Chapter 12: The Passive Voice
6. The subjunctive mood of the passive voice
a. Use of the simple present subjunctive
b. Use of the past forms of the subjunctive
The Passive Voice tenses discussed so far have all been in the Indicative Mood. However, verbs in the Passive Voice can also be put into the Subjunctive Mood.
It has been seen that all of the tenses in the Passive Voice are formed using auxiliaries. As has already been explained, the Subjunctive Mood of tenses using auxiliaries is formed by putting the first auxiliary into the Subjunctive Mood.
Using the verb to show as an example, the following table illustrates the formation of the tenses of the Subjunctive Mood of the Passive Voice.
| Simple Present | Simple Past |
| I be shown | I were shown |
| you be shown | you were shown |
| he be shown | he were shown |
| she be shown | she were shown |
| it be shown | it were shown |
| we be shown | we were shown |
| they be shown | they were shown |
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous |
| I be being shown | I were being shown |
| you be being shown | you were being shown |
| he be being shown | he were being shown |
| she be being shown | she were being shown |
| it be being shown | it were being shown |
| we be being shown | we were being shown |
| they be being shown | they were being shown |
| Present Perfect | Past Perfect |
| I have been shown | I had been shown |
| you have been shown | you had been shown |
| he have been shown | he had been shown |
| she have been shown | she had been shown |
| it have been shown | it had been shown |
| we have been shown | we had been shown |
| they have been shown | they had been shown |
| Present Perfect Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous |
| I have been being shown | I had been being shown |
| you have been being shown | you had been being shown |
| he have been being shown | he had been being shown |
| she have been being shown | she had been being shown |
| it have been being shown | it had been being shown |
| we have been being shown | we had been being shown |
| they have been being shown | they had been being shown |
The following table summarizes the formation of the Subjunctive tenses of the Passive Voice.
| Tense | Auxiliary | Verb Form |
| Simple Present | be | past participle |
| Present Continuous | be being | past participle |
| Present Perfect | have been | past participle |
| Present Perfect Continuous | have been being | past participle |
| Simple Past | were | past participle |
| Past Continuous | were being | past participle |
| Past Perfect | had been | past participle |
| Past Perfect Continuous | had been being | past participle |
a. Use of the simple present subjunctive
Like the Simple Present Subjunctive of the Active Voice, the Simple Present Subjunctive of the Passive Voice is often used in subordinate clauses beginning with that in sentences which contain formal commands, or requests.
As can be seen from the preceding table, the Simple Present Subjunctive of The Passive Voice is formed from the invariable auxiliary be, followed by the past participle of the verb. The following sentences are examples of the use of the Simple Present Subjunctive of the Passive Voice.
e.g. I request that he be invited to speak.
We asked that our suggestions be considered.
They will insist that their colleague be admitted to the association.
Exercise 8.
8. Complete the following sentences using the Simple Present Subjunctive of the Passive Voice of the verbs shown in brackets. For example:
She ordered that the most important details _______ known. (to make)
She ordered that the most important details be made known.
He advises that the plane ________ at a high altitude. (to fly)
He advises that the plane be flown at a high altitude.
1. They demand that the change of plans _____________ at nine o'clock. (to announce)
2. We ask that permission to compete ____________ to everyone. (to grant)
3. It is important that their accomplishments ____________. (to recognize)
4. It is crucial that we _____________ of any change. (to advise)
5. He asks that his affairs ____________ in order. (to put)
6. They requested that their qualifications ______________. (to accept)
7. We insist that he not _____________ his rights. (to deny)
8. It is necessary that the requirements _____________. (to meet)
9. She requests that the most experienced candidate ___________. (to choose)
10. It is recommended that care __________ in making the repairs. (to take)
11. He insists that smoking ______________. (to forbid)
12. It is essential that supplies _____________ well in advance. (to order)
b. Use of the past forms of the subjunctive
Like the past forms of the Subjunctive of the Active Voice, the past forms of the Subjunctive of the Passive Voice are used in wishes, and in statements containing false or improbable conditions.
e.g. I wish he were allowed to come.
It would have been better if they had been invited.
In the first example, the Simple Past Subjunctive of the Passive Voice, were allowed, is used in expressing a wish. In the second example, the Past Perfect Subjunctive of the Passive Voice, had been invited, is used in expressing the false condition they had been invited.
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