Micro-listening
Modal passive: rules and examples
What is the modal passive and how do you use it?
The modal passive is formed with a subject + modal verb + be + past participle, as in 'The booking can be changed online.' Use it to focus on the action or the thing receiving it, rather than the person doing it. Put 'not' after the modal in negatives; start questions with the modal.
Key points
- Keep the order: subject, modal, be, then past participle.
- The modal stays the same for singular and plural subjects.
- Put not directly after the modal in negative sentences.
- Add a by phrase only when the actor matters.
This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.
At a glance
| Form | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Active modal | Focuses on the person or thing doing the action. | The caretaker can unlock the side entrance. |
| Modal passive | Focuses on the receiver of the action or the action itself. | The side entrance can be unlocked remotely. |
Stage 1 of 5
Understand
What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.
The full explanation
A modal verb adds shades of meaning such as requirement, possibility, advice, or future expectation. The passive structure puts the receiver of the action into the subject position. Together, they form statements like 'The form must be signed' or 'Tickets can be printed'. The listener immediately understands what needs to happen to the object without needing to know who performs the task.
All conference badges must be returned before exiting the hall.
Why it works: Must expresses a compulsory rule, while be returned focuses on the badges rather than the person collecting them.
3 more examples
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Old office laptops can be recycled through our electronics program.
Can indicates an available option, and be recycled highlights what can happen to the equipment.
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Fresh bread should be stored in a cool breadbox to stay soft.
Should provides helpful advice on food care without sounding like an absolute command.
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The final competition results will be announced at six o'clock.
Will expresses an expected future event, with be announced emphasizing the outcome over the judges.
Read the full guide
Decide what to put first
Choose a modal passive when the person receiving the action or the action itself matters most. In everyday notices, you often care about what happens to an object rather than who handles it. Active sentences name the worker first. Modal passives put the object first, so your listener immediately hears what needs attention.
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All visitor badges must be returned before leaving.
Why it works: The badge is the focus. The sentence explains the rule without naming the security guard.
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New office chairs can be ordered online.
Why it works: The chairs are the topic. The sentence highlights the possibility rather than the buyer.
Your turn
Why would an office manager say, 'The kitchen must be cleaned every evening'?
Answer: To emphasize the rule about the room rather than the cleaner
Show the answer
Answer: To emphasize the rule about the room rather than the cleaner
The sentence highlights the kitchen and the rule. The identity of the cleaner is not the main point.
Connect the modal, be, and the participle
Build the verb phrase with three parts in a fixed order. Start with a modal verb like can, should, or will. Add the base form be immediately after the modal. Finish the phrase with a past participle. Never insert extra words like to, and never change be to is, are, or been.
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The software update will be installed tonight.
Why it works: Will is the modal, be is in base form, and installed is the regular past participle.
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These paper boxes can be recycled easily.
Why it works: Can combines with be and the past participle recycled to show an available action.
You can practise this again in Reflexive Pronouns: Rules and Examples and English Conditionals: Rules and Real Examples.
Your turn
Which sentence shows the correct modal passive form?
Answer: The broken window can be repaired tomorrow.
Show the answer
Answer: The broken window can be repaired tomorrow.
A modal passive requires the base verb be followed by a past participle such as repaired.
Choose between rules and advice
Use must be when an action is compulsory. Safety instructions and official policies rely on this form to show necessity. When you want to give helpful guidance or polite recommendations instead of a strict command, use should be. Choosing the right modal tells the reader how urgent or flexible the action is.
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Protective boots must be worn in the warehouse.
Why it works: Must shows a strict safety requirement that workers have to follow.
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Meeting notes should be shared with the whole team.
Why it works: Should suggests good workplace practice without creating a legal command.
Your turn
Which sentence expresses a strict, mandatory requirement?
Answer: Personal passwords must be kept secret.
Show the answer
Answer: Personal passwords must be kept secret.
Must creates an obligation, showing that keeping passwords secret is required rather than optional advice.
Describe possibility and options
Use can be or could be to explain what is possible or allowed. Can shows realistic choices or standard permissions. Could suggests a possible option that depends on other decisions. When you discuss an event that might happen but remains uncertain, use may be or might be to show that possibility.
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Bus tickets can be purchased on your phone.
Why it works: Can indicates an available option and general permission for travelers.
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The afternoon delivery might be delayed by rain.
Why it works: Might shows that a delay is possible, though not certain.
Your turn
Which sentence shows that an outcome is possible but uncertain?
Answer: The outdoor concert might be canceled if storms arrive.
Show the answer
Answer: The outdoor concert might be canceled if storms arrive.
Might expresses an uncertain possibility that depends on future weather.
