Present Continuous Passive

Present Continuous Passive is used to talk about some ongoing actions performed at the moment of speaking or around it.

• Nick’s order is being delivered to the nearest store.
• Our dinner is being cooked as we speak.
• Visitors are being checked in at the hotel.

Present Continuous Passive structure

First, let’s refresh the Present Continuous structure with the Active Voice:

[subject] + am/is/are + -ing verb

To make statements with the Present Continuous Passive, use:

am/is/are + being + the Past Participle form of the verb

In the picture below, you can see the word order changes in the Passive voice – the subject and the object of the sentence change places.

• My car is at the garage, it is being repaired.
• A letter is being written by her.

When to use Present Continuous Passive

We use Present Continuous Passive for actions happening right now or in progress at the moment of speaking when we want to focus attention on the person or thing affected by the action, when the subject is unknown, unclear or irrelevant.

• A new supermarket is being built in the city center.
• My articles are being typed at the moment.

Here’s a good video from Ustazy that illustrates the difference between Present Continuous active and passive voice:

Negative forms of Present Continuous Passive

To make a negative form of Present Continuous Passive, insert ‘not‘ between ‘am/is/are’ and ‘being’ (you can also use ‘isn’t’ or ‘aren’t).

• The work is not being performed at the moment because the customer did not pay in time.
• The classrooms aren’t being cleaned now.

Questions in Present Continuous Passive

The structure for asking questions in Present Continuous Passive is:

am/is/are + [subject] + being + Past Participle

• What houses are being built opposite the park?
• Is the party being prepared by her?

See also:

Passive Voice: Overview

Present Continuous Tense: Statements

Past Continuous Passive