Question

Fill in the blank with the correct passive verb for [5]:

• A. was purchased
• B. were purchased
• C. being purchased
• D. purchased

Answer 1

The correct option is A was purchased

A sentence is in active voice when the subject is the doer of the action.
A sentence is in passive voice when the new subject (object in active voice) is the receiver of that action.
The given sentence: "No gift ___ by him for anyone" requires a verb in passive voice form.
Option A: 'Was purchased' is in simple past tense (passive voice). It's the most suitable option, as the subject "No gift" receives the action "was purchased". Hence A is correct.
Option B: 'Were purchased' is also in the simple past tense, but 'were' is a plural verb whereas the subject is singular (gift). Hence option B is incorrect.
Option C: 'Being' is a participle, it does not function as a verb. Hence it does not determine the tense of the sentence (as 'is/are/am being' does). So, option C is incorrect.
Option D: 'Purchased' is a verb in active voice. It means that the subject performs the action. But here, it receives that action. Hence D is incorrect.