Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B2 - Lesson 4: Using a Wider Range of Passive Forms

Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B2

Using a Wider Range of Passive Forms

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use a wider range of passive forms to sound more formal, objective, and precise in your speaking.

Why Use the Passive Voice? ✍️

The passive voice is a powerful tool when you want to shift focus from the "doer" of an action to the action itself or the thing receiving it.

• When the receiver is more important: "Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century." (The focus is on Angkor Wat).
• When the doer is unknown or unimportant: "My wallet has been stolen!" (We don't know who stole it).
• To sound more formal or indirect: "A decision will be made tomorrow." (More formal than "The boss will decide...").

Expanding Your Passive Tense Toolbox

Using the passive with different tenses allows you to express more complex ideas accurately.

Present Perfect Passive

has/have been + p.p.

Use for a past action with a present result.

"The date for the meeting has been changed."

Past Continuous Passive

was/were being + p.p.

Use for an action in progress at a specific time in the past.

"The floor was being cleaned, so I couldn't enter."

Future Passive

will be + p.p.

Use for future events, often in formal announcements.

"All employees will be given a bonus."

Modal Passive

modal + be + p.p.

Use with modals like 'must', 'should', 'can', etc.

"This report must be finished by 5 PM."

Deeper Understanding

💡 Choosing Your Voice: Active vs. Passive

The choice to use the active voice or passive voice depends entirely on what you want to emphasize.

Active Voice is Direct & Personal. The focus is on the doer.
"I made a mistake." (I am taking responsibility).

Passive Voice is Indirect & Objective. The focus is on the action or receiver.
"A mistake was made." (This is often used in business to avoid blaming a specific person).

Practice Quiz 📝

Choose the Best Passive Form

Read the sentences and choose the passive form that fits the context best.

1. "I can't use this meeting room right now. It __________ for a private event."

A) was used
B) has been used
C) is being used

→ Answer: C. This describes an action happening right now (Present Continuous Passive).

2. "The police are investigating, but no arrests __________ yet."

A) were made
B) have been made
C) must be made

→ Answer: B. This connects the past to the present result (Present Perfect Passive).

3. "To ensure safety, all bags __________ before you enter the concert hall."

A) will be checked
B) are being checked
C) have been checked

→ Answer: A. This describes a future rule or action (Future Passive).

Key Vocabulary

• Objective (Adjective) | អព្យាក្រឹត
  Not influenced by personal feelings; based on facts.
• Active / Passive Voice
  The grammar form where the subject performs the action / receives the action.
• Emphasize (Verb) | សង្កត់ធ្ងន់
  To give special importance to something.
• Formal (Adjective) | ជាផ្លូវការ
  Used in serious or official situations.

Your Mission: The Objective Reporter ⭐

Your mission is to practice using the passive voice to sound more formal and objective.

1. Think of a recent event at your work, university, or in your city (e.g., a new policy, a construction project).
2. Imagine you are a news reporter explaining this event.
3. Record a 60-second "news report." Your goal is to use at least three different passive forms from today's lesson.
4. Example: "It was announced this morning that the annual company party will be held on June 28th. The location has not been decided yet, but an email... will be sent..."