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UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY20125 Marks
Q43.

They awarded her the degree at the Convocation.

How to Approach

This question tests basic English grammar and understanding of passive voice. The approach should be to deconstruct the sentence, identify the subject, verb, and object, and then explain the grammatical structure. Focus on explaining the passive voice construction and its implications. The answer should be concise and grammatically accurate, demonstrating a clear understanding of English sentence structure. No external knowledge is required.

Model Answer

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Introduction

The sentence "They awarded her the degree at the Convocation" is a grammatically correct statement employing the passive voice. Understanding the nuances of active and passive voice is fundamental to effective communication. The passive voice shifts the focus from the actor (the one performing the action) to the receiver of the action. This sentence exemplifies this structure, highlighting the recipient of the degree – ‘her’ – and the action performed upon her. This explanation will delve into the grammatical components of the sentence and the implications of using the passive voice.

The sentence is constructed in the passive voice. Let's break down its components:

Grammatical Analysis

  • Subject: ‘Her’ – the recipient of the action.
  • Verb: ‘Was awarded’ – the passive form of the verb ‘award’. The auxiliary verb ‘were’ is used because the subject is singular.
  • Agent (implied): ‘They’ – the performers of the action. In passive voice, the agent is often omitted or introduced with ‘by’.
  • Object: ‘The degree’ – what was awarded.
  • Adverbial Phrase: ‘At the Convocation’ – provides information about where the action took place.

Active Voice Equivalent

The active voice equivalent of this sentence would be: “They awarded the degree to her at the Convocation.” Notice the shift in emphasis. In the active voice, ‘They’ is the subject and performs the action directly.

Passive Voice Construction

The passive voice is formed using the following structure:

Be + Past Participle of the Verb (+ by + Agent)

In this case: Was + Awarded (+ by They)

Implications of Using Passive Voice

  • Focus on the Action, Not the Actor: The passive voice is often used when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or deliberately obscured.
  • Formal Tone: It can create a more formal and objective tone.
  • Avoiding Responsibility: Sometimes, the passive voice is used to avoid assigning blame or responsibility.

Examples of Passive Voice

  • The report was submitted by the committee.
  • The window was broken. (Agent unknown)
  • Mistakes were made. (Avoiding responsibility)

The sentence in question effectively utilizes the passive voice to emphasize the awarding of the degree rather than the entity performing the awarding. This is a common and acceptable grammatical construction, particularly in formal contexts like academic ceremonies (Convocation).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the sentence "They awarded her the degree at the Convocation" is a clear example of the passive voice in English grammar. Understanding the structure and implications of the passive voice is crucial for both effective writing and comprehension. While the active voice is often preferred for its directness, the passive voice serves a valuable purpose in specific contexts, such as emphasizing the action itself or maintaining a formal tone.

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

Passive Voice
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.
Agent
In a passive sentence, the agent is the entity that performs the action. It is often introduced by the preposition "by," but can be omitted if it is unknown or unimportant.

Key Statistics

Studies suggest that passive voice constructions account for approximately 10-20% of written English, varying significantly by genre and context. (Based on corpus linguistics research as of 2023)

Source: Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA)

A study by the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) found that using active voice improves comprehension by up to 40% in government documents. (Based on research as of 2020)

Source: PLAIN - Plain Language Action and Information Network

Examples

Scientific Reporting

In scientific papers, the passive voice is frequently used to describe procedures and results, focusing on the experiment itself rather than the researcher. For example, "The solution was heated to 100°C."

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Is the passive voice always incorrect?

No, the passive voice is not inherently incorrect. It is a useful grammatical tool, but it should be used deliberately and appropriately. Overuse can lead to wordy and unclear writing.

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