Question

Change the following from active to passive They were broadcasting the match at 8 pm.

• A. The match is broadcast at 8 pm.
• B. The match was broadcast at 8 pm.
• C. The match was being broadcast at 8 pm.
• D. The match has been broadcast at 8 pm.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The match was being broadcast at 8 pm.

Understanding Active to Passive Voice Conversion

• The Rule for Past Continuous Tense: When converting an active sentence in the Past Continuous tense (Subject + was/were + verb-ing + Object) to passive, the structure changes to: Object + was/were + being + past participle (V3) + by + Subject.

• Step-by-Step Breakdown:

  • Active Subject: 'They'

  • Active Verb: 'were broadcasting' (Past Continuous)

  • Object: 'the match'

  • Time Adverbial: 'at 8 pm' (Usually placed at the end or beginning of the sentence)

• Applying the Passive Construction:

  • The object ('the match') becomes the new subject.

  • Since 'the match' is singular, use 'was'.

  • Add 'being' to denote the continuous aspect.

  • The past participle of 'broadcast' is 'broadcast' (Note: broadcast, broadcast, broadcast is the standard conjugation).

  • The agent 'by them' is often implied or can be omitted, but in formal examinations, it is typically included or represented based on the provided options.

• Correct Sentence Construction: 'The match was being broadcast by them at 8 pm.'

• • Tense Errors: Students often confuse 'was being' with 'was been'. Always remember that for continuous tenses, 'being' follows the auxiliary verb.

  • Verb Forms: Ensure the correct V3 form is used. 'Broadcast' is irregular and remains the same in past participle form.

  • Placement of Time/Place: Time indicators like 'at 8 pm' should generally follow the verb phrase or be placed at the end to maintain clarity in passive voice.