Question

Choose the correct passive form from the options given below:
A sweet song _ _ _ _ _ _ by Rahman in the concert.
a) Is singing
b) Is being sung
c) Are sung
d) Is being singing

Answer 1

Hint: The given sentence is in the passive voice. Passive voice uses the past participle form of the verb.

Complete answer:
 In the given sentence person 1 i.e. the speaker talks about another person i.e. Rahman. Let us look at the option we have and choose the most appropriate answer.
Option a ‘is singing’ is incorrect as the given sentence is in the passive voice and the past participle form of the verb must be used in the sentence. ‘Is singing’ is in the present continuous form. Therefore, option ‘a’ is incorrect.
Option b ‘is being sung’ is the correct answer as ‘sung’ is the past participle form of the verb sing, and it has been correctly used with ‘being’ which is used when an action is in continuation in the present time from a point of time in the past. This is a passive form of a present continuous sentence, and in such sentences, being is followed by the past participle form of the verb. Thus, option ‘b’ is the correct answer.
Option c ‘are sung’ is incorrect as the sentence begins with the article ‘a’ which is used with singular nouns. ‘are’ is used with plural nouns. Thus, option ‘c’ is incorrect.
Option d ‘is being singing’ is grammatically incorrect as ‘singing’ is the continuous form of the verb, and ‘being’ is used when an action is still in continuation in the present from a point of time in the past; ‘being’ and ‘singing’ do not go together. ‘Being’ must be accompanied by the past participle form of the verb. Therefore, option ‘d’ is incorrect.

Note:
 Do not confuse option d ‘is being singing’ to be the answer. Here, singing should be replaced by ‘sung’ for it to be appropriate.