Choose the correct passive construction(s) of the given sentence:
The tailor is stitching new uniforms for the school band.
(A) New uniforms are being stitched for the school band by the tailor.
(B) New uniforms are stitched for the school band by the tailor.
(C) New uniforms were being stitched for the school band by the tailor.
(D) New uniforms for the school band are being stitched by the tailor.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A) and (D) only
Passive of the present continuous:
| Change | Active | Passive | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Object becomes subject | new uniforms | New uniforms | The uniforms receive the action, so they become the subject. |
| Tense kept | is stitching | are being stitched | “Is stitching” is in the present continuous, so the passive stays in the present continuous: is / are being + past participle (V3). “Are” because the uniforms are many. |
| Agent (by ...) | The tailor | by the tailor | The tailor is named, so the doer comes after “by”. |
| Full sentence | The tailor is stitching new uniforms for the school band. | (A) New uniforms are being stitched for the school band by the tailor. (D) New uniforms for the school band are being stitched by the tailor. |
The past continuous works the same way: was / were + verb-ing → was / were being + V3. Example: The boys were flying kites. → Kites were being flown by the boys.
(A) New uniforms are being stitched for the school band by the tailor. — Correct.
- “Are being stitched” keeps the present continuous, and “are” agrees with “uniforms”.
(B) New uniforms are stitched for the school band by the tailor. — Incorrect.
- “Being” is dropped, so “are stitched” is the simple present.
- Correct form: New uniforms are being stitched for the school band by the tailor.
(C) New uniforms were being stitched for the school band by the tailor. — Incorrect.
- “Were being stitched” is the past continuous.
- The active “is stitching” is in the present.
- Correct form: New uniforms are being stitched for the school band by the tailor.
(D) New uniforms for the school band are being stitched by the tailor. — Correct.
- Only the place of “for the school band” changes.
- “Are being stitched” is right.