Passive Voice with Modal Verbs
Passive voice with modal verbs combines the objectivity and formality of passive voice with the nuanced meanings of modal verbs, creating sophisticated structures for expressing necessity, possibility, permission, advice, and obligation whilst maintaining focus on what needs to be done rather than who should do it. This combination is essential for professional communication, formal instructions, diplomatic language, and situations requiring tactful expression of requirements or suggestions.
What makes modal passive constructions particularly valuable is their ability to express degrees of certainty, necessity, and possibility whilst removing personal responsibility and maintaining objective tone. This makes them crucial in business communication, academic writing, official documentation, and professional contexts where you need to give instructions, make recommendations, or express requirements without directly assigning responsibility to specific individuals.
Modal verbs in passive voice also provide diplomatic and professional language for discussing problems, making suggestions, expressing obligations, and giving advice. This approach allows for polite, indirect communication whilst maintaining authority and clarity, making it invaluable in management situations, formal procedures, policy documents, and professional recommendations where tact and objectivity are essential.
Mastering passive voice with modal verbs will enhance your English to a professional level, enabling you to communicate requirements diplomatically, write formal procedures effectively, express recommendations objectively, and demonstrate sophisticated command of English's most professional and formal grammatical structures with precision and appropriate register.
Formation
Structure
Subject + modal verb + be + past participle + (by + agent)
The modal verb expresses the attitude/likelihood while the passive focuses on what should/must/can be done
Active to Passive Examples:
Active:
You must complete the report.
Passive:
The report must be completed.
Active:
We should review the documents.
Passive:
The documents should be reviewed.
Common Modal Patterns:
- The work must be finished today.
- The issue should be addressed immediately.
- The problem can be solved easily.
- The meeting might be postponed.
- The decision could be reconsidered.
Negative and Question Forms
Positive:
- The task must be completed.
- The documents should be signed.
- The issue can be resolved.
Negative:
- The task must not be delayed.
- The documents should not be shared.
- The issue cannot be ignored.
Questions:
- Must the task be completed today?
- Should the documents be signed?
- Can the issue be resolved quickly?
Modal Verbs in Passive Voice
Strong Necessity/Obligation
Must be + past participle
Strong obligation, requirement, or logical necessity
- The report must be submitted by Friday.
- Safety protocols must be followed at all times.
- The error must be corrected immediately.
Have to be + past participle
External obligation or requirement
- The forms have to be completed in black ink.
- All visitors have to be registered at reception.
- The equipment has to be tested regularly.
Advice/Recommendation
Should be + past participle
Advice, recommendation, or expectation
- The issue should be addressed promptly.
- The meeting should be rescheduled for next week.
- The data should be backed up regularly.
Ought to be + past participle
Moral obligation or strong recommendation
- The decision ought to be made democratically.
- The truth ought to be told to all stakeholders.
- The policy ought to be reviewed annually.
Ability/Possibility
Can be + past participle
Possibility, ability, or permission
- The problem can be solved with better planning.
- The documents can be accessed online.
- The meeting can be postponed if necessary.
Could be + past participle
Possibility, polite suggestion, or past ability
- The situation could be improved with more resources.
- The deadline could be extended if needed.
- The proposal could be modified to meet requirements.
Uncertainty/Speculation
May be + past participle
Formal possibility or permission
- The proposal may be reconsidered by the committee.
- Additional funding may be allocated next quarter.
- The regulations may be updated following the review.
Might be + past participle
Possibility or uncertainty
- The decision might be announced next week.
- The project might be delayed due to budget cuts.
- The event might be cancelled because of weather.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ "The work must done immediately."
✅ "The work must be done immediately."
Don't forget 'be' after modal verbs in passive
❌ "The documents should to be signed."
✅ "The documents should be signed."
Modal verbs are followed directly by 'be', not 'to be'
❌ "The problem can be solve easily."
✅ "The problem can be solved easily."
Use past participle, not base form after 'be'
❌ "The task must be do from John."
✅ "The task must be done by John."
Use 'by' for agents and past participle form
Modal Strength and Formality Levels
Context-Specific Usage
Formal Business Writing:
- The proposal should be reviewed by the board
- All contracts must be approved by legal
- The deadline could be extended if necessary
- Additional funding might be required
Academic Writing:
- The methodology should be described clearly
- Ethical approval must be obtained first
- The results could be interpreted differently
- Further research might be needed
Quick Reference Guide
Remember:
- Formation: modal + be + past participle
- Focus: What needs/should/can be done
- Tone: Professional, diplomatic, objective
- Agent: Usually omitted, can be mentioned with 'by'
- Questions: Move modal before subject
- Negatives: Add 'not' after modal (must not be, should not be)
- Perfect form: modal + have + been + past participle
- Usage: Instructions, advice, requirements, possibilities