Convert the sentence provided below from its passive voice structure to an active voice structure:
The security protocols had been overlooked by the administration prior to the incident.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Correct Answer
The administration had overlooked the security protocols prior to the incident.
Explanation
The given sentence is in the passive voice of the Past Perfect Tense, which can be identified by the auxiliary verb pattern had been + past participle (V3).
To convert this structure back to the active voice, we omit the passive helper word "been" and shift the active agent to the front of the sentence while keeping the timeline intact:
Passive Formula: Subject + had been + V3 + by + Agent
Active Formula: Agent (The administration) + had + V3 (overlooked) + Object (the security protocols)
The remaining descriptive phrase ("prior to the incident") stays exactly the same at the end of the sentence.
Key Points
Tense: Past Perfect
Verb Conversion: had been overlooked (Passive) → had overlooked (Active)