In addition to having simple present passive (“is done”) and simple past passive (“was done”), we also have the present continuous passive and the present perfect passive. As before, the passive indicates that the doer of the action is unspecified.
Present Continuous Passive: is/are being …
Examples:
Please take the stairs – the elevator is being fixed. (= someone is fixing the elevator)
Tom is being picked up after school. (= someone is picking Tom up after school)
We can’t check into our hotel room yet – it’s (it is) being cleaned right now. (= someone is cleaning the room now)
Present Perfect Passive: has/have been …
Examples:
You don’t have to take the stairs anymore – the elevator has been fixed. (= someone has fixed it)
Tom has already been picked up – he doesn’t need a ride now. (= someone has already picked up Tom)
Let’s check into our room now – it’s (it has) been cleaned. (= someone has cleaned the room)
Exercises: Use the present continuous (is/are being…) or the present perfect (has/have been…) with the words in the parentheses to complete the sentences.
Example:
The tree (cut) down tomorrow.==> The tree is being cut down tomorrow.
1. Don’t sit down on the sofa. It (clean) right now.
2. We (invite) to a wedding on Saturday, so keep your schedule open for that day.
3. The president’s speech (broadcast) on TV tonight.
4. You’ll have to wait to do the laundry. The washing machine (fix).
5. Our living room (paint), so we are spending the day at the mall.
6. Your grandmother’s wedding dress (repair / clean / and box up), so it’s as good as new.
7. The window (break)! Which one of the neighborhood kids did it, do you think?
8. Twelve trees (cut) down to make space for a swimming pool.
9. Sorry I’m late. The bus (tie) up in traffic for 30 minutes.
10. The grass (already / mow), so you can cross that off your chore list.