B1 Passive & Reported Speech 16 min read متوسط

صيغة المجهول مع الأفعال الناقصة: يمكن القيام به

Discuss possibilities, necessities, and obligations effortlessly by combining modals with the passive voice.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'Modal + be + Past Participle' to focus on what happens to an object when using words like can, must, or should.

  • Always use 'be' in its base form after the modal: 'It can be fixed' (not 'is fixed').
  • The main verb must be a past participle: 'The work should be done' (not 'do' or 'did').
  • For negatives, put 'not' between the modal and 'be': 'It cannot be opened'.
📦 Object + 🛠️ Modal + 🐝 be + ✅ Past Participle

نظرة عامة

هل لاحظت يومًا أن الشخص الذي يقوم بالفعل ليس بهذا القدر من الأهمية؟ أنت تتصفح تيك توك وترى وصفة انتشرت بسرعة. لا يهمك من صنعها؛ بل يهمك فقط أنها can be cooked (يمكن طهيها) في خمس دقائق.
هذه هي قوة المبني للمجهول مع الأفعال الناقصة! تتيح لك التحدث عما هو ممكن أو ضروري أو مقترح دون توجيه أصابع الاتهام لأي شخص. إنها مثل السحر لجملك، حيث تنقل الأضواء من 'من' إلى 'ماذا'.
إذا أردت يومًا أن تبدو أكثر احترافية في اجتماع زووم أو مجرد شرح سبب وجوب تنظيف غرفتك must be cleaned قبل وصول والديك، فأنت في المكان الصحيح.
المبني للمجهول مع الأفعال الناقصة هو طريقة منمقة للقول بأن شيئًا ما يمكن أو يجب أو ينبغي أن يحدث لشيء ما. في الجملة العادية، نقول I can fix the phone. ولكن في المبني للمجهول، يأخذ الهاتف مركز الصدارة: The phone can be fixed.
نستخدم هذا عندما نريد التحدث عن القواعد أو الاحتمالات أو النصائح دون التركيز على شخص معين. إنه شائع جدًا في تعليقات وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي، وأدلة التعليمات، وحتى عند طلب الطعام عبر تطبيق. إنه يجعل لغتك الإنجليزية تبدو سلسة وموضوعية.

كيف تعمل هذه القاعدة

فكر في جملتك وكأنها موقع تصوير سينمائي. عادةً ما يكون الفاعل هو بطل العرض. مع المبني للمجهول، نقوم بطرد الممثل الرئيسي وننقل الديكور (المفعول به) إلى المقدمة.
الفعل الناقص (مثل can أو should أو must) يبقى في المنتصف ليخبرنا بـ 'مزاج' الفعل. هل هو احتمال؟ استخدم can.
هل هو مطلب؟ استخدم must. هل هي فكرة جيدة؟
استخدم should. المكون السري هو كلمة be متبوعة باسم المفعول (التصريف الثالث للفعل).

نمط التكوين

1
إنشاء هذه الجمل أسهل من اختيار ما ستشاهده على نتفليكس. فقط اتبع هذه الخطوات الثلاث:
2
ابدأ بـ Object (الشيء الذي يقع عليه الفعل).
3
أضف Modal Verb (فعل ناقص) متبوعًا بكلمة be.
4
انتهِ بـ Past Participle (اسم المفعول - التصريف الثالث).
5
Structure: Object + Modal + be + Past Participle

متى نستخدمها

ستجد هذا النمط في كل مكان في العالم الحديث. إليك السيناريوهات الكبيرة الثلاثة:
  • Possibility & Ability (can): للتحدث عما هو ممكن. Photos can be taken here.
  • Obligation & Rules (must): للأمور الجادة مثل The bill must be paid.
  • Advice & Suggestions (should): عندما تريد تقديم نصيحة دون أن تكون متسلطًا للغاية.

الأخطاء الشائعة

  • نسيان be: لا تقل It can done. قل It can be done.
  • استخدام تصريف خاطئ: لا تقل should be send. قل should be sent.

