Passive Voice
Passive constructions with modal verbs
Introduction
Combining passive voice with modals creates powerful structures for expressing what can, should, or must be done—without specifying who does it.
These constructions are especially common in formal writing, rules, regulations, and instructions. "Applications must be submitted by Friday" is more formal than "You must submit applications by Friday."
Mastering modal passives is essential for professional and academic English.
Themes
Can be doneMust be finishedShould be avoidedModal Passive Structures
Most Popular
- 1 have something done Arranging for someone else to do something
- 2 Passive with Modals Using passive voice with modal verbs
- 3 Passive Continuous Passive voice in continuous/progressive tenses
- 4 have something done Causative: someone does something for you
- 5 get something done Informal causative or completing a task
All Grammar (Basic) in This Chapter (8)
- Passive with Modals Using passive voice with modal verbs
- Passive Continuous Passive voice in continuous/progressive tenses
- have something done Causative: someone does something for you
- get something done Informal causative or completing a task
- Passive Continuous Passive voice with continuous aspect
- Present Perfect Passive Passive voice in present perfect tense
- Future Passive Passive voice for future actions
- have something done Arranging for someone else to do something
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