Teach: The Passive Voice ② Different Tenses — Past, Future, and Progressive Forms

The Passive Voice ② Different Tenses — Past, Future, and Progressive Forms

The basic form of the passive voice, “be + past participle,” remains the same even when the tense changes. Only the form of the be verb changes to match the tense.

Basic Rule

Forms of the be verb by tense:
- Present passive: am / is / are + past participle
- Past passive: was / were + past participle
- Future passive: will be + past participle
- Present progressive passive: am / is / are + being + past participle (in the process of being 〜)
- Past progressive passive: was / were + being + past participle (was in the process of being 〜)
- Perfect passive: have / has been + past participle (has been done / has experienced being 〜)

The past participle remains the same even when the tense changes. It is simple to remember that only the be verb changes according to the tense.

Example Sentences
This temple was built 100 years ago.（This temple was built 100 years ago）← past
The party will be held next Sunday.（The party will be held next Sunday）← future
The road is being repaired now.（The road is currently being repaired）← present progressive
This song has been loved for many years.（This song has been loved for many years）← present perfect

Points to Note

① Modal verbs + passive voice: remember the form will / can / must / should + be + past participle. “This problem can be solved easily.（This problem can be solved easily）” and “The window must be closed.（The window must be closed）.”
② The progressive passive (being + past participle) is taught at the ninth-grade level. It expresses an action in progress in the passive voice, as in “The house is being built.（The house is in the process of being built）.”
③ The perfect passive (have been + past participle): “The work has been finished.（The work is finished / was finished）.” It expresses completion and the passive meaning at the same time.
④ Negative and interrogative sentences: make them using the be verb (the be verb is the main verb in the passive voice). “Is this book read by many people?” “This book is not read by many people.”

Key Points
  • Past: was/were + past participle
  • Future: will be + past participle
  • Progressive: be + being + past participle
  • Perfect: have been + past participle
  • Modal verb + be + past participle

Practice

  1. Write “This book is scheduled to be published next month” in English (use publish).
  2. Write “His bicycle was stolen yesterday” in English (use steal-stole-stolen).
  3. Write “Even children can solve this problem” in English using can be.

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