The earth is baked by the sun into a hard, brittle layer.
If you are on a full-time course you are treated as your parents’ dependent.
Specific subjects are discussed.
R111 The present progressive passive is formed by using the present progressive of be and the -ed participle of the main verb.
The buffet counter is being arranged by the attendant.
It is something quite irrelevant to what is being discussed.
Jobs are still being lost.
R112 The past simple passive is formed by using the past simple of be and the -ed participle of the main verb.
No date was announced for the talks.
The walls were covered with pictures of actors.
Several new cottages were built on the land.
R113 The past progressive passive is formed by using the past progressive of be and the -ed participle of the main verb.
The stage was being set for future profits.
Before long, machines were being used to create codes.
Strenuous efforts were being made last night to end the dispute.
R114 The present perfect passive is formed by using the present perfect of be and the -ed participle of the main verb.
The guest-room window has been mended.
I think real progress has been made.
The dirty plates have been stacked in a pile on the table.
R115 The past perfect passive is formed by using had been and the -ed participle of the main verb.
They had been taught to be critical.
They had been driven home in the station wagon.
R116 The future passive is formed by using will or shall, followed by be and the -ed participle of the main verb.
His own authority will be undermined.
Congress will be asked to approve an increase of 47.5 per cent.
R117 The future perfect passive is formed by using will or shall, followed by have been and the -ed participle of the main verb.
Another goal will have been achieved.
The figures will have been distorted by the effects of the strike.
R118 The future progressive passive and the perfect progressive passive are rarely used.
R119 The table below gives a summary of the active and passive forms. The passive forms marked with a star are very rarely used.
active passive present simple
present progressive
present perfect He eats it.
He is eating it.
He has eaten it. It is eaten.
It is being eaten.
It has been eaten. present perfect progressive He has been eating it. It has been being eaten.* past simple
past progressive
past perfect He ate it.
He was eating it.
He had eaten it. It was eaten.
It was being eaten.
It had been eaten. past perfect progressive He had been eating it. It had been being eaten.* future
future progressive
future perfect He will eat it.
He will be eating it.
He will have eaten it. It will be eaten.
It will be being eaten.*
It will have been eaten. future perfect progressive He will have been eating it. It will have been being eaten.*
R120 There are some verbs that are not usually used in the progressive, and some that are not used in the progressive in one or more of their main meanings.
Here is a list of verbs that are not usually used in the progressive:
astonish
be
believe
belong
concern
consist
contain
deserve
envy
exist
have
know
last
matter
owe
own
possess
resemble
satisfy
seem
suppose
suspect
understand
Verbs of this type are sometimes called stative verbs. Verbs that can be used in the progressive are sometimes called dynamic verbs. For more information about stative verbs, see paragraph 4.69.
There are other verbs that are traditionally described as stative, but that are sometimes used in the progressive, particularly in less formal texts. For more information about these verbs, see 4.69.
R121 Be is not generally used as a main verb in the progressive with adjectives that indicate permanent characteristics, or with attributes that do not relate to behaviour. However, be is used in the progressive to indicate someone’s behaviour at a particular time.
He is extremely nice.
He was an American.
You ‘re being very silly.
Have is not used as a main verb in the progressive when it indicates possession, but it is sometimes used in the progressive when it indicates that someone is doing something.
I have two dinghies.
We were just having a philosophical discussion.
R122 Some verbs have very specific senses in which they are not used in the progressive. For example, smell is often used in the progressive when it means to smell something, but rarely when it means to smell of something. Compare the sentences I was just smelling your flowers, and Your flowers smell lovely.
Here is a list of verbs that are not usually used in the progressive when they have the meanings indicated:
appear (seem)
depend (be related to)
feel (have an opinion)
fit (be suitable/be the right size)
hear (be aware of a sound)
mean (have a particular meaning)
measure (have length)
recognize (identify a person)
smell (of something)
taste (of something)
weigh (have weight)
R123 The imperative form of a verb is regarded as finite, because it can stand as the verb of a main clause. However, it does not show tense in the same way as other finite verb phrases. It is always in the base form. See paragraphs 5.35 to 5.39 for the uses of the imperative.