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Q. Could you kindly tell me which of the follow- b) The gods are worshipped at her hus- 2. (a) is correct. As the sentence is a statement Re. rules of the placement of the by agent, it
ing is right? band's side by her. How to determine (not a question), the verb in the second is better placed immediately after the verb.
1. a) By whom will have the mango been the placement of by agent? clause should come after its verb. So sen- He gave them a book - They were given by
eaten? 5. If you were Raju's friend, what advise tence (a) is correct. him a book is better than they were given a
b) By whom will the mango have been would you have given him? - Is this sen- 3. Answer is c. I'm afraid = I'm sorry. book by him, but both these passive forms are
eaten? tence correct? uncalled for. He gave them a book is better,
4. We usually use passive voice only when the
2. a) He asked me which my book was. - Udaya Kumar Esikela, Tadpatri. agent is not known or when we are not certain simpler, and natural.
b) He asked me which was my book. A. 1. b) is correct. When a verb has 2/ more about the agent. So the use of by is most a) Why don't you say, she worshipped the
3. What does the following sentence mean?- words in it, the subject comes after the often unnecessary. Where it is necessary, it is gods at her husband's side? Isn't this better
"I'm afraid you've to wait". a) expressing first word in the verb. Still better than b is
better to avoid passive. than the ugly pv construction in your letter?
fear b) expressing inability c) expressing who will the mangoes have been eaten
Compare: a) The steam engine was invented (a) and (b) are equally bad, and I would
apology d) ordering by? - But the use of passive here is
by James Watt (PV) advise you to use the av form here.
4. Are there any particular rules on the place- unnecessary and sounds artificial.
Don't you think active voice is natural and sim- b) James Watt invented the steam engine. 5. No. It is wrong- correction: If you were Ravi's
ment of 'by agent' in passive voice? Which
pler here? Who will have eaten the mangoes? Doesn't b) appear natural and simpler than friend what advice would you give him (not
of the following is more natural?
(Active) isn't this simpler than such cumber- a). So when you know the agent of an action, advise, not would you have given him).
a) The gods are worshipped by her at her
husband's side? some .. and ugly construction as by whom ..? av is always preferable.