مقارنة مع أنماط مشابهة

  • Active: You can use this filter (يركز عليك).
  • Passive with Modal: This filter can be used (يركز على الفلتر).

أسئلة شائعة

Q

هل يجب أن أقول من فعل ذلك؟

لا! هذا هو الهدف من المبني للمجهول.

2. Negative Contractions

Full Form Contracted Form Usage
cannot be
can't be
Common in speech
should not be
shouldn't be
Common in speech
must not be
mustn't be
Common in speech/British English
will not be
won't be
Very common
could not be
couldn't be
Common in speech
might not be
mightn't be
Rare, mostly British

Modal Passive Structure

Subject (Receiver) Modal Verb Auxiliary 'be' Past Participle (V3)
The work
can
be
done
The rules
must
be
followed
The letter
should
be
written
The house
might
be
sold
The truth
will
be
known
The decision
may
be
changed
The car
could
be
fixed
The laws
ought to
be
obeyed

Meanings

A grammatical construction used to express modality (possibility, necessity, obligation) while keeping the focus on the person or thing receiving the action rather than the one performing it.

1

Possibility/Ability

Expressing that an action is possible for the object.

“The problem can be solved easily.”

“A solution might be found soon.”

2

Obligation/Necessity

Expressing that an action is required or mandatory for the object.

“The law must be obeyed.”

“The taxes have to be paid by Friday.”

3

Permission/Prohibition

Expressing what is allowed or forbidden regarding the object.

“Phones may not be used during the exam.”

“The room can be rented for parties.”

Reference Table

Reference table for صيغة المجهول مع الأفعال الناقصة: يمكن القيام به
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Obj + Modal + be + V3
The cake will be eaten.
Negative
Obj + Modal + not + be + V3
The cake won't be eaten.
Question
Modal + Obj + be + V3?
Will the cake be eaten?
Short Answer (+)
Yes, Obj + Modal.
Yes, it will.
Short Answer (-)
No, Obj + Modal + not.
No, it won't.
With 'By' Agent
Obj + Modal + be + V3 + by...
The cake will be eaten by us.
Past Modal Passive
Obj + Modal + have been + V3
The cake should have been eaten.

طيف الرسمية

رسمي
The report must be submitted by 5 PM.

The report must be submitted by 5 PM. (Workplace deadline)

محايد
The report needs to be handed in by 5.

The report needs to be handed in by 5. (Workplace deadline)

غير رسمي
The report's gotta be done by 5.

The report's gotta be done by 5. (Workplace deadline)

عامية
Get that report in by 5, no cap.

Get that report in by 5, no cap. (Workplace deadline)

The Modal Passive Universe

Modal Passive

Possibility

  • Can be Ability
  • Might be Uncertainty

Obligation

  • Must be Strong necessity
  • Should be Advice

Permission

  • May be Formal permission
  • Can be Informal permission

Active vs. Passive Modals

Active (Focus on Doer)
We must sign it. We = Important
Passive (Focus on Action)
It must be signed. Action = Important

Is it Modal Passive?

1

Is there a modal (can, must, etc.)?

YES
Go to next step
NO
Standard Passive
2

Is the focus on the receiver?

YES
Use Modal Passive
NO
Use Active Modal
3

Did you add 'be'?

YES
Correct!
NO
Add 'be' before the V3

Common Past Participles for Passive

📝

Regular

  • Finished
  • Cleaned
  • Fixed
  • Opened
🌀

Irregular

  • Done
  • Written
  • Seen
  • Taken
  • Broken

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

The window can be opened.

It is possible to open the window.

2

The food must be hot.

The food needs to be hot.

3

The book can be read.

It is possible to read the book.

4

The car must be clean.

The car needs to be clean.

1

The room should be cleaned every day.

It is a good idea to clean the room daily.

2

The email can be sent now.

You are able to send the email now.

3

The door must not be locked.

Do not lock the door.

