B2 · Lesson 27 · 25 min
Passives across tenses
In this lesson
- I can choose a passive form that preserves the original tense and aspect.
- I can decide whether naming the agent helps the reader understand the message.
Grammar in context
The old pool is being renovated this month. The damaged tiles have already been replaced, and new lights will be installed next week. The work is being carried out by a local company.
Which action is in progress, which is complete with a present result, and which is planned for the future?
Keep the tense in the form of be
A passive normally uses a form of be plus a past participle. The grammatical subject receives or is affected by the action. To preserve tense and aspect, change the form around be rather than changing the main participle: is repaired, was repaired, has been repaired. The active subject can become a by-phrase, but it is often omitted when unknown, obvious or unimportant. Choose a passive because the affected thing deserves attention, not merely because a sentence sounds formal.
- Someone has approved the design. The design has been approved.
- A storm damaged the roof. The roof was damaged by a storm.
Distinguish progress from completion
A present continuous passive uses am, is or are plus being and a past participle. A past continuous passive uses was or were plus being. A perfect passive uses have, has or had plus been and a past participle. Being and been are not interchangeable: being helps express activity in progress, while been follows perfect have. Use the context to decide whether the work is ongoing or already complete at the reference point.
- The photographs are being restored at the moment.
- The photographs have been restored and are ready for display.
Add modals and useful agents
A modal passive uses a modal plus be and a past participle: must be checked, can be downloaded. A future passive commonly uses will be. A modal perfect passive uses a modal plus have been when an earlier event is meant. Include a by-phrase when identifying the responsible person matters. Avoid a passive with an intransitive use of a verb that has no object to become a passive subject: the train arrived is already complete.
- The application must be signed by the applicant.
- The package may have been delivered to the wrong office.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
The windows are been cleaned now.
Use
The windows are being cleaned now.
An ongoing passive uses are being, not are been.
Avoid
The files have being deleted.
Use
The files have been deleted.
A perfect passive needs have been plus a past participle.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.