A Structure and Sample Paragraph
The passive voice focuses attention on the action, result, process, or receiver of an action, rather than on the person performing it.
The city reviews all building applications.
All building applications are reviewed by the city.
The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
Several changes are being introduced to the city's public transportation system. Currently, older buses are being replaced with more energy-efficient vehicles, and several new routes are being developed for growing neighbourhoods. Public feedback is collected through online surveys and community meetings, and the results are carefully reviewed before final decisions are made. Although some residents have concerns about the changes, the new system is expected to improve transportation throughout the city.
CLB 9+ Tip: The passive voice is not simply another grammatical form. It allows you to control what information receives the most attention.
B Present Simple Passive
Use the present simple passive for actions, processes, rules, procedures, and situations that happen regularly or generally.
- Applications are reviewed every week.
- Each applicant is interviewed before a final decision is made.
- Public transportation is funded by several levels of government.
Passive: Employees are evaluated every six months.
- Personal information is not shared with other organizations.
- Late applications are not accepted.
- Are employees required to attend the meeting?
- Is the information stored securely?
Use by + agent when the person or organization performing the action is important.
However, the agent is often omitted when it is:
- obvious
- unknown
- unimportant
- already understood
Remember: In many passive sentences, the important information is what happens, not who performs the action.
C Present Continuous Passive
Use the present continuous passive for an action or process that is happening now, around now, or during a temporary period.
- The building is being renovated.
- Several new employees are being trained this week.
- The problem is being investigated.
→ This describes a regular procedure.
Several customer complaints are being reviewed by the manager.
→ This describes a process currently in progress.
- The road is not being repaired at the moment.
- New applications are not being accepted this week.
- Is the building being inspected?
- Are additional employees being hired?
→ regular procedure
The bridge is being repaired this week.
→ happening now
CLB 9+ Tip: The present continuous passive is especially useful for describing current developments, workplace changes, construction, investigations, and ongoing problems.
D Main Uses in Speaking
At CLB 9+, passive structures can make speaking more precise, flexible, and appropriately formal.
Use the passive when the action, situation, or thing being described is more important than the person performing the action.
The building is divided into several different sections.
This can be especially useful when describing scenes, places, and arrangements.
A customer is being assisted by one of the employees.
This allows you to describe what is happening without repeatedly using expressions such as “someone is...” or “they are...”.
New technology is being introduced into many workplaces.
The passive focuses attention on the change or development.
Less personal: The problem is being ignored.
The passive version focuses attention on the problem rather than directly blaming a person. This can be useful when discussing workplace problems, complaints, disagreements, or sensitive situations.
Some passive structures are particularly useful at higher levels because they allow us to report an expectation, opinion, or general belief without identifying one specific person as the source.
The neighbourhood is considered to be relatively safe.
The proposal is believed to have several advantages.
Speaking Tip: Use the passive when you want your listener to focus on what is happening rather than repeatedly identifying who is performing each action.
E Main Uses in Writing
The passive voice is especially common in formal and professional writing because it can create a more objective and impersonal tone.
Employees are required to complete annual safety training.
Personal information is kept confidential.
The passive is useful when the process itself matters more than the people performing each step.
More formal: The building is not being properly maintained.
More direct: Nobody is addressing this issue.
More formal: This issue is not being addressed.
The passive can make a complaint sound more professional and less directly accusatory.
The results are published on the organization's website.
Several alternatives are currently being considered.
These structures focus attention on facts, procedures, and developments rather than on individuals.
→ Focus: the city
Passive: Several affordable housing projects are being developed by the city.
→ Focus: the housing projects
Writing Tip: At CLB 9+, choosing between active and passive voice is often a question of focus and tone, not simply grammar.
F Key Points to Remember
The passive voice allows you to control which part of the message receives the most attention.
| Form | Structure | Main Use |
| Present Simple Passive | is / are + past participle | regular actions, procedures, facts |
| Present Continuous Passive | is / are + being + past participle | actions currently in progress |
| Negative Simple | is / are not + past participle | actions that do not occur |
| Negative Continuous | is / are not being + past participle | actions not happening now |
| Agent | by + person / organization | identifies who performs the action |
→ regular process
Your application is being reviewed now.
→ current process
→ Active voice may be better.
Do I want to emphasize the action, process, result, or receiver?
→ Passive voice may be better.
Is it a regular procedure or general situation?
→ is / are + past participle
Is the action currently in progress?
→ is / are + being + past participle
Is the person or organization performing the action important?
→ Add by + agent.
→ Focus: who is acting
Passive: The proposal is being reviewed.
→ Focus: what is happening to the proposal
Final CLB 9+ Tip: Advanced writing does not mean making every sentence passive. Strong speakers and writers choose between active and passive voice strategically. The goal is to control the focus, tone, and emphasis of the message.