Question:
Choose the correct passive or active form of the given sentence. “They let the prisoner leave early.”
Choose the correct passive or active form of the given sentence. “They let the prisoner leave early.”
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Remember that the three principal forms of the verb "let" are identical: let (V1) $\rightarrow$ let (V2) $\rightarrow$ let (V3). When converting to passive, keep the secondary action verb bare: "was let leave", not "was let to leave".
Updated On: May 30, 2026
- The prisoner was let leave early.
- The prisoner was let to leave early.
- The prisoner was allowed leave early.
- Leaving early was what the prisoner was let do.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In English grammar, the causative verb "let" is followed by an object and a bare infinitive (a verb without "to") in the active voice. When converting sentences with "let" into the passive voice, the verb "let" retains its bare infinitive complement. It does not take a full infinitive ("to leave"), unlike typical verbs converted into passive structures.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the syntax of the active sentence: Active structure: Subject ("They") + verb ("let") + object ("the prisoner") + bare infinitive ("leave") + extension ("early"). Passive rule for 'let' (retaining 'let'): New Subject ("The prisoner") + auxiliary verb ("was", since the sentence is simple past) + past participle ("let") + bare infinitive ("leave") + extension ("early"). Applying this rule gives us Option (a): "The prisoner was let leave early." Note on standard grammatical variations: Because "was let leave" sounds awkward to many native speakers, standard English frequently swaps "let" out for its synonym "allow" when making a passive shift. However, "allow" requires a full infinitive with "to" ("The prisoner was allowed to leave early"). Since Option (c) leaves out the word "to" ("was allowed leave"), it is ungrammatical. Therefore, Option (a) is the only structurally sound choice.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct passive form is option (a).
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