Passive Voice in Future and Modals
When forming the passive voice in the future tense or with modal verbs, the verb to be remains in its base form: be.
In this lesson, we will cover the structures for will, be going to, and all primary modal verbs.
1. Simple Future Passive (Will)
We use the simple future passive to express predictions, plans, or promises about future passive actions.
Formula: Subject + will be + Verb 3 (Past Participle) + ...
- Active: They will build a new school next year.
- Passive: A school will be built next year.
- Active: The manager will sign the contract tomorrow.
- Passive: The contract will be signed by the manager tomorrow.
2. “Be Going To” Future Passive
We use this form to express planned future actions that are already scheduled or highly likely.
Formula: Subject + am/is/are + going to be + Verb 3 + ...
- Active: They are going to repaint the house.
- Passive: The house is going to be repainted.
- Active: She is going to present the results.
- Passive: The results are going to be presented by her.
3. Modal Verbs Passive
For modal verbs (can, could, should, must, may, might, would), the structure is incredibly simple and consistent.
Formula: Subject + Modal Verb + be + Verb 3 (Past Participle) + ...
- Active: You should submit the report today.
- Passive: The report should be submitted today.
- Active: We can solve this problem.
- Passive: This problem can be solved.
- Active: Visitors must wear helmets inside.
- Passive: Helmets must be worn by visitors inside.
- Active: They might cancel the concert.
- Passive: The concert might be canceled.
4. Modal Perfect Passive (Past Modals)
When we want to express modals about past situations in the passive voice, we use the Modal Perfect passive structure.
Formula: Subject + Modal Verb + have been + Verb 3 (Past Participle) + ...
- Active: You should have sent the email yesterday.
- Passive: The email should have been sent yesterday.
- Active: Someone must have stolen the bicycle.
- Passive: The bicycle must have been stolen.
- Active: They could have avoided the accident.
- Passive: The accident could have been avoided.
5. Semi-Modals in the Passive
Semi-modals like have to, has to, had to, used to, and ought to behave similarly but retain their complete structures.
Formula: Subject + Semi-Modal + be + Verb 3 (Past Participle) + ...
- Active: We have to finish the assignment.
- Passive: The assignment has to be finished.
- Active: They used to play traditional games here.
- Passive: Traditional games used to be played here.
- Active: You ought to repair the window.
- Passive: The window ought to be repaired.
6. Future & Modal Passive Summary
| Structure Type | Active Example | Passive Example | Passive Verb Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will Future | He will do it. | It will be done. | will + be + Verb 3 |
| Going To | He is going to do it. | It is going to be done. | am/is/are + going to be + Verb 3 |
| Modals (Present) | He should do it. | It should be done. | modal + be + Verb 3 |
| Modals (Perfect) | He should have done it. | It should have been done. | modal + have been + Verb 3 |
| Semi-Modals | He has to do it. | It has to be done. | semi-modal + be + Verb 3 |