Is being built

  • B2 · Upper-intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min
  • passive continuous

The passive in the continuous, for actions in progress: The bridge is being repaired, so traffic is being sent through town. The student hears a radio traffic report, tells is being done from is done and has been done, completes a notice about building work, and plays the manager of a hotel under renovation.

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is being builtwas being paintedisn't being heated

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Listen: the morning traffic reportListening comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the passiveGrammar exercise
  6. 6is being done, was being doneGrammar rule
  7. 7Which form?Grammar exercise
  8. 8In progress, finished or a habit?Grammar exercise
  9. 9A notice for the residentsGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12The hotel under renovationSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: which sentence is correct?Grammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: build the sentencesGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: what is being done near meDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. How do you get around your town or city: by car, by bus, by bike or on foot?
  2. Is there any roadwork or building work near your home at the moment? Does it bother you?
  3. Do you ever listen to the traffic report on the radio or check a map app before you leave?

Grammar rule

is being done, was being done

am / is / are / was / were + being + past participle

Now (present)At a moment in the past
PositiveThe lobby is being painted.The lobby was being painted when we checked in.
NegativeThe old gym isn't being heated this winter.Nobody was being served at the bar.
QuestionIs anything being done about the noise?Was the meeting being recorded?

When do we use it?

  • For an action in progress now, or around now, when who does it is not known or not important: Your package is being delivered today.
  • For a temporary situation: This month, our classes are being held in the library.
  • For an action in progress at a past moment, often with when or while: When I got back to the parking lot, my car was being towed!
  • Add by + someone only when it matters who does it: The new mural is being painted by local students.

Is done, is being done or has been done?

  • The grass is cut every Monday. (a habit)
  • The grass is being cut right now. (in progress)
  • The grass has been cut. (finished, so it looks short)

Watch out

  • being, not been: The lobby is been painted → is being painted. (been goes with have: has been painted.)
  • Don't forget being: My car is towed right now → is being towed.
  • A passive meaning needs a passive form: The house is building → The house is being built.
  • After being, the past participle: is being build → built.

Teach it live with video and a whiteboard, or print it: the PDF has every slide, the homework and the answers.

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