Passive with Modals

Basic Structure

Modal + be + past participle

Common Modal Passives

Can/Could (ability, possibility)

• This problem can be solved.
• The document could be edited by anyone.
• It can’t be done in one day.

Must/Have to (obligation)

• Homework must be submitted by Friday.
• Safety rules have to be followed.
• This must be kept secret.

Should/Ought to (advice)

• Children should be taught to read early.
• Mistakes should be corrected immediately.
• Old buildings ought to be preserved.

May/Might (possibility, permission)

• The meeting may be postponed.
• Visitors might be asked to show ID.
• Photos may not be taken here.

Will/Would (future, polite requests)

• The winners will be announced tomorrow.
• I hope I would be remembered.
• This issue will be addressed soon.

Perfect Modal Passives

Modal + have been + past participle

For past situations:

Should have been (advice about the past)

• The letter should have been sent earlier.
• You should have been told about this.

Must have been (deduction about the past)

• The window must have been broken by the storm.
• He must have been warned by someone.

Could have been (past possibility)

• The accident could have been prevented.
• More people could have been saved.

Might have been (past possibility)

• The package might have been delivered already.
• She might have been injured in the fall.

Negative Forms

• It can’t be opened without a key.
• This shouldn’t be discussed in public.
• The deadline couldn’t be extended.
• The document mustn’t be shared.

Practice Examples

“All packages must be inspected before shipping. Fragile items should be handled with care and might be delayed. This policy could have been implemented sooner, but it will be enforced strictly from now on.”

Multiple modal passives showing obligation, advice, and possibility.

Quiz