Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No improvement’. In the past, promises have been made, kept, and broken, and they are being make yet again.
they are being made
Understanding Sentence Improvement: Promises Being Made
The original sentence is: "In the past, promises have been made, kept, and broken, and they are being make yet again." We need to find the most appropriate option to replace the underlined segment "make".
Let's analyze the underlined part. The phrase "they are being make" refers to promises being created or articulated at the present time. The structure "are being + verb" is used for the present continuous passive voice. The passive voice is used when the action is more important than the doer, or when the doer is unknown or obvious. In this case, the promises are receiving the action of being 'made'.
Grammar Rule: Present Continuous Passive Voice
The structure for the present continuous passive voice is:
Subject + am / is / are + being + Past Participle of the main verb
In our sentence:
- The subject is "they" (referring to "promises"), which is plural.
- The auxiliary verb should be "are" because the subject is plural.
- We need "being" after "are".
- We need the past participle form of the verb "make".
The past participle of the verb "make" is "made".
Therefore, the correct form should be "they are being made".
Analyzing the Options
Let's evaluate the given options based on the grammar rule:
-
they are being made
This option uses "they" (plural subject), "are being" (correct auxiliary for present continuous passive with plural subject), and "made" (correct past participle of 'make'). This matches the required structure.
-
No improvement
This means the original "they are being make" is correct. However, "make" is the base form of the verb, not the past participle. The passive voice requires the past participle. So, this option is incorrect.
-
they are been make
This option uses "been" instead of "being". "Been" is used in perfect tenses (e.g., present perfect passive: have/has been + past participle). It also uses "make" instead of the required past participle "made". This option is grammatically incorrect.
-
it is being made
This option changes the subject from "they" (referring to promises, plural) to "it" (singular) and uses "is" (singular auxiliary). Since the original subject is "they" (plural), this option introduces a subject-verb agreement error and changes the meaning by referring to something singular. This option is incorrect.
Based on the analysis, the only grammatically correct option that fits the context and uses the correct present continuous passive structure is "they are being made".
Conclusion
The underlined segment "make" should be replaced with "made" to form the correct present continuous passive voice. The complete correct phrase is "they are being made".
| Incorrect | Correct | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| they are being make | they are being made | Passive voice requires the past participle ("made"), not the base form ("make"). |
Revision Table: Key Verb Forms of 'Make'
| Form | Verb | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Base Form | make | They make promises. (Present Simple Active) |
| Past Simple | made | They made a promise yesterday. (Past Simple Active) |
| Past Participle | made | Promises are made. (Present Simple Passive) Promises have been made. (Present Perfect Passive) Promises are being made. (Present Continuous Passive) |
| Present Participle / -ing Form | making | They are making promises. (Present Continuous Active) |
Additional Information: Passive Voice Tenses
Understanding the passive voice in different tenses is crucial for sentence improvement. Here are a few examples of the verb 'make' in the passive voice:
- Simple Present Passive: Subject + am/is/are + Past Participle.
Example: Promises are made easily. - Simple Past Passive: Subject + was/were + Past Participle.
Example: A promise was made last week. - Present Perfect Passive: Subject + have/has been + Past Participle.
Example: Many promises have been made over the years. - Past Perfect Passive: Subject + had been + Past Participle.
Example: The promise had been made before the meeting started. - Simple Future Passive: Subject + will be + Past Participle.
Example: A new promise will be made tomorrow. - Present Continuous Passive: Subject + am/is/are being + Past Participle.
Example: Promises are being made right now. (As in the question)
The key is always using the correct form of the auxiliary verb (to be) for the tense and matching it with the subject, followed by 'being' (if continuous) and the past participle of the main verb.
Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, No substitution required.
Not knowing the language and having no acquaintances in the city, he found it hard getting work.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
Gayatri informed one of the directors that she has sent the material for printing.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select option No substitution required.
We had been almost halfway there when the left rear tyre blew out
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select option No substitution required.
The man spent a lot because he had so large amount of money.
- Select the word segment that substitutes (replaces) the bracketed word segment correctly and completes the sentence meaningfully. Select the option 'no correction required' if the sentence is correct as given.
In simple words ‘Welfare’ (mean a state of well being and happy.)
