The passive: has been done, will be done

  • B1 · Intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

The passive in the present perfect, with will and with modals: The seats have been replaced, and the new screen will be installed next week. Tickets can be reserved online. From a news story about an old movie theater that is opening again to a town-council decision about an empty building.

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has been donewill be namedcan be borrowed

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Reading: the Majestic is coming backReading comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the passiveGrammar exercise
  6. 6The passive: has been, will be, can beGrammar rule
  7. 7Choose the right formGrammar exercise
  8. 8A notice in the lobbyGrammar exercise
  9. 9Find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12The empty buildingSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: news from Lakeside ParkGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: which is right?Grammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: build the sentencesGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: a local news storyDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. What is the oldest building you have ever been inside?
  2. Have you ever seen an old silent movie? What did you think of it?
  3. What was the last movie that you saw on a big screen, and where did you see it?

Grammar rule

The passive: has been, will be, can be

be + past participle, in three more forms

PositiveNegativeQuestion
present perfect: has / have been + past participleThe paintings have been cleaned.The gift shop hasn't been finished yet.Has the gate been locked?
future: will be + past participleThe winners will be named on Friday.The street won't be closed.When will the doors be opened?
modals: can / must / should + be + past participleUmbrellas can be borrowed at the front desk.Videos can't be made during the show.Can this jacket be washed?

When do we use them?

  • has / have been: it happened before now, and the result matters now. It often comes with already, yet, just, so far, ever and never: The paintings have been cleaned, and they look new.
  • will be: the future (plans, promises, what we expect). is going to be + past participle is fine too.
  • can be = it is possible or allowed · can't be = it is not possible or not allowed · must be = it is necessary, a rule · should be = it is a good idea.
  • Add by + who does it only when it matters (unit 1): The doors will be opened by the mayor.
In American English, the past simple passive is also common for news, and with just, already and yet: The bridge was just reopened. But with so far and since, use has / have been.

Watch out

  • been after has / have, be after will and the modals: has be fixed → has been fixed · will been sent → will be sent.
  • The past participle, not the past simple: have been took → have been taken.
  • has for one thing, have for more: The seats have been replaced.
  • No to after a modal: must to be paid → must be paid.
  • A finished time (yesterday, last week, in 1990) takes the past simple passive: It has been sent last week. → It was sent last week.
  • been + past participle is the passive; been + -ing is not: The workers have been fixing the roof (they are doing it). The roof has been fixed (it is done).

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