1 © National Geographic Learning
Life Level 4 Unit 9a
Passives
New bridge under
construction
A new bridge is going to be built across the city’s
river. It’s been designed by a local architect. The
city mayor announced that the bridge will be
completed in two years. Critics of the project have
said that more time is needed to assess the full costs
of the plans, but road construction at the side of
the river has already started.
Presentation
In a sentence with an active verb, the subject of the verb
is the person or thing responsible for the action:
We are building a new bridge across the river.
In a sentence with a passive verb, the subject of the verb
is the object of the action:
A new bridge is going to be built across the river.
The choice between active and passive depends on what
or who you want to focus on.
The bridge has been designed by a local architect. (You are
focusing attention on the bridge.)
A local architect has designed the bridge. (You are
focusing attention on the architect.)
You can form the passive with be in a variety of tenses.
Present
perfect
We’ve built a bridge. S A bridge has
been built.
Present
continuous
We’re building a bridge. S A bridge is
being built.
Past
continuous
They were building a bridge. S A bridge
was being built.
Past perfect They had built a bridge. S A bridge had
been built.
Going to We’re going to build a bridge. S A bridge
is going to be built.
Will We’ll build a bridge. S A bridge will be
built.
Can / must /
may / might
We can / must / may / might build a
bridge. S A bridge can / must / may /
might be built.
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