Which one of the following is the correct Passive form of the sentence?
This box contains sweets.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Sweets are contained in the box.
Active to passive (simple present):
| Change | Active | Passive | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Object becomes subject | sweets | Sweets | “Sweets” moves to the front. |
| Tense kept | contains | are contained | Simple present, so is/am/are + past participle. “Sweets” is plural, so “are contained”. |
| Agent (in ...) | This box | in the box | With “contained”, the container is shown with “in”: “in the box”. |
| Full sentence | This box contains sweets. | Sweets are contained in the box. |
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Sweets are in the container. — Incorrect. There is no passive verb ("are contained"), and "box" has been changed to "container".
Option 2: Sweets is contained in the box. — Incorrect. The plural subject "sweets" needs "are", not "is".
Option 3: Sweets are contained into the box. — Incorrect. "Into" shows movement. Position inside a container takes "in".
Contrast: in the box shows position inside it. Into the box shows movement from outside to inside.