In the previous quiz we were introduced to active and passive verbs and we learnt how to convert an active sentence into a passive sentence. We also saw that several changes need to be made to the sentences to convert them. The verbs also undergo change and another word is usually added when converting from active to passive voice. We also learnt that tenses assume importance and the verbs change according to the different forms. In this quiz we look at other tense forms - Present Continuous, Past Continuous, Future Continuous (will) and Present Perfect.
Have a look at these examples:
In the present continuous tense -
Active - ‘The mechanic IS REPAIRING the car.’
Passive - ‘The car IS BEING REPAIRED by the mechanic.’
In the present perfect tense -
Active - ‘Ants HAVE EATEN the sweets in the bowl.’
Passive - ‘The sweets in the bowl HAVE BEEN EATEN by ants.’
In the past continuous tense -
Active - ‘The nephews WERE ASSISTING the uncle to dress.’
Passive - 'The uncle WAS ASSISTED by the nephews to dress.’.
Note in the examples above how the verbs have changed. Note also that in both active and passive voices the tense remains the same. Also, the verbs have changed depending on whether they are regular verbs or irregular verbs. Similarly, the auxiliary verb has changed depending on the singular or plural form.
In the mechanic-car example both the subject and object are singular and hence the verb used is IS. In the ants-sweets example both the subject and object are plural and hence the verb used is HAVE. In the nephew-uncle example the subject is plural and the object is singular and hence the appropriate verbs WERE and WAS are used.
Take the quiz to learn about active and passive forms of verbs in the Present Continuous, Past Continuous, Future Continuous (will) and Present Perfect tense forms.