"?
The correct negative tag question for the present simple statement "I know him" is "don't I?" because the main verb is in the simple present tense.
Where can I learn more English grammar rules?
You can find comprehensive lessons, exercises, and structural guides by browsing through English Grammar Blog.