Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
In English grammar, voice refers to the form of a verb that shows whether the subject performs the action (active voice) or is the recipient of the action (passive voice). The passive voice is formed using a form of the verb 'to be' plus the past participle of the main verb. Correctly transforming sentences between active and passive voice is a fundamental language skill, crucial for clear and concise communication. The given sentence, "A reward was given to him by the Governor," is already in the passive voice, and the question implicitly asks for its active voice equivalent.
Transformation to Active Voice
The given sentence, "A reward was given to him by the Governor," is in the passive voice. To convert it to the active voice, we need to identify the agent (the one performing the action) and the recipient (the one receiving the action). In this case, the Governor is the agent, and the reward is the recipient.
Steps for Conversion
- Identify the components:
- Passive Verb: was given
- Subject (recipient): A reward
- Agent (prepositional phrase): by the Governor
- Indirect Object: to him
- Reconstruct the sentence: The agent becomes the subject, and the verb changes to the appropriate active voice form.
Therefore, the active voice equivalent of the sentence is: "The Governor gave a reward to him."
Grammatical Explanation
The passive voice uses the structure: Object + be verb + past participle + (by + subject). The active voice structure is: Subject + verb + object. The transformation involves shifting the object of the passive sentence to become the subject of the active sentence, and changing the verb form accordingly. The 'be' verb (was) is removed, and the past participle (given) is changed to the past tense (gave) to match the subject (The Governor).
Illustrative Table: Active vs. Passive Voice
| Feature | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Performs the action | Receives the action |
| Verb | Direct and forceful | Often uses 'be' verbs |
| Emphasis | On the actor | On the action itself |
| Example | The dog chased the ball. | The ball was chased by the dog. |
It's important to note that while both forms are grammatically correct, the active voice is generally preferred for its clarity and directness. However, the passive voice is useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action itself.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the active voice equivalent of the sentence "A reward was given to him by the Governor" is "The Governor gave a reward to him." This transformation demonstrates a clear understanding of the principles of active and passive voice in English grammar. Mastering this skill is essential for effective written and verbal communication, allowing for precise and unambiguous expression of ideas.
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.