In this English grammar question, a sentence is given in active voice. Select the option that best expresses the same idea in passive voice. Sentence: "You need to water the plants daily."

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: The plants need to be watered daily by you.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:

This question focuses on a sentence that gives a general requirement using the verb "need". The original sentence states that you must water the plants every day. The answer must present this requirement in passive voice, where the plants become the subject and the sense of necessity remains.


Given Data / Assumptions:

- Original sentence: "You need to water the plants daily."

- Subject in the active sentence: "you".

- Object: "the plants".

- The structure "need to water" expresses necessity, and "daily" shows frequency.

- The passive version must show that the plants require watering each day by the same person.


Concept / Approach:

When "need to" is used in an active sentence, the passive form usually changes to "need to be plus past participle". The object of the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive sentence. The adverb of frequency "daily" should keep its place near the main verb and remain clearly connected with the action of watering. The phrase "by you" can be included to indicate who should carry out this requirement.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify subject, verb, and object. Subject: you. Verb phrase: need to water. Object: the plants. Adverb: daily. Step 2: Move "the plants" into the subject position. Step 3: Convert "need to water" into "need to be watered". Step 4: Place "daily" in a natural position after "be watered". Step 5: Add "by you" and check that the sentence still expresses a daily requirement.


Verification / Alternative check:

The passive sentence "The plants need to be watered daily by you." uses the pattern "need to be watered", keeps the frequency word "daily", and clearly states that the plants require daily watering by the listener. The meaning remains the same as in the original active sentence, so this is the correct transformation.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Several options attempt to use continuous or awkward structures such as "are needing" or "are to water", which are grammatically incorrect or unnatural in this context. Others mix word order in ways that make the sentence very hard to understand, or they do not use a proper passive form of "water". Some versions fail to keep "daily" clearly connected with the verb. Therefore, they cannot be accepted as correct passive voice sentences.


Common Pitfalls:

A common mistake is to treat "need" as a continuous verb, even though it rarely appears in continuous forms. Another problem is confusion between "need to do something" and "need doing", which follow different patterns and are not interchangeable here. Many learners also misplace adverbs like "daily" when they rearrange the sentence. Following the structure "subject plus need to be plus past participle" helps preserve both grammar and meaning.


Final Answer:

The correct passive voice sentence is "The plants need to be watered daily by you."

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