4

Can the bill be paid by credit card?

Is it possible to pay with a card?

1

The application must be submitted by Friday.

You are required to hand in the application by Friday.

2

The results might be announced tomorrow.

There is a chance they will tell us the results tomorrow.

3

This software can be downloaded for free.

You are able to get this software without paying.

4

The meeting should be rescheduled.

I suggest we change the time of the meeting.

1

The project ought to be completed ahead of schedule.

It is expected that the project will finish early.

2

Such behavior will not be tolerated in this office.

We will not allow this kind of behavior.

3

The data could be interpreted in several ways.

There are different ways to understand the data.

4

The contract may be terminated with 30 days' notice.

Either party can end the contract if they give notice.

1

It could be argued that the policy was a failure.

One might make the argument that the policy failed.

2

The implications must be carefully considered.

We need to think very deeply about the consequences.

3

No part of this book may be reproduced without permission.

You are not allowed to copy this book.

4

The witness should be questioned further.

It is necessary to ask the witness more questions.

1

The nuances of the text might be overlooked by a casual reader.

A normal reader might not notice the small details.

2

It is imperative that the status quo be maintained.

It is absolutely necessary that things stay as they are.

3

The debt shall be repaid in full by the end of the fiscal year.

The debt must be paid back completely.

4

The truth of the matter can only be surmised.

We can only guess what the truth is.

سهل الخلط

Passive Voice with Modals: It Can Be Done مقابل Passive vs. Active Modals

Learners often use the active form when they mean the passive because it's simpler.

Passive Voice with Modals: It Can Be Done مقابل Must be vs. Have to be

They mean the same thing, but 'have to' conjugates like a normal verb.

Passive Voice with Modals: It Can Be Done مقابل Modal Passive vs. Modal Continuous

Learners confuse 'be doing' with 'be done'.

أخطاء شائعة

It can done.

It can be done.

Missing the auxiliary 'be'.

It must be do.

It must be done.

Using the base verb instead of the past participle.

The car can be fix.

The car can be fixed.

Forgetting the -ed ending for regular verbs.

Must be the door closed?

Must the door be closed?

Incorrect word order in questions.

It should be not opened.

It should not be opened.

Incorrect placement of 'not'.

The letters can been sent.

The letters can be sent.

Confusing 'be' with 'been'.

He can be tell.

He can be told.

Using the wrong irregular participle.

The work must is done.

The work must be done.

Conjugating 'be' after a modal.

It might be can fixed.

It might be fixed.

Using two modals together (double modals).

The house should be sell.

The house should be sold.

Using base form for irregular verbs.

The task needs be done.

The task needs to be done.

Treating 'need' as a modal when it requires 'to'.

It may be being processed.

It may be processed.

Over-complicating with the continuous passive when not needed.

أنماط الجُمل

The ___ must be ___ by ___.

It can be ___ easily.

___ should not be ___ without ___.

How can the ___ be ___?

Real World Usage

Job Interviews very common

The successful candidate will be notified by email.

Public Signage constant

Hard hats must be worn on this site.

Tech Support common

This issue can be resolved by restarting your device.

Cooking Recipes occasional

The mixture should be stirred until smooth.

Legal Contracts very common

This agreement may be modified only in writing.

Social Media Rules common

Your account might be suspended if you break the rules.

🎯

The 'By' Test

If you can add 'by zombies' to the end of your sentence and it still makes sense grammatically, it's a passive sentence! (e.g., 'The door must be opened... by zombies.')
⚠️

Don't conjugate 'be'

Never say 'It can is done' or 'They must are finished'. After a modal, 'be' is always just 'be'.
💡

Polite Complaints

Use the modal passive to complain without being rude. 'The room should have been cleaned' sounds better than 'You didn't clean the room.'
💬

Formal vs Informal

In very casual speech, we often avoid the passive. Instead of 'It can be done,' we say 'We can do it.' Use the passive to sound more professional.

Smart Tips

Use 'should be' or 'could be' to make requests. It sounds less like a command.

