Question

Rewrite the following sentence by changing its voice (Passive/Active voice):

Who gave you this letter?

• A. This letter is given to you by whom?
• B. This letter had given to you by whom?
• C. Was this letter given to you?
• D. By whom was this letter given to you?

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

A sentence is in the active voice when the subject performs an action.

A sentence is said to be in the passive voice when the subject receives an action.

The given sentence is in active form and will be changed to passive. While changing an interrogative sentence to passive voice, the subject 'who' changes to an object 'by whom'.

The passive form of 'gave' in the simple past tense is 'was/were given'.

This can be seen in option D 'was this letter given', hence it's the right answer.

Option A: This option expresses the present tense 'is', whereas the sentence is in the past 'gave'.

Option B: Similarly, 'had given' is in the past perfect tense. Also, the verb form 'had given' is in the active voice.

Option C: This option has changed in meaning. It does not ask 'who' gave the letter, but asks if the letter was given in the first place.

Hence options A, B and C are incorrect.