English Language

Sentence Transformation

558 Questions

Sentence transformation questions evaluate grammatical accuracy in converting sentences between active and passive voice, as well as direct and indirect speech. The focus lies on altering sentence structures without changing the original meaning while maintaining correct tense and verb forms. This is a highly weighted English language topic in SSC and banking exams.

Active and passive voiceDirect and indirect speechNarration changeTense consistencyVerb form transformation

Sentence Transformation Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

He surreptitiously slipped the card into his pocket.

  1. The card was slipped surreptitiously in his pocket by him.

  2. The card was surreptitiously slipped into his pocket by him.

  3. The card was slipped into his pocket by him surreptitiously.

  4. The card surreptitiously was slipped into his pocket.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of verb with the helping verb. This is a case of past simple tense. We use 'was/were' with the third form of verb in passive voice in this tense. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

The lift man was brooding over the insult.

  1. The insult was being brooded over by the liftman.

  2. The insult was brooded over by the liftman.

  3. The insult by the liftman was being brooded over.

  4. Brooding over the insult was being done by the liftman.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of verb with the helping verb. This is a case of present continuous tense. We use 'was/were + with' the third form of verb in passive voice in this tense. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested select the one which best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

His visit could not be kept a secret.

  1. We could not keep his visit a secret.

  2. I could not keep his visit a secret.

  3. You not keep his visit a secret.

  4. He could not keep his visit a secret.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. Case of past simple tense. If the subject is missing in passive voice, we provide the same while changing the voice. Modal remains unchanged.

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested select the one which best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

They say hope sustains life.

  1. It is said hope sustains life.

  2. It is said that hope sustains life.

  3. It is said by them that hope sustains life.

  4. It is said that hopes sustain life.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Case of present simple tense. In such cases, we use the third form of the verb with 'is/am/are'. Subject 'they' has been refered to generally. No need to take it in passive voice.

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested select the one which best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

Why was he not obeying your orders?

  1. Why were your orders not being obeyed by him?

  2. Were your orders not being obeyed by him?

  3. Why were your orders not being obeyed?

  4. Why was your order not being obeyed by him?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Case of interrogative sentence in past simple tense. We use 'was/were' with the third form of the verb in passive voice in this tense.

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested select the one which best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

One expects better behaviour of a man like you.

  1. Better behaviour is expected from a man like you.

  2. Better behaviour is expected by one of a man like you.

  3. Better behaviour is expected of a man like you.

  4. Better behaviour is expected by one from a man like you.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Case of present simple tense. In such cases, we use the third form of the verb with 'is/am/are'. No need to mention 'one' as the object.

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested select the one which best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

Why are they leaving their homes at such an early hour?

  1. Why are their homes being left by them at such an early hour?

  2. Why are their homes being left at such an early hour?

  3. Why their homes are being left by them at such an early hour?

  4. Why at such an early hour are their homes being left by them?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Case of present continuous tense. We use 'is/are + being' with the third form of the verb in passive voice in this tense.

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one that best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

God helps those who help themselves.

  1. Those who help themselves are helped by God.

  2. They are helped by God who help themselves.

  3. Those who are helped by themselves are helped by God.

  4. Those who help are helped by God.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Case of present simple tense. In such cases, we use the third form of the verb with 'is/am/are'. Here, we need to change both the subjects (God and who) into passive voice. Hence, option 3.  

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one that best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

He has been compelled to retire from the contest.

  1. Somebody has been compelled to retire from the contest.

  2. Circumstances have been compelled him to retire from the contest.

  3. Circumstances have compelled him to retire from the contest.

  4. Somebody has compelled him to retire from the contest.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Active voice of present perfect continuous tense is present perfect tense. One is compelled by the circumstances.  

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one that best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

How have you travelled all the way?

  1. How has all the way travelled by you?

  2. How has all the way been travelled by you?

  3. How all the way have you been travelling?

  4. How has all the way been travelled for by you?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Active voice of present perfect continuous tense is present perfect tense. Preposition 'for' is redundant in option 4. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one that best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

Harish viewed this question as a serious breach of promise.

  1. This question was viewed as a serious breach of promise by Harish.

  2. This question had been viewed as a serious breach of promise by Harish.

  3. This question was viewed by Harish as a serious breach of promise.

  4. This question was viewed by Harish to be a serious breach of promise.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Case of past simple tense. We use 'was/were' with the third form of the verb in passive voice in this tense. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one that best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

I remember my sister taking me to the museum.

  1. I remember when I was being taken to the museum by my sister.

  2. I remember myself being taken to the museum by my sister.

  3. I remember I was taken to the museum by my sister.

  4. I remember being taken to the museum by my sister.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Voice relates to the verb clause only. 'I remember' remains the same. The second art, i.e. 'my sister taking me' (present continuous tense) needs to be replaced by 'being taken to'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one that best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

Mr. Hudson assured me that it could do no harm.

  1. I was assured that no harm could be done by it by Mr. Hudson.

  2. I was assured by Mr. Hudson that no harm could be done by it.

  3. I was assured by Mr. Hudson that no harm could come of it.

  4. I was assured by Mr. Hudson that no harm can be done by it.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Case of past simple tense. We use 'was/were' with the third form of the verb in passive voice in this tense. Modal remains unchanged. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one that best converts the given sentence into passive or active voice.

Mona was writing a letter to her father.

  1. A letter was written to her father by Mona.

  2. Her father was being written a letter to by Mona.

  3. A letter was being written by Mona to her father.

  4. A letter to her father was getting written by Mona.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

While changing the voice, we interchange the respective places of the subject and the object. In passive voice, we always use the third form of the verb with the helping verb. Case of past continuous tense. We use 'was/were + being' with the third form of the verb in passive voice in this tense.