Choose the appropriate Passive Voice of the given sentence.
She is to write a letter.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A letter is to be written by her.
Passive voice of "is to + verb":
"Is/are to + verb" expresses a plan, duty or arrangement (She is to write = she has to / is supposed to write).
| Change | Active | Passive | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Object becomes subject | a letter | A letter | The object “a letter” becomes the subject. |
| Tense kept | is to write | is to be written | In the passive “is/are to + verb” becomes is/are to be + past participle: “is to write” becomes “is to be written”. The tense and the sense of duty stay the same. |
| Agent (by ...) | She | by her | “She” becomes the agent “by her”. |
| Full sentence | She is to write a letter. | A letter is to be written by her. |
Example: We are to finish the work today. → The work is to be finished by us today.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: A letter is being written by her. — Incorrect. This is the passive of "She is writing a letter" (present continuous). The idea of a duty or plan is lost.
Option 3: A letter was written by him. — Incorrect.
- "was written" puts the action in the past and drops the sense of duty.
- "by him" changes the doer. The subject is "she".
Option 4: A letter is written by her. — Incorrect. This is the passive of the simple present "She writes a letter". "To be" is missing.