Question

From the options below, identify the sentence which is in the passive voice:

• A. The building was inaugurated by the Chief Minister.
• B. The Chief Minister inaugurated the building.
• C. The Chief Minister did not inaugurate the building.
• D. The building is still closed.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

The building was inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

A sentence is in active or passive voice depending on whether its verb is in active or passive voice. A verb is in active voice when its form shows that the subject does something/ some action. A verb is in passive voice when something is done to the subject. In passive voice, the doer of the action may appear in the phrase, "by .....". This could be one easy way of identifying a sentence in passive voice. However, in some cases, this phrase is omitted.

In option A, The subject is "building" and the action word performed on the subject is "was inaugurated". Note that the phrase, "by the Chief Minister" is used, indicating that "the Chief Minister is the doer of the action. Hence, this sentence is in the passive voice. Option A is correct.

In option B, the subject is "The Chief Minister". The action performed by the subject is "inaugurated". This sentence is in the active voice. Option B is incorrect.

In option C, The subject is "The Chief Minister" and the action performed by the subject is "did not inaugurate". This sentence is in the active voice. Option C is incorrect.

In option D, The subject is "building". The action performed by the subject is "is", which is the present tense form of the verb be. Hence this sentence is in the active voice. Option D is incorrect.