Which of the following options is the most suitable conversion of the following sentence into active voice?
The injured man must be taken to the hospital at once.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
Take the injured man to the hospital at once.
Explanation
The original passive sentence contains the modal passive structure "must be + past participle (taken)" and has an implied or hidden agent (it does not explicitly say who must take him). When dealing with passive sentences that convey an order, advice, or an urgent necessity without a specified agent, the active conversion is written as an imperative sentence (a direct command or request starting with the base verb). Therefore, "must be taken" becomes the active imperative verb "Take".
The other options are incorrect because they violate voice and tense rules. Option 1 is grammatically nonsensical ("must be taken the..."). Option 2 incorrectly shifts the subject to "The hospital", distorting the meaning. Option 4 is simply another way to write the sentence in the passive voice using "Let".
Key Points
When a passive voice sentence expresses an urgent duty or suggestion and lacks an explicit "by someone" phrase, look for an active imperative sentence that starts directly with the verb. This approach creates a smooth, naturally phrased command while keeping the original intent.