Choose the option that best expresses the given sentence in Passive voice.
The state government has built a strong dam across the river.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A strong dam has been built by the state government across the river.
Passive of the present perfect:
| Change | Active | Passive | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Object becomes subject | a strong dam | A strong dam | A strong dam receives the action, so it becomes the subject. |
| Tense kept | has built | has been built | Present perfect passive is has/have + been + past participle (V3). |
| Agent (by ...) | The state government | by the state government | The doer goes after "by". |
| Full sentence | The state government has built a strong dam across the river. | A strong dam has been built by the state government across the river. |
Other passive forms: is/are + V3, was/were + V3 and had been + V3. Example: Ravi has painted the gate. → The gate has been painted by Ravi.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Across the river a strong dam was built. — Incorrect. It changes the tense to the simple past ("was built"). The given sentence is in the present perfect.
Option 3: A strong dam should have been built by the state government. — Incorrect. "Should have been built" means the dam was not built though it ought to have been. That is the opposite of the given sentence.
Option 4: Across the river was a strong dam. — Incorrect. It has no passive verb. It only says where the dam was, not that it was built.