You must fix this error. This error should be fixed as soon as possible.

Check if there is a modal before it. If so, you are looking at a modal passive!

The work is done. The work can be done.

Always use the 'third form' from your verb list (e.g., go-went-GONE).

It must be went. It must be gone.

Use 'must be' + V3. It is the standard way to express non-negotiable requirements.

You have to wear a seatbelt. Seatbelts must be worn.

النطق

It can be /kənbi/ done.

The 'be' reduction

In natural speech, the word 'be' is often unstressed and sounds like a quick /bi/ or even /bə/.

It can't be /kæntbi/ fixed.

Modal + not contraction

Contractions like 'can't' or 'won't' are much more common than 'cannot' or 'will not' in spoken English.

Emphasis on the Modal

It MUST be done!

Conveys strong urgency or insistence.

Emphasis on the Participle

It can be FIXED.

Conveys that the action is possible, even if difficult.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Remember 'MBP': Modal + Be + Participle. It's the 'Most Basic Passive' formula.

ربط بصري

Imagine a robot on an assembly line. The robot doesn't care who built it, only that it 'must be built'. See the word 'BE' glowing in the middle of the robot's chest.

Rhyme

If a modal is what you see, don't forget the little word 'be'!

Story

A detective arrives at a crime scene. He doesn't know who did it, so he says: 'The door must be opened, the fingerprints must be taken, and the truth will be found.' He focuses on the actions because the 'who' is a mystery.

Word Web

can bemust beshould bemight bewill becould bemay be

تحدٍّ

Look around your room. Find 3 things and say what 'must be done' to them (e.g., 'The bed must be made', 'The window should be cleaned').

ملاحظات ثقافية

British speakers use 'mustn't be' more frequently than Americans, who often prefer 'shouldn't be' or 'can't be' for prohibitions.

The modal passive is used to avoid 'blame culture'. Instead of saying 'You didn't finish the report,' a manager says 'The report should have been finished,' focusing on the task.

Legal documents use 'shall be' to indicate a binding obligation, which is rarely used in everyday speech.

The passive voice in English evolved from Old English using 'weorthan' (to become) and 'beon' (to be). Modals were originally independent verbs that gradually became auxiliaries.

بدايات محادثة

What is one thing in your city that should be improved?

Do you think AI can be used to replace teachers?

What rules must be followed in your workplace?

If you were president, what laws would be changed?

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Write about a dream house. What features must be included?
Describe a perfect school system. How should students be graded?
Argue for or against a new law. Why must it be passed?

أخطاء شائعة

Incorrect

صحيح


Incorrect

صحيح


Incorrect

صحيح


Incorrect

صحيح

Test Yourself

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

The application form must ___ (sign) by the applicant.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: be signed
The formula is Modal (must) + be + Past Participle (signed).
Choose the correct passive sentence. اختيار متعدد

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The car can be fixed tomorrow.
We need 'be' and the past participle 'fixed'.
Find the mistake in this sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

The secret should not be tell to anyone.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tell
The past participle of 'tell' is 'told'.
Change the active sentence to passive. Sentence Transformation

Active: You must wash this shirt by hand.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This shirt must be washed by hand.
The object 'this shirt' becomes the subject, followed by 'must be' and the participle 'washed'.
Is this grammar rule true or false? True False Rule

In the modal passive, the word 'be' changes to 'is' if the subject is singular (e.g., 'He').

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
The word 'be' always stays in its base form after a modal verb.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Can I take this book home? B: No, it ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: must be kept in the library
The passive form 'must be kept' correctly expresses the rule.
Which of these is a correct modal passive? Grammar Sorting

Select the valid structure:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It might be seen.
Modal (might) + be + V3 (seen).
Match the active to the passive. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It can be solved.
The modal 'can' must be preserved in the passive form.

