Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 22 · A2

is being done, has been done (passive 2)

Is being done is the passive of the present continuous (happening now); has been done is the passive of the present perfect (a result now).

Start the lesson

9Steps · about 15 minutes

In this lesson

is being done, are being doneA1 screen of questions
has been done, have been doneB4 screens of questions

Point A of 2

is being done, are being done

Someone is decorating the hall. Active.

The hall is being decorated. Passive, present continuous: the work is going on right now.

Set that beside the hall is being swept right now (continuous) and the hall is swept every day (simple). Units 8 and 25 explain the difference.

  • My car's at the garage. It's being repaired.
  • Some new flats are being built opposite the park.
  • The hall is being swept right now.
  • The office is cleaned every day.
  • The trains usually run on Sundays, but none are running this Sunday because of engineering work.

Point A · Exercise 22.1

What is happening? Complete the sentences.

  1. Example

    A mechanic is working under a car.

    The car is being repaired.

    AnswerThe car is being repaired.

  2. Workers and cranes are putting up a bridge over a river.

    A bridge .

  3. A window cleaner is cleaning the windows of a shop.

    The windows .

  4. A man is pushing a lawnmower across the grass.

    The grass .

Point B of 2

has been done, have been done

Someone has decorated the hall. Active.

The hall has been decorated. Passive, present perfect: the job is done, and the result is visible now.

Set it has been swept (present perfect: the floor is clean now) beside it was swept on Monday (past simple). Unit 20 explains the difference.

  • My key has been stolen.
  • My keys have been stolen.
  • I won't be at the wedding. I haven't been asked.
  • Has this shirt been washed?
  • The car looks great. It has been washed.
  • The room was cleaned yesterday.
  • My bike isn't where I left it. I think it's been stolen.
  • My keys were stolen last week.

Point B · Exercise 22.2 · part 1 of 2

What is happening, or what has happened? Use is/are being ... or has/have been ... .

  1. Example

    A cleaner is mopping the office floor.

    (the office / clean)

    The office is being cleaned.

    AnswerThe office is being cleaned.

  2. Example

    A pile of neatly ironed shirts lies on a table.

    (the shirts / iron)

    The shirts have been ironed.

    AnswerThe shirts have been ironed.

  3. There is a hole in a window and broken glass on the floor.

    (the window / break)

  4. Two roofers are up a ladder replacing tiles.

    (the roof / repair)

  5. A car with a big dent in the door is parked in the street.

    (the car / damage)

  6. A digger is knocking down some old houses.

    (the houses / knock / down)

Point B · Exercise 22.2 · part 2 of 2

What is happening, or what has happened? Use is/are being ... or has/have been ... .

  1. Only tree stumps are left where there were trees.

    (the trees / cut / down)

  2. A couple are holding party invitations.

    (they / invite / to a party)

Point B · Exercise 22.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with the words in brackets. Use the passive forms in Units 21 and 22.

  1. Example

    We can't use the kitchen today. It is being painted (paint).

    AnswerWe can't use the kitchen today. It is being painted.

  2. Example

    We didn't go to the leaving do. We weren't invited (not / invite).

    AnswerWe didn't go to the leaving do. We weren't invited.

  3. The heating stopped working last week, but it's warm again now. It (repair).

  4. The washing machine (repair) yesterday afternoon.

  5. A brewery is somewhere beer (produce).

  6. How old are these cottages? When (they / build)?

Point B · Exercise 22.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with the words in brackets. Use the passive forms in Units 21 and 22.

  1. A: (the printer / use) right now? B: Yes, Leo's printing his essay.

  2. I've never seen these flowers before. What (they / call)?

  3. Two fences (blow) over in last night's gale.

  4. The bridge is shut at the moment. It (damage) last week and it (not / repair) yet.

Lesson 22 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: be/have/do in present and past tensesBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. is being done, are being done–Not checkedB. has been done, have been done–Not checked