Which of the following is the correct passive of the following sentence?
He is finalising the syllabus for the next term.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The syllabus for the next term is being finalised by him.
| Active | Passive |
|---|---|
| He is finalising the syllabus for the next term. | The syllabus for the next term is being finalised by him. |
Active to passive voice (present continuous):
- Object becomes subject: the object "the syllabus for the next term" becomes the subject.
- Tense kept: the present continuous stays; its passive is is/am/are + being + past participle, so "is finalising" → "is being finalised".
- Agent (by ...): the doer "he" goes after the verb as "by him".
Example: They are painting the house. → The house is being painted by them.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The syllabus for the next term is finalised by him. — Incorrect. "is finalised" is the simple present passive; the continuous sense ("being") is lost.
Option 2: The syllabus for the next term was finalised by him. — Incorrect. "was finalised" is the simple past passive; the active sentence is in the present continuous.
Option 4: The syllabus for the next term will be finalised by him. — Incorrect. "will be finalised" is the simple future passive; it changes the time of the action.
Contrast: a continuous passive keeps being (is being finalised); is finalised, was finalised and will be finalised are simple-tense passives.