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
passive voice with modal verbs는 중급 학습자로 나아가기 위해 반드시 정복해야 할 핵심 문법입니다. 한국어 화자에게 이 문법이 중요한 이유는 한국어의 수동태 표현 방식과 영어의 논리 구조가 크게 다르기 때문입니다. 한국어는 능동과 수동의 경계가 영어만큼 엄격하지 않으며, 많은 경우 주어를 생략하거나 '되다/받다/당하다'와 같은 접미사를 통해 수동의 의미를 전달합니다. 그러나 영어는 subject가 동작을 하는지, 아니면 동작을 당하는지(혹은 영향을 받는지)를 매우 명확히 구분합니다.Modal verbs(can, must, should 등)와 passive voice가 결합하면, 어떤 행동이 '가능하다', '필요하다', '해야 한다'는 의미를 전달하면서도 그 행동의 주체가 누구인지 밝히고 싶지 않거나 중요하지 않을 때 매우 유용하게 사용됩니다. 예를 들어, 카페에서 «커피가 곧 준비될 것입니다»라고 말할 때, 누가 커피를 만드는지(바리스타)는 중요하지 않습니다. 이때 The coffee will be prepared soon이라고 말하는 것이 훨씬 자연스럽습니다.passive voice를 사용해야 문법적으로 완벽한 문장이 됩니다. 이 구조를 익히면 여러분의 영어는 훨씬 더 객관적이고 전문적으로 들리게 될 것입니다. 특히 회사 업무 보고나 대학교 과제 제출 등 공식적인 자리에서 passive voice with modal verbs를 적절히 사용하는 것은 여러분의 영어 실력을 한 단계 격상시켜 줄 것입니다.modal verbs이고, 둘째는 passive voice입니다. 한국어 문법 체계와 비교하자면, 영어의 modal verbs는 한국어의 '의존 명사'나 '연결 어미'가 담당하는 '추측, 의무, 능력'의 의미를 담고 있습니다. 예를 들어 '~할 수 있다'는 can, '~해야 한다'는 must/should와 대응됩니다.be 동사 + past participle로 구성됩니다. 그런데 여기에 modal verbs가 더해지면, modal verbs 뒤에는 항상 동사 원형이 와야 한다는 규칙 때문에 be 동사가 변화하지 않고 그대로 be로 남게 됩니다. 이것이 바로 한국어 학습자들이 가장 헷갈려 하는 지점입니다. 한국어는 '준비될 수 있다'처럼 어미가 복잡하게 변하지만, 영어는 can be prepared와 같이 각 요소가 분리되어 나열됩니다.be 동사를 '수동태를 만드는 표지'라고 생각하세요. modal이 '태도(의무, 가능성)'를 결정하고, be + past participle이 '동작의 수동적 성격'을 결정합니다. 한국어의 '피동 표현'은 서술어 끝에 붙지만, 영어는 문장 중간에 이 요소들이 퍼져 있다는 점을 기억해야 합니다. The report must be finished에서 must는 의무를, be finished는 수동의 상태를 나타내어 전체적으로 '보고서가 완료되어야만 한다'는 의미를 완성합니다.modal verb를 가져와도 똑같이 적용할 수 있습니다.The project can be finished by Friday.(그 프로젝트는 금요일까지 끝날 수 있다.)The rules must be followed.(그 규칙들은 반드시 지켜져야 한다.)The documents should be signed.(그 서류들은 서명되어야 한다.)
be 동사가 주어의 인칭이나 수에 따라 절대 변하지 않는다는 것입니다. The documents가 복수여도 must be이지 must are가 아닙니다. 이는 한국어의 서술어 변화와 달리 영어만의 고유한 규칙입니다.- 1행위자를 밝히고 싶지 않을 때: 배달 앱에서 «주문이 처리되었습니다»라고 할 때
The order has been processed라고 합니다. 누가 처리했는지는 중요하지 않기 때문입니다. - 2공식적인 규칙을 전달할 때: 대학교 강의실이나 회사 회의실에서 «휴대폰은 꺼져 있어야 합니다»라고 할 때
Mobile phones must be turned off라고 표현합니다. 이는 특정 개인을 지목하지 않으면서도 강력한 규칙을 전달하는 방법입니다. - 3정중하게 부탁할 때: 직접적으로 «이것 좀 고쳐주세요»라고 하는 대신
This could be corrected라고 하면 훨씬 완곡하고 정중한 표현이 됩니다. 한국어의 '존댓말' 문화를 영어로 옮길 때 수동태를 활용하면 아주 세련된 인상을 줄 수 있습니다. - 4객관적인 사실을 강조할 때: 과학 보고서나 뉴스에서 결과 중심의 문장을 만들 때 주로 사용합니다.
The results will be published는 결과물의 발표 자체를 강조합니다.
