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UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY20115 Marks
Q17.

Rewrite the following sentences using the passive voice structure: 1. He gave her a book to read. 2. Even a child can handle this machine. 3. Who has put the book on the shelf? 4. Everyone rejected the bold idea. 5. Ramesh is driving Sunita's car.

How to Approach

This question tests the candidate's understanding of grammatical voice – active and passive. The approach should involve systematically converting each sentence from active to passive voice, paying attention to tense, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of auxiliary verbs. Each sentence should be addressed individually, demonstrating a clear grasp of the rules governing passive voice construction. The answer should be concise and grammatically accurate.

Model Answer

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Introduction

The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject receives the action rather than performing it. It is formed using a form of the verb 'to be' plus the past participle of the main verb. While active voice is generally preferred for its clarity and directness, the passive voice is useful in situations where the actor is unknown, unimportant, or to maintain objectivity. This exercise aims to demonstrate the ability to accurately transform sentences from the active to the passive voice, a fundamental skill in effective written communication, crucial for a civil servant’s report writing and communication.

Passive Voice Transformations

Here are the rewritten sentences in the passive voice:

  1. Original: He gave her a book to read.
  2. Passive: A book was given to her by him to read.

    3. Note: The 'to read' part remains unchanged as it's an infinitive of purpose.

  3. Original: Even a child can handle this machine.
  4. Passive: This machine can be handled even by a child.

    5. Note: The modal verb 'can' is retained in the passive construction.

  5. Original: Who has put the book on the shelf?
  6. Passive: By whom has the book been put on the shelf?

    7. Note: In interrogative sentences, the 'who' becomes 'by whom' and the auxiliary verb 'has' changes to 'has been'.

  7. Original: Everyone rejected the bold idea.
  8. Passive: The bold idea was rejected by everyone.

    9. Note: 'Everyone' acts as the subject in the active voice and is replaced by 'by everyone' in the passive voice.

  9. Original: Ramesh is driving Sunita's car.
  10. Passive: Sunita's car is being driven by Ramesh.

    11. Note: The present continuous tense requires 'is being' in the passive voice.

Key Considerations for Passive Voice Construction

  • Tense Consistency: Maintaining the original tense is crucial.
  • Auxiliary Verbs: Correct usage of 'be' verbs (is, am, are, was, were, been, being) is essential.
  • Past Participle: Using the correct past participle form of the main verb.
  • 'By' Phrase: The agent (the doer of the action) is often introduced by 'by'. However, it can be omitted if the agent is unknown or unimportant.

Example Table: Active vs. Passive Voice

Active Voice Passive Voice
The government launched the scheme. The scheme was launched by the government.
Scientists are conducting research. Research is being conducted by scientists.
The company will release the report. The report will be released by the company.

Conclusion

Successfully converting sentences from active to passive voice demonstrates a strong command of English grammar. While the active voice is generally preferred for its clarity, the passive voice has its specific applications, particularly in formal writing and situations where the actor is less important than the action itself. Mastering this skill is vital for effective communication, especially in the context of a civil servant’s duties, where precise and unambiguous language is paramount.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Active Voice
Active voice is a grammatical construction where the subject performs the action expressed by the verb. It emphasizes the actor and is generally more direct and concise.
Passive Voice
Passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject receives the action expressed by the verb. It emphasizes the action and the object of the action, rather than the actor.

Key Statistics

A study by the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) suggests that approximately 10-20% of sentences in academic writing are in the passive voice.

Source: Purdue OWL

Research indicates that overuse of the passive voice can decrease readability scores by up to 30% (based on Flesch-Kincaid readability tests).

Source: Readability Formulas: Information and Recommendations (2018)

Examples

Scientific Reporting

In scientific reports, the passive voice is often used to maintain objectivity. For example, instead of saying "We observed the reaction," a scientist might write "The reaction was observed."

Legal Documents

Legal documents frequently employ the passive voice to emphasize the action and avoid assigning blame. For instance, "The law was violated" rather than "Someone violated the law."

Frequently Asked Questions

▶When should I use the passive voice?

Use the passive voice when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action itself. It's also useful for maintaining objectivity in formal writing.

▶Is the passive voice always incorrect?

No, the passive voice is not inherently incorrect. However, overuse can make your writing sound awkward and indirect. It's best used strategically.

Topics Covered

General EnglishSentence StructureGrammar
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