Choose the correct passive form of the given sentence:
Everyone in our colony knows the old cobbler at the bus stand.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → The old cobbler at the bus stand is known to everyone in our colony.
Passive with “to” in place of “by” (simple present):
| Change | Active | Passive | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Object becomes subject | the old cobbler at the bus stand | The old cobbler at the bus stand | The cobbler receives the action of “knows”, so he becomes the subject. |
| Tense kept | knows | is known | “Knows” is in the simple present, so the passive stays in the simple present: is / are + past participle (V3). “Is” because the cobbler is one person. |
| Agent with “to” | Everyone in our colony | to everyone in our colony | “Known” takes “to” before the people who know, not “by”. |
| Full sentence | Everyone in our colony knows the old cobbler at the bus stand. | The old cobbler at the bus stand is known to everyone in our colony. |
Some other V3 forms also take a word other than “by”. Example: Her success pleased her parents. → Her parents were pleased with her success.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The old cobbler at the bus stand was known to everyone in our colony. — Incorrect. “Was known” is the simple past. The active “knows” is the simple present.
Option 3: The old cobbler at the bus stand is known for everyone in our colony. — Incorrect. “Known for” is followed by the reason someone is famous. Example: Agra is known for the Taj Mahal.
Option 4: The old cobbler at the bus stand is knowing to everyone in our colony. — Incorrect. “Knowing” is the -ing form, not the V3.