Directions: Select the option that expresses the given sentence in passive voice. You can solve this problem.
This problem can be solved by you.
Understanding Active and Passive Voice with Modals
The question asks us to convert a sentence from active voice to passive voice. The original sentence is "You can solve this problem." This sentence uses a modal verb, which requires a specific rule for conversion.
What is Active Voice?
In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. The structure is typically: Subject + Verb + Object.
Example: You (Subject) can solve (Verb) this problem (Object).
What is Passive Voice?
In passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action. The focus is on the action itself or the object receiving the action. The structure is typically: Object + Verb (be + past participle) + (by + Subject).
Converting Sentences with Modal Verbs to Passive Voice
When a sentence in active voice contains a modal verb (like can, could, will, would, may, might, must, should, ought to), the passive voice structure changes slightly. The rule is:
Passive Structure: Object + Modal Verb + be + Past Participle of the Main Verb + (by + Subject)
Applying the Rule to "You can solve this problem"
Let's break down the given active sentence:
- Subject: You
- Modal Verb: can
- Main Verb: solve
- Object: this problem
Now, let's apply the passive voice rule for modal verbs:
- Start with the Object: This problem
- Add the Modal Verb: can
- Add 'be': be
- Add the Past Participle of 'solve' (solved): solved
- Add '(by + Subject)': by you
Putting it all together, the passive voice sentence is: This problem can be solved by you.
Analyzing the Options
Let's examine the provided options based on our converted sentence:
| Option | Sentence | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | This problem can be solved by you. | This matches the passive voice structure we derived: Object (This problem) + Modal (can) + be + Past Participle (solved) + by Subject (by you). This option correctly converts the sentence. |
| 2 | This problem might be solved by you. | This option uses the modal verb 'might' instead of 'can'. While grammatically correct as a sentence, it changes the meaning of the original sentence by using a different modal. The passive voice must use the same modal verb as the active voice sentence. |
| 3 | This problem ought to be solved by you. | This option uses the modal verb 'ought to' instead of 'can'. Similar to option 2, it changes the meaning of the original sentence by using a different modal. |
| 4 | This problem should be solved by you. | This option uses the modal verb 'should' instead of 'can'. Again, this changes the meaning by substituting the original modal. |
Conclusion
Only Option 1 correctly transforms the sentence "You can solve this problem" into passive voice by following the rules for converting sentences with modal verbs, retaining the original modal verb 'can'.
Revision Table: Active vs. Passive Voice with Modals
| Feature | Active Voice (with Modal) | Passive Voice (with Modal) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | The doer of the action (Subject) | The action or the receiver of the action (Object) |
| Structure | Subject + Modal + Verb (base form) + Object | Object + Modal + be + Past Participle + (by + Subject) |
| Example | They can build a house. | A house can be built by them. |
| Example | She should finish the work. | The work should be finished by her. |
Additional Information: Using 'by + Subject'
In passive voice, the phrase 'by + Subject' is often included when the doer of the action is important to mention. However, it can be omitted if the doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from the context.
For example, in "The window was broken," we don't know who broke it, so 'by someone' is omitted. In "The law was passed by the parliament," mentioning 'by the parliament' is important.
In the sentence "This problem can be solved by you," including 'by you' specifies who has the ability to solve the problem, making the 'by + Subject' phrase relevant.
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Important Questions from Active and Passive Voice
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