Is being done is the passive of the present continuous (happening now); has been done is the passive of the present perfect (a result now).
A is being done, are being done
Someone is decorating the hall. Active.
The hall is being decorated. Passive, present continuous: the work is going on right now.
Set that beside the hall is being swept right now (continuous) and the hall is swept every day (simple). Units 8 and 25 explain the difference.
- My car's at the garage. It's being repaired.
- Some new flats are being built opposite the park.
- The hall is being swept right now.
- The office is cleaned every day.
- The trains usually run on Sundays, but none are running this Sunday because of engineering work.
B has been done, have been done
Someone has decorated the hall. Active.
The hall has been decorated. Passive, present perfect: the job is done, and the result is visible now.
Set it has been swept (present perfect: the floor is clean now) beside it was swept on Monday (past simple). Unit 20 explains the difference.
- My key has been stolen.
- My keys have been stolen.
- I won't be at the wedding. I haven't been asked.
- Has this shirt been washed?
- The car looks great. It has been washed.
- The room was cleaned yesterday.
- My bike isn't where I left it. I think it's been stolen.
- My keys were stolen last week.
Exercises
22.1 What is happening? Complete the sentences.
A mechanic is working under a car.
The car is being repaired.
The car is being repaired.
Workers and cranes are putting up a bridge over a river.
A bridge .
A bridge is being built.
A window cleaner is cleaning the windows of a shop.
The windows .
The windows are being cleaned.
A man is pushing a lawnmower across the grass.
The grass .
The grass is being cut.
22.2 What is happening, or what has happened? Use is/are being ... or has/have been ... .
A cleaner is mopping the office floor.
(the office / clean)
The office is being cleaned.
The office is being cleaned.
A pile of neatly ironed shirts lies on a table.
(the shirts / iron)
The shirts have been ironed.
The shirts have been ironed.
There is a hole in a window and broken glass on the floor.
(the window / break)
The window has been broken.
Two roofers are up a ladder replacing tiles.
(the roof / repair)
The roof is being repaired.
A car with a big dent in the door is parked in the street.
(the car / damage)
The car has been damaged.
A digger is knocking down some old houses.
(the houses / knock / down)
The houses are being knocked down.
Only tree stumps are left where there were trees.
(the trees / cut / down)
The trees have been cut down.
A couple are holding party invitations.
(they / invite / to a party)
They've been invited to a party.
22.3 Complete the sentences with the words in brackets. Use the passive forms in Units 21 and 22.
We can't use the kitchen today. It is being painted (paint).
We can't use the kitchen today. It is being painted.
We didn't go to the leaving do. We weren't invited (not / invite).
We didn't go to the leaving do. We weren't invited.
The heating stopped working last week, but it's warm again now. It (repair).
The heating stopped working last week, but it's warm again now. It has been repaired.
The washing machine (repair) yesterday afternoon.
The washing machine was repaired yesterday afternoon.
A brewery is somewhere beer (produce).
A brewery is somewhere beer is produced.
How old are these cottages? When (they / build)?
How old are these cottages? When were they built?
A: (the printer / use) right now? B: Yes, Leo's printing his essay.
Is the printer being used right now? Yes, Leo's printing his essay.
I've never seen these flowers before. What (they / call)?
I've never seen these flowers before. What are they called?
Two fences (blow) over in last night's gale.
Two fences were blown over in last night's gale.
The bridge is shut at the moment. It (damage) last week and it (not / repair) yet.
The bridge is shut at the moment. It was damaged last week and it hasn't been repaired yet.