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Passive with Modals
Use modals with passive verbs to focus on the action, not the person doing it. Perfect for exams like IELTS and PTE.
B2Passive Voice
What it is
Passive with modals lets you talk about actions without naming who does them. It uses modal verb + be + past participle.
- Modal verb (like can, should, must): shows ability, need, or possibility
Be (am/is/are) in base form, not past/past participle.
Past participle (3rd form of verb, like written, eaten).
When to use it
You use it to:
- Focus on what needs to be done: "Your application must be submitted by Monday."
- Make polite advice: "This document can be printed in color."
- Speak about rules or instructions when the person isn't important.
Examples
- These trees should be watered daily.
- Homes may be rented for holidays.
- The report must be completed by Thursday.
- Students can be asked to explain.
- Boxes might be damaged during shipping.
- Requests could be refused in emergencies.
Common mistakes
- Wrong: The form should be filled out correctly by you. Correct: The form should be filled out correctly.
- Wrong: He may be to blame for the mistake. Correct: He may be blamed for the mistake.
- Wrong: They can have been late yesterday. Correct: They can be said to be late yesterday.
Memory tip
Think: Modal → Be → Past (M-B-P). It's like a chain: modal starts it, be links it, past finishes it!
Quick check
The new policy _____ _____ ____ by the management team next week.
Where this matters in your exam
Frequent in Writing Task 2 for making recommendations or agreeing with solutions.
- Writing Task 2
Use for discussing general advice, rules, or obligations without focusing on the person.
- Speaking Part 3
Use for making polite suggestions about how problems can be solved.
- Listening
Recognize passive modals in instructions or rules during academic lectures.