Identify the voice and tense of the underlined verb:
The NSS volunteers have been preparing the stage for the cultural night since morning.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Active voice, present perfect continuous
Active voice:
The subject “the NSS volunteers” does the action of preparing, and “the stage” is the object. “Have been preparing” is have / has been + -ing, which is the present perfect continuous. It shows an action that began in the morning and is still going on. “Been” here is followed by an -ing form, not by a past participle (V3), so the verb is not passive.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Passive voice, present perfect — Incorrect. The present perfect passive is have been + V3 (have been prepared). The underlined verb has an -ing form, and the volunteers do the action.
Option 2: Active voice, present perfect — Incorrect. The present perfect is have + V3 (have prepared). “Been preparing” shows the action is still going on, so it is the continuous form.
Option 3: Passive voice, present perfect continuous — Incorrect. The tense is right, but the voice is wrong. The volunteers do the preparing, and there is no be + V3.