Business English B2 · Lesson 8A

Grammar Bank

The rules behind this lesson — form, use, model sentences and the mistakes to avoid.

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Grammar focus of this lesson

The passive (all forms) & have something done

1 structure

The passive (all forms) · have something done
Full passive range plus causatives for outsourced actions.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›be + participle across all tenses: is being reviewed, has been approved, will be sent.
- ›Modal passive: must be signed, should have been checked.
- ›Passive infinitive / gerund: to be told, being asked.
- ›Causative: have / get + object + participle → We had the site redesigned.
Examples
- “The contract is being reviewed by legal.”
- “It should have been escalated sooner.”
- “We're getting the office repainted next month.”
Watch out · In the causative, the participle comes after the object, not before.
Your own example