is being V3 (Pres Cont) | was being V3 (Past Cont) | have been V3 (Pres Perf) | had been V3 (Past Perf).
is being built, has been repaired, had been completed
hasn't been delivered yet
Has the letter been sent?
will be V3 | must be V3 | should be V3 | can be V3 | is going to be V3.
must be done, will be published, can be solved
shouldn't be ignored
Can this problem be fixed?
| Example / Question | Positive / Short Answer | Negative / Short Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Present Continuous Passive | The bridge IS BEING BUILT. | Active: They are building the bridge |
| Present Perfect Passive | The parcel HAS BEEN DELIVERED. | Active: They have delivered the parcel |
| Modal Passive: Must | Helmets MUST BE WORN. | Active: You must wear helmets |
| Rule | Base / Standard Form | Applied Form |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous Passive Auxiliary Rule | Continuous passives ALWAYS use "BEING" + V3 (e.g. is being built, was being fixed). | is being built |
| Perfect Passive Auxiliary Rule | Perfect passives ALWAYS use "BEEN" + V3 (e.g. has been completed, had been stolen). | has been built |
| Modal Passive Formula Rule | Modal passives ALWAYS use "MODAL + BE + V3" (e.g. can be done, must be paid). | must be done |
Focus on current progress or historical accomplishments in formal writing.
State mandatory procedures without pointing fingers at individuals.
Maintain objective distance in journalistic and scientific papers.
Future Continuous Passive ("will be being V3") and Present Perfect Continuous Passive ("has been being V3") exist grammatically, but they sound extremely awkward and are almost NEVER used in English! Rephrase using Simple or Active forms.
Sentences with two objects (e.g. "He gave ME a BOOK") have TWO passive forms: 1) "I was given a book" (preferred), 2) "A book was given to me".
Use "to be + V3": "I want to be respected" or "He expects to be promoted".
