Convert the sentence provided below from its passive voice structure to an active voice structure:
The rare manuscripts had been preserved meticulously by the archivists before the fire broke out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
The archivists had preserved the rare manuscripts meticulously before the fire broke out.
Explanation
The given passive voice sentence is in the Past Perfect Tense, indicated by the structure "had been + V3" (had been preserved).
To convert a Past Perfect sentence from passive voice to active voice, follow these structural rules:
Identify the active agent following "by", which is "the archivists". This becomes the new subject.
Identify the passive object, which is "the rare manuscripts". This becomes the new direct object.
Convert the verb phrase by removing "been" to maintain the active Past Perfect structure: "had + V3" (had preserved).
Key Points
Passive Formula: Subject + had been + V3 + by + Agent
Active Formula: Agent (Subject) + had + V3 + Object