Convert the sentence provided below from its passive voice structure to an active voice structure:
The escaped prisoner was believed to have been hiding in the caves before being recaptured.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Authorities believed the escaped prisoner was hiding in the caves before being recaptured.
Type of sentence: Assertive
Tense: Past perfect continuous (embedded), with reporting verb in simple past
Given voice: Passive
Subject: — (not explicitly mentioned; understood: people/authorities)
Object: The escaped prisoner
Structure for conversion:
-
Passive voice: Object + was/were + believed + to have been + V-ing…
-
Active voice: Subject + believed + object + was/were + V-ing…
Here, “was believed” must become authorities believed, because the passive subject "the escaped prisoner" must become the object in the active form.
Converted sentence:
Authorities believed the escaped prisoner was hiding in the caves before being recaptured.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.