The passive

20 words

1. 1

   be + past participlegrammar

   General passive: focuses on the action or the object that receives the action.

   “Many parks are cleaned by volunteers every weekend.”

2. 2

   had been + past participlegrammar

   Past perfect passive: an action that was completed (passively) before another past time or event.

   “By the time I arrived, the report had been finished.”

3. 3

   to have been + past participlegrammar

   Perfect passive infinitive: used after reporting verbs or expressions to say a passive action happened before the main event.

   “He is believed to have been involved in the project.”

4. 4

   be + past participle + by + agentgrammar

   Passive with agent: passive sentence that explicitly states who performed the action using 'by + agent'.

   “The opera was composed by a famous musician.”

5. 5

   noun + past participle (reduced relative clause)grammar

   Reduced relative clause (passive): using a past participle after a noun instead of a fuller relative clause with 'be' + past participle.

   “The students selected will present first.”

6. 6

   have/has been + past participlegrammar

   Present perfect passive: an action completed in the past with present relevance, in passive form.

   “Several reports have been submitted to the committee.”

7. 7

   be + being + past participlegrammar

   Progressive passive: describes an action in progress that is done to the subject.

   “The bridge is being repaired after the flood.”

8. 8

   having been + past participlegrammar

   Perfect passive participle clause: indicates a passive action completed before the main action (e.g. Having been informed, she left).

   “Having been informed of the risks, he decided not to proceed.”

9. 9

   for + object + to + be + past participlegrammar

   Passive 'for-to' clause: used to say it is (adj) for someone to have something done or for something to be done to someone.

   “It was difficult for the documents to be translated in time.”

10. 10

    modal + be + past participlegrammar

    Modal passive: use a modal verb + be + past participle to show necessity, possibility, obligation in passive form.

    “The issue should be discussed at the next meeting.”

11. 11

    have/get + object + past participlegrammar

    Causative passive: someone arranges for something to be done for someone (have/get something done).

    “I had my laptop repaired last week.”

12. 12

    It + be + past participle + that + clausegrammar

    Impersonal passive using 'It + be + past participle + that-clause' to state what people think or agree (e.g., It is believed that...).

    “It is widely believed that exercise improves mental health.”

13. 13

    let + object + be + past participlegrammar

    Causative passive with let: used to say someone allows or causes something to happen to someone (passive form with 'be' + past participle).

    “He was let be treated as a minor for legal purposes.”

14. 14

    be + past participle + to + infinitivegrammar

    Passive reporting structure: be + past participle + to + infinitive (e.g., is believed to have done) used to report information in a formal way.

    “She is believed to have left the country.”

15. 15

    to be + past participlegrammar

    Passive infinitive: 'to be + past participle', used after verbs/adjectives to express the passive meaning in infinitive form.

    “She hoped to be invited to the conference.”

16. 16

    get + past participlegrammar

    An informal passive formed with get + past participle; often used in spoken English to show something happens to the subject.

    “After the match he got injured and had to stop playing.”

17. 17

    want + object + to + be + past participlegrammar

    Used to express that someone wants something to be done to an object (passive infinitive after want).

    “I want my essay to be checked before I submit it.”

18. 18

    seem/appear + to + be + past participlegrammar

    Structure showing a passive impression or judgement: seem/appear + to + be + past participle (e.g., He seems to be respected).

    “The new manager appears to be respected by the staff.”

19. 19

    used to be + past participlegrammar

    Passive with 'used to' to describe a past state or repeated situation that no longer exists (e.g., used to be owned, used to be called).

    “The factory used to be owned by a British company.”

20. 20

    need + V-ing (passive meaning)grammar

    When used after a noun/subject, 'need + -ing' means the subject requires the action (passive sense).

    “This room needs cleaning before the guests arrive.”