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Question

Select the correct active voice of the given sentence.

What should be done with my hands when I speak in public?

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2020-21 Previous Year Paper (15-Nov-2021) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is

What should I do with my hands when I speak in public?

In English grammar, understanding the difference between active and passive voice is crucial for constructing clear and concise sentences. This question asks us to identify the correct active voice form of a given passive voice sentence.

Understanding Voice in English Grammar

Voice refers to the form of a verb that indicates whether the subject of the sentence performs or receives the action.

  • Active Voice: In the active voice, the subject performs the action expressed by the verb. The focus is on the doer of the action.
  • Passive Voice: In the passive voice, the subject receives the action. The focus is on the action itself, or the recipient of the action, rather than the doer. The doer is often omitted or placed in a "by the agent" phrase.

Analyzing the Given Sentence

The original sentence is: "What should be done with my hands when I speak in public?"

Let's break down this sentence:

  • The verb phrase is "should be done." This structure (modal verb + be + past participle) is a clear indicator of passive voice.
  • The subject ("what") is receiving the action ("done").
  • The doer of the action is implied but not explicitly stated as the subject. The context suggests "I" am the one who needs to do something.

Transforming to Active Voice

To convert a passive voice sentence to active voice, we need to identify the doer of the action and make them the subject of the sentence. The verb form also needs to change from passive to active.

Steps for Transformation:

  1. Identify the implied doer: In "What should be done with my hands when I speak in public?", the person speaking ("I") is the one who needs to perform the action regarding their hands. So, 'I' will be our new subject.
  2. Change the verb from passive to active: "should be done" becomes "should do".
  3. Rearrange the sentence: Place the new subject ('I') before the active verb ('should do'), and maintain the original meaning and question structure.

Applying these steps:

  • Original Passive: What should be done with my hands when I speak in public?
  • Implied doer: I
  • Active verb: should do
  • New Active Sentence Structure: What should I do with my hands when I speak in public?

Evaluating the Options

Let's examine each option based on our understanding of active voice transformation:


Option Analysis Correctness
1. What should I do when I speak with my hands in public? This option changes the placement of "with my hands," altering the original meaning. The original question asks what to do with the hands, not what to do when speaking with the hands. Incorrect
2. What should I do with my hands when I speak in public? This option correctly identifies "I" as the subject and changes "should be done" to "should do". It maintains the original meaning and structure, asking what action "I" should perform with "my hands". Correct
3. What shall I do when I speak with my hands in public? This option uses "shall" instead of "should" (which can imply a different nuance or formality, though "should" is more common for advice/recommendation) and also misplaces "with my hands" similar to option 1. Incorrect
4. What should be done when I speak in public with my hands? This option is still in the passive voice ("should be done") and also misplaces "with my hands", similar to option 1. It does not convert to active voice. Incorrect

Conclusion on Active Voice

Based on the detailed analysis, the only option that successfully converts the passive voice sentence "What should be done with my hands when I speak in public?" into its correct active voice form while preserving the original meaning is "What should I do with my hands when I speak in public?". This sentence clearly states who is performing the action ("I") and what action they should perform ("do") with respect to their hands.

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Similar Questions

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Important Questions from Active and Passive Voice

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