54 Passive verb forms
1 introduction
A passive verb is a form of be + a past participle, e.g. is baked, was worn. Same participles are irregular (see pages 382-3).
2 Summary of verb tenses
present Simple-. Present Continuous! Present Perfect: Past Simple: Past Continuous: Past Perfect:
ACTIVE
We bake the bread here. We are baking the bread. We have baked the bread. We baked the bread yesterday. We were baking the bread. We had baked the bread.
PASSIVE
The bread is baked here. The bread is being baked. The bread has been baked. The bread was baked yesterday. The bread was being baked. The bread had been baked.
; in active sentences.
We form -B^i-sand .uesdons ,„ the ^Z^been wofH for years.
3 The future and modal verbs in the passive
Weuse be + a past parttciple after * be J-^-J
; lie macnmr r r b£ ioW?
Scots may no' be reserved.     How can me j»™
passive
active
We will bake the bread next. We are going to bake the bread. We should bake the bread soon. We ought to bake the bread.
Future: Modal verb:
The bread will be baked next. The bread is going to be baked. The bread should be baked soon. The bread ought to be baked.
4 The passive with get
We also use get in tbese ^J^^^^ IGE130    • THE PASSIVE
Present Continuous passive (2)
Look at the pictures and say what is happening. Use these subjects: the car, dinner, a flag, some fiouses, the seals. Use these verbs: build, feed, raise, repair, serve.
► ~Vne, CAr [$ bcjMj .re.fcAire.rl
1
2 .........................................
B Passive verb tenses (2)
Complete the information about Barford Hall. Put in the correct form of these verbs.
► build
(Past Simple) 1 own
(Present Simple)
2 use
(Past Continuous)
3 buy
(Past Simple)
4 not look
(Past Perfect)
5 do
(Present Perfect)
6 use
(Present Simple)
The building at the end of the High Street is Barford Hall, which (►) ma* built |n
1827. Today the Hall (1)............................... by Bardale Council. It (2) ..................
as a warehouse when it (3)........... ............... by the Council in 1952, and it (4)
.............................. after very well. Since then a lot of work (5)................................
on it, and these days the Hall (6) .................................as an arts centre.
The future and modal verbs in the passive (3)
A. press conference is being held. Put in the correct form of the verbs, ►  Reporter:    Can this new drug prolong human life?
Professor:   Yes, we believe that human life cAis.be prql.pA^ed by the drug.
1 Reporter:    Are you going to do any more tests on the drug?
Professor: Yes, further tests............................ ... soon.
2 Reporter: What..... the drug .................... ..... .?
Professor: It will be called Bio-Meg.
3 Reporter: Can people buy the drug now?
Professor:   No, it......................................... by the public yet.
1   Reporter:    Do you think the company should sell this drug?
Professor:   Yes, I think Bio-Meg to anyone who wants it.
The passive with get (4)
Put ►
1
2
3
4
in get or got and the past participle of these verbs: break, change, divorce, hurt, lose
If we're going out to the theatre, I'd better tfi.t dw^Rd..............
Dar»el...........................................when he tried to break up a fight.
I know the way We won't
You'd better wrap up the glasses, so they don't.......... ......
They were only married a year before they.......................
THE PASSIVE    • I'AGE 131