Unit 43: PASSIVE VERB FORMATIONS
All passive formations have the verb be before a past participle.
Statements (be + past participle)
PRESENT SIMPLE
Tea is drunk everywhere.
These carpets are made by hand.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
They are being held here in 2007.
PAST SIMPLE
This book was written by Shakespeare.
PAST CONTINUOUS
The car was being repaired.
PRESENT PERFECT
She has not been told yet.
PAST PERFECT
They had not been invited to the party.
MODALS BEFORE A SIMPLE FORMATION
It may be locked at any time.
She will be given a prize.
MODALS BEFORE A PERFECT FORMATION
It must have been stolen.
He might have been killed.
BE GOING TO
It is going to be built here.
HAVE TO
The job has to be done by tonight.
USED TO
This place used to be used as a playground.
NOTICE: Irregular past participles are in Appendix 10.
Questions (be + past participle)
As usual, put the first part of the verb before the subject (Unit 9). For example:PRESENT SIMPLE
How are these carpets made?
PAST SIMPLE
Who was this book written by?
PRESENT PERFECT
Has she been told the news yet?
MODAL
Can we be seen from here?
NOTICE: With have to and used to, use the correct form of the auxiliary do.
Does it have to be done by tonight?
