Speaking: Grammar in Speaking C1 - Lesson 3: Employing a Full Range of Passive & Subjunctive Forms

Speaking: Grammar in Speaking C1

Employing Passive & Subjunctive Forms

Listen to the dialogue examples here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to employ a wider range of the passive voice and the subjunctive mood to add formality, precision, and a sophisticated tone to your speech.

Advanced Passive Forms: Shifting Focus 🏛️

At C1, we use the passive voice with more complex tenses to describe situations with greater nuance.

Present Perfect Passive

Structure:

has/have been + past participle

Use:

For a recent past action with a present result. (សកម្មភាពអតីតកាលថ្មីៗដែលមានលទ្ធផលបច្ចុប្បន្ន)

Example:

"The meeting has been postponed until next week."

Modal Perfect Passive

Structure:

should/could/must have been + p.p.

Use:

To speculate or critique a past event. (ដើម្បីសន្និដ្ឋាន ឬរិះគន់ព្រឹត្តិការណ៍អតីតកាល)

Example:

"This mistake should have been prevented."

The Subjunctive Mood: Formal & Hypothetical Ideas

The subjunctive mood is a special verb form for non-factual situations, and it is a key feature of formal and official English.

Formal Suggestions & Demands

Structure:

(verb) + that + subject + BASE VERB

Use:

After verbs like recommend, insist, suggest, demand.

Example:

"The committee recommends that the proposal be accepted." (Not 'is accepted')

Hypothetical Conditionals

Structure:

If + subject + were...

Use:

To sound more formal in unreal conditionals (even with I/he/she/it).

Example:

"If I were in charge, things would be different." (More formal than "If I was...")

Scenario: A Formal Committee Meeting 💬

Listen to this discussion. Notice how the speakers use the passive and subjunctive to sound objective and authoritative.

Chairperson: "Let's move to the next item: the failed 'Project Titan'. The final report on what went wrong has just been submitted."

Ms. Vanna: "Thank you. I've read it. It is vital that we be transparent about this. My concern is that the budget issues should have been identified much earlier."

Mr. Piseth: "I agree. I recommend that a new protocol be established immediately. Furthermore, I propose that the risk assessment process be reviewed by an auditor."

Chairperson: "Thank you both. A full review will be conducted."

Using the Right Register (Formality)

💡 Choosing When to Be Formal

These advanced structures are markers of a formal register. You would not typically use the subjunctive ("I suggest that he be on time") when talking to a friend. You would say something more direct ("I think he should be on time").

The C1 skill is knowing when to deploy these structures. Use them in:

• Formal presentations and speeches
• Professional meetings and negotiations
• Academic discussions and writing

Practice & Application 🎯

Practice Quiz: Choose the Correct Form

Choose the most grammatically correct and appropriate form for each sentence. Click "Check Answers" when you're done.

1. The CEO demanded that the report __________ on his desk by 9 AM.

A) is B) be C) was

---

2. "The historical documents were safe. When the fire broke out, they __________ to a secure location."

A) were already being moved B) had already been moved C) have already been moved

---

3. If I ___ the CEO, I would restructure the entire department.

A) was B) were C) am

Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)

• Employ (language) (Verb) | ប្រើ
  To use a particular word, phrase, or method.
• Subjunctive Mood (Noun) | ទម្រង់ subjunctive
  A verb form for formal or hypothetical situations (wishes, suggestions, unreal conditions).
• Passive Voice (Noun) | សម្លេងអកម្ម
  The grammar form where the subject receives the action of the verb.
• Formal / Hypothetical (Adjectives)
  Suitable for an official occasion / Based on a possible idea, not a real one.
• Transparent (Adjective) | តម្លាភាព
  Honest and open; not secretive.
• Protocol (Noun) | ពិធីសារ / នីតិវិធី
  The official procedure or system of rules.

Your Mission: The Formal Recommendation ⭐

Your mission is to practice using these formal structures to make a professional recommendation.

1. Think of a real problem you would like to see solved (at work, university, or in your city).
2. Prepare a short, formal speech (60-90 seconds) proposing a solution.
3. Your Goal: You must include at least one subjunctive form (e.g., "I suggest that...") and one advanced passive form (e.g., "This problem should have been...").
4. Record yourself delivering your speech.

Example: "Good morning. The issue of office parking is inadequate. A solution should have been found years ago. Therefore, I recommend that a new parking area be constructed. It is essential that this issue be taken seriously."