Voz Pasiva con Modales: Se Puede Hacer
modal, be, y past participle!
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'.
Overview
can be cooked (se puede cocinar) en cinco minutos.must be cleaned (debe ser limpiada) antes de que lleguen tus padres, estás en el lugar correcto.I can fix the phone. Pero en voz pasiva, el teléfono es el protagonista: The phone can be fixed.How This Grammar Works
can, should o must) se queda en medio para decirnos el 'humor' de la acción. ¿Es una posibilidad? Usa can.must. ¿Es una buena idea?should. El ingrediente secreto es la palabra be, seguida del participio pasado (la tercera forma del verbo).
Formation Pattern
be.
Object + Modal + be + Past Participle
When To Use It
- Possibility & Ability (
can):Photos can be taken here. - Obligation & Rules (
must):The bill must be paid. - Advice & Suggestions (
should):The vegetables should be washed.
Common Mistakes
- Olvidar el
be: No digasIt can done. Lo correcto esIt can be done. - Usar la forma verbal incorrecta: No digas
should be send. Lo correcto esshould be sent.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
- Voz Activa:
You can use this filter(se enfoca en ti). - Pasiva con Modal:
This filter can be used(se enfoca en el filtro).
Quick FAQ
¿Siempre tengo que decir quién hizo la acción?
¡No! Esa es la gracia de la pasiva.
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.
Possibility/Ability
Expressing that an action is possible for the object.
“The problem can be solved easily.”
“A solution might be found soon.”
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.”
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
| Modal | Función | Estructura Pasiva | Ejemplo de Frase |
|---|---|---|---|
|
can
|
Habilidad/Posibilidad
|
can be + Past Participle
|
The project `can be finished` today.
|
|
should
|
Consejo/Recomendación
|
should be + Past Participle
|
The guidelines `should be followed`.
|
|
must
|
Obligación/Necesidad
|
must be + Past Participle
|
All forms `must be submitted` by noon.
|
|
might
|
Posibilidad débil
|
might be + Past Participle
|
The meeting `might be postponed`.
|
|
could
|
Posibilidad/Sugerencia
|
could be + Past Participle
|
New ideas `could be explored`.
|
|
will
|
Acción futura/Certeza
|
will be + Past Participle
|
The results `will be announced` soon.
|
|
may
|
Posibilidad/Permiso
|
may be + Past Participle
|
Your request `may be approved`.
|
|
would
|
Acción hipotética
|
would be + Past Participle
|
This problem `would be solved` with more data.
|
Espectro de formalidad
The report must be submitted by 5 PM. (Workplace deadline)
The report needs to be handed in by 5. (Workplace deadline)
The report's gotta be done by 5. (Workplace deadline)
Get that report in by 5, no cap. (Workplace deadline)
Voz Pasiva con Modales: La Idea Central
Estructura
- Verbo Modal `can`, `should`, `must`
- Base 'be' Always `be`
- Participio Pasado `done`, `seen`, `written`
Propósito
- Enfoque en la Acción What happened, not who
- Agente Desconocido Don't know who did it
- Reglas/Consejos Instructions, recommendations
Ejemplos
- Se puede hacer It's possible to do it
- Debería limpiarse It needs cleaning
- Debe protegerse Obligatory protection
Activa vs. Pasiva con Modales
Decidiendo Usar la Pasiva con Modales
¿El 'agente' de la acción es importante o conocido?
¿Quieres enfocarte en la acción o en el objeto que la recibe?
¿La acción es posible, necesaria, aconsejada u obligatoria?
Situaciones para la Pasiva con Modales
Entornos Formales
- • Documentos oficiales
- • Escritura académica
- • Informes de noticias
- • Correos electrónicos de negocios
Reglas Generales
- • Instrucciones de seguridad
- • Avisos públicos
- • Políticas
- • Textos legales
Haciendo Sugerencias
- • Recomendaciones educadas
- • Consejos indirectos
- • Sesión de ideas
- • Comentarios constructivos
Posibilidades Cotidianas
- • Cosas que pueden suceder
- • Cosas que podrían ser verdad
- • Escenarios de resolución de problemas
- • Especular sobre eventos
Ejemplos por nivel
The window can be opened.
It is possible to open the window.
The food must be hot.
The food needs to be hot.
The book can be read.
It is possible to read the book.
The car must be clean.
The car needs to be clean.
The room should be cleaned every day.
It is a good idea to clean the room daily.
The email can be sent now.
You are able to send the email now.
The door must not be locked.
Do not lock the door.
Can the bill be paid by credit card?
Is it possible to pay with a card?
The application must be submitted by Friday.
You are required to hand in the application by Friday.
The results might be announced tomorrow.
There is a chance they will tell us the results tomorrow.
This software can be downloaded for free.
You are able to get this software without paying.
The meeting should be rescheduled.
I suggest we change the time of the meeting.
