Advanced Passive Constructions
The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it. While basic passive constructions are straightforward, advanced passive forms involve more complex structures that can add nuance, formality, and emphasis to your writing.
1. Complex Passive Structures
Passive with Modal Verbs
Modal verbs (can, could, should, must, may, might, will, would) combined with passive constructions create sophisticated expressions of possibility, obligation, or permission.
Structure: Modal + be + past participle
✓ The report must be completed by Friday.
✓ The issue could have been avoided with better planning.
✓ The decision should be reviewed by management.
Continuous Passive Forms
Continuous passive constructions emphasize ongoing actions and are particularly useful in describing processes or situations in progress.
Structure: be + being + past participle
✓ The building is being renovated at the moment.
✓ New protocols were being implemented when the audit began.
✓ The system is being upgraded to improve performance.
Perfect Passive Forms
Perfect passive constructions connect past actions to present results or describe completed actions within a specific timeframe.
Structure: have/has/had + been + past participle
✓ The contract has been signed by all parties.
✓ The data had been analyzed before the meeting.
✓ Standards have been established for quality control.
2. Passive Infinitives and Gerunds
Passive Infinitives
Passive infinitives are used after certain verbs, adjectives, and nouns to express actions received by the subject.
Structure: to be + past participle
✓ She expects to be promoted next quarter.
✓ The proposal needs to be reviewed carefully.
✓ He was fortunate to be chosen for the project.
Passive Gerunds
Passive gerunds function as nouns and are often used as subjects or objects in sentences.
Structure: being + past participle
✓ Being recognized for excellence was her greatest achievement.
✓ He appreciated being consulted on the decision.
✓ Being informed of changes is every employee’s right.
3. Special Passive Constructions
Passive with “Get”
The “get passive” is more informal and often implies that the subject bears some responsibility or is affected by the action.
Structure: get + past participle
✓ She got hired immediately after the interview.
✓ The package got delivered to the wrong address.
✓ They got invited to the exclusive event.
Note: “Get passive” is typically used in informal contexts and often suggests an element of chance, misfortune, or personal involvement.
Impersonal Passive Constructions
These constructions are used to report information without specifying the source, making them ideal for academic and formal writing.
Structure: It + be + past participle + that clause
✓ It is believed that the economy will recover.
✓ It was reported that attendance increased by 30%.
✓ It has been suggested that new measures are necessary.
Passive with Prepositional Verbs
When phrasal verbs with prepositions are made passive, the preposition stays attached to the verb.
Common patterns:
✓ The matter was dealt with efficiently.
✓ Your concerns will be looked into immediately.
✓ The children are being well cared for.
4. When to Use Advanced Passive Constructions
Advanced passive constructions are particularly effective when:
- The actor is unknown or unimportant: “The window was broken during the storm.”
- You want to emphasize the action or result: “Significant progress has been made.”
- Writing formally or academically: “It is widely acknowledged that…”
- Describing processes: “The mixture is being heated to 100°C.”
- Avoiding blame or responsibility: “Mistakes were made in the calculation.”
Important: While passive voice has its place, overusing it can make writing seem distant or unclear. Balance passive and active voice for the most effective communication.
Quiz: Test Your Understanding
Complete the following questions to check your understanding of advanced passive constructions. You can check your answer after each question.
