Passive Voice in Present Continuous
The passive voice in present continuous is English's most dynamic passive construction, combining the ongoing nature of continuous tenses with the focus-shifting power of passive voice. Formed with am/is/are + being + past participle, this structure allows you to emphasise ongoing actions whilst highlighting what is being done rather than who is doing it, making it perfect for describing processes in progress.
What makes present continuous passive particularly valuable is its ability to capture the immediacy and ongoing nature of actions whilst maintaining the formal, objective tone that passive voice provides. This combination is essential for describing current procedures, ongoing investigations, active construction projects, and any situation where continuous action is happening to something or someone right now.
The present continuous passive is especially useful in professional contexts, news reporting, and formal descriptions where you need to convey that processes are actively taking place without necessarily identifying the people responsible. It creates a sense of immediacy and progress whilst maintaining appropriate distance from the agents performing the actions.
Understanding this tense will help you describe ongoing situations more precisely, create more sophisticated sentence structures, and communicate about current processes and developments with the right level of formality and focus in both professional and academic contexts.
Formation
Structure
Subject + am/is/are + being + past participle + (by + agent)
The subject receives ongoing action, emphasising the continuous process
Active to Passive Examples:
Active:
The team is building a new bridge.
Passive:
A new bridge is being built.
Active:
They are investigating the case.
Passive:
The case is being investigated.
All Forms:
- I am being interviewed for the job.
- You are being watched carefully.
- He/She/It is being repaired right now.
- We are being relocated to the new office.
- They are being trained this week.
Negative and Question Forms
Positive:
- The house is being painted.
- New laws are being created.
- The problem is being solved.
Negative:
- The house is not being painted.
- New laws aren't being created.
- The problem isn't being solved.
Questions:
- Is the house being painted?
- Are new laws being created?
- What is being discussed?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ "The house is build right now."
✅ "The house is being built right now."
Must use 'being' for continuous passive, plus past participle
❌ "The cars are being wash."
✅ "The cars are being washed."
Use past participle after 'being', not base form
❌ "The letter is being written from John."
✅ "The letter is being written by John."
Always use 'by' to introduce the agent (doer)
❌ "The reports is being prepared."
✅ "The reports are being prepared."
Match 'be' verb with plural subjects
Common Time Expressions
Current Actions:
- right now - The building is being constructed right now.
- at the moment - Files are being transferred at the moment.
- currently - The issue is currently being resolved.
- presently - New staff are presently being trained.
Ongoing Periods:
- this week - The office is being painted this week.
- these days - More products are being recycled these days.
- this month - Accounts are being audited this month.
- today - Interviews are being conducted today.
Usage in Different Contexts
Business/Professional:
- "The project is being managed by our London team."
- "New policies are being implemented across all departments."
- "The budget is being reviewed by senior management."
- "Staff are being relocated to the new headquarters."
News/Media:
- "The incident is being investigated by police."
- "Emergency services are being deployed to the area."
- "The situation is being monitored closely."
- "Rescue operations are being carried out."
Quick Reference Guide
Remember:
- Formation: am/is/are + being + past participle
- Focus: Ongoing actions happening to someone/something
- Timing: Actions in progress right now or during current period
- Tone: Formal and objective, focuses on process not people
- Questions: Move am/is/are before subject, keep 'being'
- Negatives: Add 'not' after am/is/are, before 'being'
- Don't forget 'being': Essential for continuous passive