Passive Voice

Present simple

am, is, are + made

Wine is made from grapes. Many cars are made in Japan.

Present Continuous

am, is, are + being + sent

The document is being sent right now. I am being sent to work in the London office.

Past simple

was, were + invited

John was invited to speak at the conference. We were invited to Daniel and Mary’s wedding.

Past Continuous

was, were + being + washed

The dog was being washed when I got home. Their cars were being washed while they were in the mall shopping.

Future (will)

will be + signed

The contract will be signed tomorrow. The documents will all be signed by next week.

Future (going to)

am, is, are + going to be + built

A bridge is going to be built within the next two years. New houses are going to be built in our neighborhood.

Present perfect

has, have + been + sold

That start-up has been sold for $5 million. The rights to his book have been sold for $250,000.

Past perfect

had + been + hired

The new manager had been hired before John left the company. All the employees had hired before the store opened.

Future perfect

will + have been + finished

The car will have been loaded by the time he gets home. The crates will have been loaded by then.

Modals: can/could

can, could + be + issued

A passport can only be issued at the embassy. He said the documents could be issued within the week.

Modal: have to

have to, has to, had to + be+ arranged

A babysitter has to be arranged for this evening. Joan’s travel plans have to be arranged by December.

Modal: must

must + be + stopped

Criminals must be stopped before they commit crimes.