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Using modal verbs in passive constructions.
Modal passive constructions combine a modal verb with the passive form of the main verb.
They allow speakers to express meanings such as obligation, possibility, probability, permission, prediction, and advice while focusing on the receiver of the action.
The basic modal passive pattern is modal + be + past participle.
For example, The report must be completed, The door should be locked, and The problem may be solved soon.
Can be + past participle expresses general possibility, capability, or permission in the passive.
For example, The device can be repaired and The form can be downloaded online.
Could be + past participle expresses possible or hypothetical passive situations.
For example, The problem could be solved another way and The building could be demolished.
May be + past participle expresses possible passive situations.
For example, The package may be delivered tomorrow and The information may be stored elsewhere.
Might be + past participle expresses a tentative or uncertain possibility.
For example, The meeting might be postponed and The documents might be lost.
Must be + past participle can express strong obligation or necessity affecting the subject.
For example, The form must be signed before submission.
Should be + past participle expresses advice, recommendation, expectation, or a desirable state.
For example, The documents should be checked carefully and The problem should be addressed immediately.
Will be + past participle expresses a future passive event, prediction, decision, or promise.
For example, The results will be announced tomorrow.
Would be + past participle occurs in hypothetical, conditional, and reported contexts.
For example, The proposal would be rejected if it were too expensive.
The modal perfect passive is formed with modal + have been + past participle.
For example, The report should have been completed earlier and The documents may have been lost.
Could have been + past participle can express a possible past passive event or an unrealized opportunity.
For example, The problem could have been avoided and The award could have been given to another candidate.
May have been + past participle expresses a possible past passive event.
For example, The message may have been deleted.
Might have been + past participle expresses a tentative possibility about a past passive event.
For example, The wrong file might have been uploaded.
Must have been + past participle expresses a strong deduction about a past passive event or state.
For example, The documents must have been sent yesterday.
Should have been + past participle expresses past expectation, advice, criticism, or an action that was expected but did not happen as intended.
For example, The report should have been submitted yesterday.
Must be, have to be, need to be, and should be can express different degrees of obligation or necessity in passive constructions.
For example, All applications must be submitted online, while Supporting documents should be included.
May be, might be, and could be can express different possible passive situations.
For example, The flight may be delayed, The road might be closed, and The problem could be fixed.
Must be and cannot be can express strong conclusions about a present passive state.
For example, The door must be locked and The file cannot be deleted by the current user.
Must have been and cannot have been followed by a past participle can express strong conclusions about past passive events.
For example, The file must have been deleted and The message cannot have been sent by her.
Must not be + past participle expresses a prohibition against a passive action.
For example, The equipment must not be touched.
Does not have to be and need not be can express that a passive action is unnecessary.
For example, The form does not have to be completed today and The documents need not be submitted again.
Modal passive constructions can occur in conditional clauses and results.
For example, The application could be approved if all requirements are met.
Modal passives are common in formal, academic, technical, and professional writing.
They are useful for expressing procedures, requirements, possibilities, recommendations, and cautious conclusions.
Use modal + be + past participle for present or future passive meanings and modal + have been + past participle for past passive meanings.
Common mistakes include omitting be, using the past tense instead of the past participle, using have instead of have been, and confusing must be with must have been.