Question 1

How do you form the present continuous passive?

Accepted Answer

Use am/is/are + being + past participle. Choose "is being" for singular subjects: "The room is being cleaned." Choose "are being" for plural subjects: "The rooms are being cleaned." Use "am being" only with "I": "I am being interviewed." For negatives, add "not" after am/is/are: "The project isn't being discussed today." For questions, move am/is/are to the front: "Are the results being checked?" The key difference from present simple passive is the word "being" — it signals that the action is happening right now, not as a general fact or routine.

Question 2

What is the difference between "is cleaned" and "is being cleaned"?

Accepted Answer

"Is cleaned" is present simple passive and describes a routine or general fact: "The office is cleaned every evening" (this happens regularly). "Is being cleaned" is present continuous passive and describes an action in progress right now: "The office is being cleaned at the moment" (the cleaners are working now). Time markers help you choose: "every day," "usually," "always" suggest present simple passive. "Right now," "at the moment," "currently," "this week" suggest present continuous passive. Getting this distinction right is important for Cambridge B1 Preliminary and B2 First exams.

Question 3

Can you use present continuous passive for future plans?

Accepted Answer

Yes, like the active present continuous, the passive form can describe planned future actions: "The new library is being opened next Monday" (the opening is already arranged). "Three new teachers are being hired for September" (the hiring is planned). This usage is common when the arrangements are definite and the details are already decided. However, for predictions or uncertain future events, use the future simple passive instead: "A decision will be made soon" (not yet certain). Compare: "The building is being demolished next week" (confirmed plan) vs "The building will be demolished eventually" (prediction).

Present Continuous Passive Voice Exercises

Quick Rule

All 20 questions

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Present Simple Passive

Past Simple Passive

Passive Voice Error Correction

-ed vs -ing Adjectives

Conditionals

Present Perfect