Score: /8

تمارين تطبيقية

8 exercises
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

The application form must ___ (sign) by the applicant.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: be signed
The formula is Modal (must) + be + Past Participle (signed).
Choose the correct passive sentence. اختيار متعدد

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The car can be fixed tomorrow.
We need 'be' and the past participle 'fixed'.
Find the mistake in this sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

The secret should not be tell to anyone.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tell
The past participle of 'tell' is 'told'.
Change the active sentence to passive. Sentence Transformation

Active: You must wash this shirt by hand.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This shirt must be washed by hand.
The object 'this shirt' becomes the subject, followed by 'must be' and the participle 'washed'.
Is this grammar rule true or false? True False Rule

In the modal passive, the word 'be' changes to 'is' if the subject is singular (e.g., 'He').

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
The word 'be' always stays in its base form after a modal verb.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Can I take this book home? B: No, it ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: must be kept in the library
The passive form 'must be kept' correctly expresses the rule.
Which of these is a correct modal passive? Grammar Sorting

Select the valid structure:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It might be seen.
Modal (might) + be + V3 (seen).
Match the active to the passive. Match Pairs

Match 'We can solve it' with its passive form.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It can be solved.
The modal 'can' must be preserved in the passive form.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence. املأ الفراغ

This email ___ sent to the wrong person. Please retrieve it.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: might be
Find and fix the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

The new rules must explained clearly.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The new rules must be explained clearly.
Which sentence correctly uses the passive voice with a modal? اختيار متعدد

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Your request may be granted soon.
Type the correct English sentence الترجمة

Translate into English: 'El trabajo puede ser completado mañana.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["The work can be completed tomorrow.","The work can be finished tomorrow."]
Put the words in order to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The website should be updated by tonight.
Match each modal with its correct passive form. Match Pairs

Match the modals with their passive constructions:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the correct option. املأ الفراغ

These delicate items ___ handled with care.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: should be
Identify and correct the grammatical error. Error Correction

Our flight could be delay due to the storm.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Our flight could be delayed due to the storm.
Translate the sentence into English. الترجمة

Translate into English: 'Las noticias serán anunciadas pronto.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["The news will be announced soon."]
Rearrange the words to form a grammatically correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mistakes can be easily avoided.
Select the sentence with correct grammar. اختيار متعدد

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Your proposal might be reviewed by the end of the week.
Match the modal with the appropriate passive action. Match Pairs

Connect the modals to their suitable passive completions:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched

Score: /12

الأسئلة الشائعة (8)

Yes, in informal English you can say 'It might get done,' but 'be' is much more common and safer for B1 learners.

English doesn't allow two modals together. You can't say 'It might can be done.' Use 'It might be possible to do it' instead.

No, in fact, we usually omit it if the person doing the action is obvious or not important.

Move the modal to the front: 'Can it be fixed?' or 'Should the meeting be moved?'

Because modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the next verb. The base form of 'is/am/are' is `be`.

Most can (can, could, must, should, may, might, will, would). 'Shall' is rare but possible in legal texts.

Technically, 'have to' is a semi-modal, but it follows the same passive pattern: 'have to + be + V3'.

Avoid it in very casual conversation with friends, as it can sound too formal or 'robotic'.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

puede ser + participio / se puede + infinitivo

English always requires the auxiliary 'be', whereas Spanish often uses the reflexive 'se'.

French high

peut être + participe passé

French participles must agree in gender and number with the subject, unlike English.

German moderate

kann ... werden + Partizip II

The auxiliary 'werden' and the modal create a 'verb bracket' where the participle goes to the very end of the sentence.

Japanese low

〜れる / 〜られる (passive suffix) + modal

Japanese doesn't use a separate 'be' verb; the passive is built into the main verb's conjugation.

Arabic low

Passive verb form + modal (yumkin/yajib)

There is no equivalent to the English 'be' auxiliary in Arabic passive constructions.

Chinese partial

可以被 (kěyǐ bèi) + verb

Chinese verbs do not change form (no past participle), so the 'V3' concept is entirely new to Chinese learners.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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