Question:
Choose the correct passive or active form of the given sentence. “They have to paint the ceiling before they can install the new light fixtures.”
Choose the correct passive or active form of the given sentence. “They have to paint the ceiling before they can install the new light fixtures.”
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Always check subject-verb agreement after shifting an object to the subject position! A singular passive subject like "the ceiling" must be paired with "has to be," never "have to be."
Updated On: May 19, 2026
- The ceiling has to be painted before the new light fixtures can be installed.
- The ceiling have to be painted before installing the new light fixtures.
- Before the new light fixtures can install, the ceiling has to be painted.
- The ceiling must be painted by them prior to installing the light fixtures.
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Voice conversion involves shifting the focus of a sentence from the performer of the action (active voice) to the recipient of the action (passive voice). When a sentence contains multiple clauses connected by a conjunction, both clauses must be converted into their corresponding passive structures while maintaining subject-verb agreement and the original tense.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's break down the given active sentence into its two component clauses: 1. Clause 1 (Active): "They have to paint the ceiling..." The active structure uses "have to + verb (base form)". Passive structure rule: "Object + has/have to + be + past participle (V3)". Since "The ceiling" is singular, it takes "has to be": "The ceiling has to be painted..." 2. Clause 2 (Active): "...before they can install the new light fixtures." The active structure uses the modal verb "can + verb (base form)". Passive structure rule: "Modal + be + past participle (V3)". The object is "the new light fixtures" (plural): "...before the new light fixtures can be installed." Combining both converted clauses gives: "The ceiling has to be painted before the new light fixtures can be installed." This aligns with Option (a). Option (b) fails due to incorrect subject-verb agreement ("ceiling have to"), and Option (c) leaves the second clause in an ungrammatical active state ("fixtures can install").
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct passive form is option (a).
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