- 1
be동사 생략: 한국어는 '준비되다'를 한 단어처럼 생각하기 때문에 영어에서도The report must finished라고 하기 쉽습니다.be는 수동태의 필수 요소임을 명심하세요. - 2
past participle대신 동사 원형 사용:The report must be finish라고 말하는 경우입니다.be뒤에는 반드시 과거분사(finished)가 와야 합니다. 한국어의 피동 접미사(-되다)와 영어의 과거분사 형태를 혼동하지 않도록 주의해야 합니다. - 3능동과 수동의 혼동: 한국어는 '주어가 동작을 한다'는 표현을 수동으로 써도 의미 전달이 되는 경우가 많습니다(예: '나는 밥을 먹혔다'는 어색하지만, '커피가 준비됐다'는 자연스러움). 영어에서는 주어가 사물일 때 무조건 수동태를 써야 한다는 논리를 기억하세요.
The coffee prepares라고 하면 커피가 스스로 요리를 한다는 뜻이 되어 버립니다.
You must finish it. | It must be finished. |- 1Q:
be동사를is나are로 바꾸면 안 되나요?
modal verb 뒤에는 무조건 동사 원형 be가 와야 합니다. must is done은 문법적으로 틀린 표현입니다.- 1Q:
by뒤에 행위자를 꼭 써야 하나요?
by를 사용하세요.- 1Q: 모든 동사를 수동태로 만들 수 있나요?
arrive나 go 같은 자동사는 수동태로 쓸 수 없습니다.- 1Q: 한국어의 '되다'와 영어의 수동태는 1:1로 대응되나요?
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
| 조동사 | 기능 | 수동태 구조 | 예문 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
can
|
능력/가능성
|
can be + 과거분사
|
The project `can be finished` today.
|
|
should
|
조언/권고
|
should be + 과거분사
|
The guidelines `should be followed`.
|
|
must
|
의무/필수
|
must be + 과거분사
|
All forms `must be submitted` by noon.
|
|
might
|
약한 가능성
|
might be + 과거분사
|
The meeting `might be postponed`.
|
|
could
|
가능성/제안
|
could be + 과거분사
|
New ideas `could be explored`.
|
|
will
|
미래 행동/확실성
|
will be + 과거분사
|
The results `will be announced` soon.
|
|
may
|
가능성/허락
|
may be + 과거분사
|
Your request `may be approved`.
|
|
would
|
가상 행동
|
would be + 과거분사
|
This problem `would be solved` with more data.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
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)
조동사 수동태: 핵심 아이디어 (Modal Passive Voice: The Core Idea)
구조
- 조동사 `can`, `should`, `must`
- 원형 'be' Always `be`
- 과거분사 `done`, `seen`, `written`
목적
- 행동에 초점 What happened, not who
- 알려지지 않은 행위자 Don't know who did it
- 규칙/조언 Instructions, recommendations
예시
- 완료될 수 있다 It's possible to do it
- 청소되어야 한다 It needs cleaning
- 보호되어야 한다 Obligatory protection
조동사 능동태 vs 수동태 비교 (Active vs. Passive with Modals)
조동사 수동태 사용 결정 흐름도 (Deciding to Use Modal Passive)
행동의 '행위자'가 중요하거나 알려져 있나요?
행동 자체나 행동을 받는 대상에 초점을 맞추고 싶나요?
행동이 가능하거나, 필요하거나, 권고되거나, 의무인가요?
조동사 수동태 사용 상황 (Situations for Modal Passive)
격식 있는 환경
- • 공식 문서
- • 학술 글쓰기
- • 뉴스 보도
- • 비즈니스 이메일
일반적인 규칙
- • 안전 지침
- • 공공 고지
- • 정책
- • 법률 문서
제안하기
- • 정중한 권고
- • 간접적인 조언
- • 아이디어 브레인스토밍
- • 건설적인 피드백
일상적인 가능성
- • 발생할 수 있는 일
- • 사실일 수 있는 일
- • 문제 해결 시나리오
- • 사건에 대한 추측
수준별 예문
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.
혼동하기 쉬운
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'.
자주 하는 실수
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.
문장 패턴
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.
'하는 주체'와 '받는 대상'을 생각해보세요!
The letter was received by me.'be' 동사를 잊지 마세요!
The report should be submitted.명령을 부드럽게 만들기
The issue could be addressed soon.격식과 비격식의 차이
The announcement will be made tomorrow.일반적인 사실을 말할 때 사용해요
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.
발음
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.
암기하기
기억법
Remember 'MBP': Modal + Be + Participle. It's the 'Most Basic Passive' formula.
시각적 연상
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
챌린지
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').
문화 노트
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.
대화 시작하기
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?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
The broken window ___ repaired soon.
Find and fix the mistake:
The report should be write by Friday.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
연습 문제
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
자주 묻는 질문 (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
관련 동영상
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05:57 Father vs. Son: A journey into the underworld - Joseph Mbele
PASSIVE VOICE - English Grammar step-by-step
Arnel's Everyday English
Related Grammar Rules
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