Ch 21
Passive Variations
Reporting passives · get passive · double object passive
The passive is always be + past participle. Change the form of be to change the tense or add a modal.
Present continuous
The road is being repaired.
Present perfect
My bike has been stolen!
Modal
Phones must be switched off.
Future
The winner will be announced tomorrow.
am / is / are + being + past participle
Our kitchen is being painted this week.
Someone is painting it — we don't say who.
The new stadium is being built near the river.
In progress.
has / have + been + past participle
The match has been cancelled because of the snow.
Recent news.
Have you been invited to the party?
Question form.
modal + be + past participle
Tickets can be bought online.
It is possible.
This medicine must be kept in the fridge.
It is necessary.
Food shouldn't be left in the sun.
Advice.
get + past participle
He got hurt playing football. (= was hurt — informal)
have something done
I had my hair cut yesterday. (someone cut it for me)
We're having the car repaired.
have + object + past participle: the object comes before the participle. I had cut my hair = I did it myself.
The road is repairing.
→
The road is being repaired.
a road can't repair itself → passive
My phone has stolen.
→
My phone has been stolen.
present perfect passive needs been
Tickets can buy online.
→
Tickets can be bought online.
modal + be + past participle
I cut my hair at the hairdresser's.
→
I had my hair cut at the hairdresser's.
someone did it for you → have something done
Answer using passive forms.
1
What is being built or repaired in your town right now?
2
What has been invented in the last 20 years that you use every day?
3
What must be done before you travel abroad?
4
What do you have done for you? (hair cut, phone repaired…)
Recap
is being + PP
happening now
The road is being repaired.
has been + PP
recent, with a result
My bike has been stolen.
modal + be + PP
possibility, rule, advice
Tickets can be bought online.
have sth done
someone does it for you
I had my hair cut.