Who stole the Pen?[Choose the correct voice:]
A. The Pen was stole by who?
B. Who was the Pen stolen by?
C. By whom the Pen was stolen?
D. By whom was the Pen stolen?
Explanation:
The correct passive voice construction is “By whom was the Pen stolen?” This form adheres to proper grammatical structure, placing the emphasis on the doer of the action, which is ‘whom’ in this case.
Why option D is the correct answer compared to option C?
In English, questions that begin with interrogative pronouns like “who,” “whom,” “what,” “which,” “whose,” and “how” often involve complex sentence structures, especially when transformed into passive voice.
Option C, “By whom the Pen was stolen?”, contains the correct components but has a less conventional word order. In English, when forming questions in passive voice, the typical structure involves starting with the auxiliary verb, followed by the subject, and then the main verb. The correct form should be “By whom was the Pen stolen?”.
Breaking it down further:
- “By whom”: This phrase correctly introduces the doer of the action in a passive voice question.
- “was”: This auxiliary verb is necessary for constructing passive voice.
- “the Pen”: This is the subject of the passive sentence.
- “stolen”: This is the past participle of the main verb, indicating the action.
So, option D, “By whom was the Pen stolen?”, adheres to the standard structure for passive voice questions in English, making it the correct and more grammatically accurate choice. It maintains clarity and follows the conventional order of passive voice construction.
Exploring Passive Voice in English Grammar
Passive voice is a grammatical construction that emphasizes the action rather than the person or thing performing the action. In English, constructing sentences in passive voice involves changing the order of the words and using the auxiliary verb “to be” along with the past participle of the main verb.
Understanding Passive Voice
Passive voice is formed by rearranging the sentence structure, typically placing the object of the action at the beginning. The focus is shifted from the doer of the action to the action itself. It’s essential to use passive voice judiciously, as overuse can lead to unclear or awkward sentences.
Correct Usage Example
Consider the question “Who stole the Pen?” The passive voice counterpart would be “By whom was the Pen stolen?” Here, the emphasis is on the act of stealing rather than the person who committed the theft.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When constructing passive sentences, it’s crucial to maintain proper word order and use the correct auxiliary verbs. Avoid common mistakes like mismatched verb forms or unclear phrasing. Practice identifying when passive voice is appropriate for conveying a message effectively.
Benefits of Using Passive Voice
Passive voice can be useful in various writing situations, such as when the doer of the action is unknown, less important, or when you want to shift the focus to the action itself. Understanding when to use passive voice adds versatility to your writing style.
In conclusion, while active voice is generally preferred for its clarity and directness, passive voice has its place in effective communication. By mastering both, writers can skillfully navigate different contexts and convey their messages with precision.