The project ought to be completed ahead of schedule.
It is expected that the project will finish early.
Such behavior will not be tolerated in this office.
We will not allow this kind of behavior.
The data could be interpreted in several ways.
There are different ways to understand the data.
The contract may be terminated with 30 days' notice.
Either party can end the contract if they give notice.
It could be argued that the policy was a failure.
One might make the argument that the policy failed.
The implications must be carefully considered.
We need to think very deeply about the consequences.
No part of this book may be reproduced without permission.
You are not allowed to copy this book.
The witness should be questioned further.
It is necessary to ask the witness more questions.
The nuances of the text might be overlooked by a casual reader.
A normal reader might not notice the small details.
It is imperative that the status quo be maintained.
It is absolutely necessary that things stay as they are.
The debt shall be repaid in full by the end of the fiscal year.
The debt must be paid back completely.
The truth of the matter can only be surmised.
We can only guess what the truth is.
Fácil de confundir
Learners often use the active form when they mean the passive because it's simpler.
They mean the same thing, but 'have to' conjugates like a normal verb.
Learners confuse 'be doing' with 'be done'.
Errores comunes
It can done.
It can be done.
It must be do.
It must be done.
The car can be fix.
The car can be fixed.
Must be the door closed?
Must the door be closed?
It should be not opened.
It should not be opened.
The letters can been sent.
The letters can be sent.
He can be tell.
He can be told.
The work must is done.
The work must be done.
It might be can fixed.
It might be fixed.
The house should be sell.
The house should be sold.
The task needs be done.
The task needs to be done.
It may be being processed.
It may be processed.
Patrones de oraciones
The ___ must be ___ by ___.
It can be ___ easily.
___ should not be ___ without ___.
How can the ___ be ___?
Real World Usage
The successful candidate will be notified by email.
Hard hats must be worn on this site.
This issue can be resolved by restarting your device.
The mixture should be stirred until smooth.
This agreement may be modified only in writing.
Your account might be suspended if you break the rules.
Piensa en 'Quién Hace' vs 'Quién Recibe'
¡No Olvides el 'be'!
modal + be + past participle. ¡Sin 'be', no hay magia pasiva! "It's the most common error. Always remember: modal + be + past participle. No be, no passive magic!"Suavizando Órdenes
Formal vs. Informal
will be y must be) es más común en inglés formal, como noticias, artículos académicos o anuncios oficiales. La voz activa se prefiere en charlas casuales. While used everywhere, the passive with modals (especiallywill beandmust be) is more prevalent in formal English like news reports, academic papers, or official announcements. Active voice is often preferred in casual chat.
Úsalo para Verdades Generales
can be learned from.' "This structure is great for statements that apply generally, without needing to specify a person. For example: 'Mistakes can be learned from.'"Smart Tips
Use 'should be' or 'could be' to make requests. It sounds less like a command.
Check if there is a modal before it. If so, you are looking at a modal passive!
Always use the 'third form' from your verb list (e.g., go-went-GONE).
Use 'must be' + V3. It is the standard way to express non-negotiable requirements.
Pronunciación
The 'be' reduction
In natural speech, the word 'be' is often unstressed and sounds like a quick /bi/ or even /bə/.
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.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Remember 'MBP': Modal + Be + Participle. It's the 'Most Basic Passive' formula.
Asociación visual
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
Desafío
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').
Notas culturales
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.
Inicios de conversación
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?
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
The broken window ___ repaired soon.
modal + be + past participle. 'Repaired' es el participio pasado, así que 'must be' es correcto.Find and fix the mistake:
The report should be write by Friday.
Elige la frase correcta:
modal + be + past participle. 'Followed' es el participio pasado de 'follow'.Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercisesThe application form must ___ (sign) by the applicant.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
The secret should not be tell to anyone.
Active: You must wash this shirt by hand.
In the modal passive, the word 'be' changes to 'is' if the subject is singular (e.g., 'He').
A: Can I take this book home? B: No, it ___.
Select the valid structure:
Match 'We can solve it' with its passive form.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThis email ___ sent to the wrong person. Please retrieve it.
The new rules must explained clearly.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'El trabajo puede ser completado mañana.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the modals with their passive constructions:
These delicate items ___ handled with care.
Our flight could be delay due to the storm.
Translate into English: 'Las noticias serán anunciadas pronto.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
Connect the modals to their suitable passive completions:
Score: /12
Preguntas frecuentes (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
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
puede ser + participio / se puede + infinitivo
English always requires the auxiliary 'be', whereas Spanish often uses the reflexive 'se'.
peut être + participe passé
French participles must agree in gender and number with the subject, unlike English.
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.
〜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.
Passive verb form + modal (yumkin/yajib)
There is no equivalent to the English 'be' auxiliary in Arabic passive constructions.
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
Learn These First
Verbos Modales en Inglés: can, should, must
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