Active / Passive Overview

Active Passive

Simple Once a week, Tom cleans the house. Once a week, the house is cleaned by
Present Tom.

Present Right now, Sarah is writing the letter. Right now, the letter is being written by
Continuous Sarah.

Simple Sam repaired the car. The car was repaired by Sam.
Past

Past The salesman was helping the customer The customer was being helped by the
Continuous when the thief came into the store. salesman when the thief came into the
store.

Present Many tourists have visited that castle. That castle has been visited by many
Perfect tourists.

Present Recently, John has been doing the work. Recently, the work has been being done
Perfect by John.
Continuous

Past George had repaired many cars before Many cars had been repaired by George
Perfect he received his mechanic's license. before he received his mechanic's license.

Past Chef Jones had been preparing the The restaurant's fantastic dinners had
Perfect restaurant's fantastic dinners for two been being prepared by Chef Jones for
Continuous years before he moved to Paris. two years before he moved to Paris.

Simple Someone will finish the work by 5:00 The work will be finished by 5:00 PM.
Future PM.
WILL

Simple Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner A beautiful dinner is going to be made by
Future tonight. Sally tonight.
BE GOING TO

Future At 8:00 PM tonight, John will be At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes will be
Continuous washing the dishes. being washed by John.
WILL

Future At 8:00 PM tonight, John is going to be At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes are going
Continuous washing the dishes. to be being washed by John.
BE GOING TO

Future They will have completed the project The project will have been completed
Perfect before the deadline. before the deadline.
WILL

Future They are going to have completed the The project is going to have been
Perfect project before the deadline. completed before the deadline.
BE GOING TO

Future The famous artist will have been The mural will have been being painted
Perfect painting the mural for over six months by by the famous artist for over six months by
Continuous the time it is finished. the time it is finished.
WILL

Future The famous artist is going to have been The mural is going to have been being
Perfect painting the mural for over six months by painted by the famous artist for over six
Continuous the time it is finished. months by the time it is finished.
BE GOING TO

Used to Jerry used to pay the bills. The bills used to be paid by Jerry.

Would My mother would always make the pies. The pies would always be made by my
Always mother.

Future in I knew John would finish the work by I knew the work would be finished by
the Past 5:00 PM. 5:00 PM.
WOULD

Future in I thought Sally was going to make a I thought a beautiful dinner was going to
the Past beautiful dinner tonight. be made by Sally tonight.
WAS GOING
TO