From the alternatives given below, select the correct passive voice of the following sentence.
The usher must have made the guests sit by the time the dinner was ready.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer: The guests must have been made to sit by the usher by the time the dinner was ready.
Explanation:
• Modal Perfect Rule: The active structure must have + V3 changes to must have been + V3 in the passive voice.
• Causative Verb Rule: When the verb make is followed by a bare infinitive in the active voice (made the guests sit), it takes a to-infinitive in the passive voice (made to sit).
• The subordinate time clause (by the time the dinner was ready) remains unchanged.
Quick Tip: Remember that verbs like make, see, hear, and help drop 'to' in active voice but require 'to' in passive voice (e.g., He made me cry → I was made to cry).