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UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY202410 Marks
Q39.

The French surrendered Quebec to the English in 1759. (Change the Voice)

How to Approach

This question tests the understanding of voice transformation in English grammar. The approach involves identifying the subject, verb, and object in the active voice sentence and then rearranging them to form the passive voice. Key points to remember are the correct tense usage of the verb 'to be' and the past participle form of the main verb. The answer should be concise and grammatically accurate.

Model Answer

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Introduction

Voice transformation is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, involving the conversion of sentences from active to passive voice or vice versa. The active voice emphasizes the actor performing the action, while the passive voice focuses on the action itself and the receiver of the action. Understanding voice is crucial for clear and effective communication, and it’s a common element tested in English language papers, including those for competitive examinations like the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The given sentence, "The French surrendered Quebec to the English in 1759," is in the active voice and requires transformation into the passive voice.

The original sentence is: The French surrendered Quebec to the English in 1759.

Identifying the Components

Before transforming the sentence, let's identify its components:

  • Subject: The French
  • Verb: surrendered
  • Object: Quebec
  • Prepositional Phrase: to the English
  • Time: in 1759

Transforming to Passive Voice

The passive voice construction generally follows the pattern: Object + form of 'to be' + past participle of the verb + (by + subject). However, when a prepositional phrase like 'to' is present, it needs careful handling.

Here's the step-by-step transformation:

  1. The object, 'Quebec', becomes the subject of the passive voice sentence.
  2. The verb 'surrendered' needs to be changed to its past participle form, which is 'surrendered'.
  3. The appropriate form of 'to be' in the past tense is 'was'.
  4. The prepositional phrase 'to the English' becomes 'to the English'.
  5. The original subject, 'The French', becomes the agent and is introduced by 'by'.

The Passive Voice Sentence

Therefore, the transformed sentence in the passive voice is:

Quebec was surrendered to the English by the French in 1759.

Important Considerations

  • The tense remains consistent throughout the transformation.
  • The preposition 'to' is retained with the recipient of the action ('the English').
  • The agent ('the French') is introduced by 'by', but can sometimes be omitted if it's understood or unimportant.

Alternative Passive Voice Construction (Less Common)

While the above is the most standard passive voice construction, another, less common, form exists:

The English were surrendered Quebec by the French in 1759.

This construction is grammatically correct but less frequently used and can sound awkward. The first construction is preferred.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the passive voice transformation of the sentence "The French surrendered Quebec to the English in 1759" is "Quebec was surrendered to the English by the French in 1759." This transformation demonstrates a clear understanding of grammatical rules related to voice and tense. Mastering voice transformation is essential for precise and nuanced communication, particularly in formal writing and examinations.

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 itself and the receiver, often obscuring the actor.

Key Statistics

Approximately 20-30% of sentences in academic writing are in the passive voice (based on corpus linguistics studies as of 2023).

Source: Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA)

Studies suggest that overuse of the passive voice can reduce readability by up to 15% (based on readability scores like Flesch-Kincaid).

Source: Readability Guidelines, American Press Institute (2018)

Examples

Shakespearean Example

Shakespeare frequently used the passive voice in his plays, often for dramatic effect or to emphasize certain actions. For example, "Julius Caesar was assassinated" focuses on the event rather than the assassins.

Scientific Reporting

In scientific reports, the passive voice is often used to maintain objectivity and focus on the experiment or results rather than the researcher. For instance, "The solution was heated to 100°C."

Frequently Asked Questions

▶When should I use the passive voice?

Use the passive voice when the action is more important than the actor, when the actor is unknown or unimportant, or when you want to maintain objectivity.

▶Is the passive voice always bad?

No, the passive voice is not inherently bad. It has legitimate uses, but overuse can make writing unclear and cumbersome.

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