Active-to-passive voice (prepositional verb): Convert the sentence to passive, retaining the preposition with the verb. Source sentence: She spoke to the official on duty. Instruction: Choose the grammatically correct passive-voice option.
Verbal Ability
Change of Voice
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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AThe official on duty was spoken to by her
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BThe official was spoken to by her on duty.
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CShe was spoken to by the official on duty.
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DShe was the official to be spoken to on duty.
Answer
Correct Answer: The official on duty was spoken to by her
Explanation
Given data
- Verb pattern: speak to someone (prepositional verb).
- Active: She spoke to the official on duty.
Concept / ApproachIn passive, the preposition to remains with spoken (spoken to). The object of the preposition becomes the subject.
Step-by-step transformationObject of preposition → subject: the official on duty → The official on dutyAuxiliary in past: wasPast participle + preposition: spoken toAgent: by herFinal passive: The official on duty was spoken to by her.
Eliminate wrong optionsA: Correct passive with preposition stranded after the verb. ✅B: Misplaced on duty modifying her; changes meaning. ❌C: Swaps roles; wrong subject. ❌D: Unrelated infinitival construction; incorrect. ❌
Final AnswerThe official on duty was spoken to by her