Place not right after the modal
To form a negative statement, put not directly after the modal verb. Keep be and the past participle together after the negative word. With must not, you express a clear prohibition. With cannot, you show that an action is impossible. Never put not after be in a modal passive sentence.
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Confidential client records must not be shared.
Why it works: Must not creates a firm rule against sharing the information.
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A deleted account cannot be restored later.
Why it works: Cannot shows that restoring the account is impossible.
Your turn
Which sentence is correctly formed?
Answer: Plastic bottles must not be thrown in the paper bin.
Show the answer
Answer: Plastic bottles must not be thrown in the paper bin.
In negative modal passives, not sits immediately after the modal must and before be.
Start questions with the modal
When asking a question, move the modal verb to the front of the clause, before the subject. The subject stays between the modal and be. Follow be with the past participle as usual. This structure lets you ask whether a service is possible, required, or planned without mentioning who does it.
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Can this suitcase be checked as cabin baggage?
Why it works: Can begins the question, followed by the subject suitcase, then be checked.
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Should the heating be turned down at night?
Why it works: Should opens the inquiry about whether turning down the heating is advisable.
Your turn
Which question asks correctly about reserving a conference room?
Answer: Can the conference room be booked for Monday?
Show the answer
Answer: Can the conference room be booked for Monday?
The modal can comes first, then the subject the conference room, followed by be booked.
Include the actor only when necessary
Most modal passives leave out the person doing the action because the actor is obvious, unknown, or unimportant. However, you can add by at the end of the clause when the specific person or group adds valuable information. If the name does not help the listener take action, leave it out.
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Every expense claim must be approved by the regional director.
Why it works: Naming the regional director matters because only that specific person holds authority.
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The hallway floor should be washed twice a week.
Why it works: The sentence omits the cleaner because the routine task matters more than who does it.
Your turn
When is adding 'by' plus an agent useful in a modal passive?
Answer: When the listener needs to know the exact authority or responsible person
Show the answer
Answer: When the listener needs to know the exact authority or responsible person
Add by followed by the actor when the specific person or authority provides essential information.
Notice weak forms in conversation
In natural speech, speakers emphasize the modal verb or the main participle, while be is unstressed and short. Because be sounds very brief, listeners sometimes miss it completely and confuse passive sentences with active ones. Listening for the -ed or irregular ending on the participle helps you recognize that someone receives the action.
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The parcel should be delivered around noon.
Why it works: Should and delivered carry stress, while be links quickly to the verb.
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Spare keys can be collected from reception.
Why it works: Can and collected take primary stress, making be sound quick and light.
Your turn
Why is 'be' sometimes hard to hear in spoken modal passives?
Answer: Because speakers pronounce 'be' quickly and without stress between verbs
Show the answer
Answer: Because speakers pronounce 'be' quickly and without stress between verbs
In spoken English, be is unstressed and connects rapidly to the following participle.
Common mistakes
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
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Not this:
The parcel should delivered this afternoon.Say: The parcel should be delivered this afternoon.
A modal passive needs base-form be between the modal and the past participle.
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Not this:
The files must be not copied.Say: The files must not be copied.
Put not immediately after the modal, before be.
-
Not this:
Can be the form downloaded?Say: Can the form be downloaded?
In a question, put the modal first, then the subject.
Questions about "Modal passive: rules and examples"
How do I choose between an active modal and a modal passive sentence?
Choose active voice when you want to highlight who performs the action. Choose modal passive when the person or object receiving the action is the most important part of the sentence, or when the actor is obvious or unknown.
Active: The technician will repair the printer.
Passive: The printer will be repaired tomorrow morning.
Can I say 'The report should sent' instead of 'The report should be sent'?
No. A modal passive requires the base verb be after the modal. Without be, the verb phrase is incomplete and grammatically incorrect. Always include be between the modal and the past participle.
Incorrect: The report should sent today.
Correct: The report should be sent today.
Do I always need to add 'by' and a person at the end of a modal passive?
No. Most modal passives do not need a by phrase. You only include by when naming the person or organization provides essential information that the listener needs.
Without agent: The front gate must be locked at midnight.
With agent: The proposal must be signed by the department head.
Where does the word 'not' go in a negative modal passive?
Put not directly after the modal verb, before be. For example, write must not be used or cannot be changed. Putting not after be is a common word order mistake.
Correct: Work files must not be copied onto personal devices.
Incorrect: Work files must be not copied onto personal devices.
Before you go
Remember this
To build a modal passive, connect a modal verb with be and a past participle. Use this structure to focus on actions, rules, and outcomes in workplace and public settings. Remember to keep be in its base form, put not immediately after the modal in negatives, and place the modal first when forming questions.
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Describe three guidelines for new members joining your local sports club. Explain what must be worn during games, where equipment can be found, and what should be done after training finishes.
Use: modal passive: rules and examples
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