Present Passives

Sam An Teng
 

(i) Present Simple

Active: SUBJECT + VERB 1 + OBJECT

Passive: SUBJECT + AM/IS/ARE + VERB 3 + BY AGENT

For examples

• Active: He designs a new logo.
• Passive: A new logo is designed by him.
• Active: They visit their parents.
• Passive: Their parents are visited by them.

 

(ii) Present Continuous

Active: SUBJECT + AM/IS/ARE + VERB-ING + OBJECT

Passive: SUBJECT + AM/IS/ARE + BEING + VERB 3 + BY AGENT

For examples

• Active: She is finishing the homework.
• Passive: The homework is being finished by her.
• Active: They are building a new house.
• Passive: A new house is being built by them.

 

(iii) Present Perfect Simple

Active: SUBJECT + HAVE/HAS + VERB 3 + OBJECT

Passive: SUBJECT + HAVE/HAS + BEEN + VERB 3 + BY AGENT

For examples

• Active: We have launched new courses this year.
• Passive: New courses have been launched (by us) this year.
• Active: He has upgraded the software.
• Passive: The software has been upgraded by him.

 

(iv) Present Perfect Continuous

Active: SUBJECT + HAVE/HAS + BEEN + VERB-ING + OBJECT

Passive: SUBJECT + HAVE/HAS + BEEN + BEING + VERB 3 + BY AGENT

For examples

• Active: He has been designing this application for years.
• Passive: This application has been being designed (by him) for years.
• Active: They have been constructing a new bridge since last year.
• Passive: A new bridge has been being constructed (by them) since last year.