The Door Is Closed, or Is Being Closed?
By the end: I can distinguish a state from an action in progress.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Describe the current state
A participle after be can describe the state something is in. The focus is on its present condition.
The door is closed. Please use the other entrance.
The window is broken, so the room is cold.
Describe an action happening now
Is/are being plus a past participle shows a passive action in progress at the reference time.
The door is being closed now.
The windows are being repaired this morning.
Use context to decide
A simple be-passive can also describe a routine event. An agent or a regular-time phrase can clarify the reading.
The door is closed by security every evening.
The door is closed at the moment and nobody is touching it.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Compare form and meaning with the model.
1. Choose a state: The door is closed / is being closed. It is already shut and untouched.
Compare a model and explanation
The door is closed.
The context describes its condition.
2. Choose an ongoing action: The room is cleaned / is being cleaned. The cleaner is working now.
Compare a model and explanation
The room is being cleaned.
Being marks the action in progress.
3. Complete: The chairs are being ___. Use repair.
Compare a model and explanation
repaired
Use a passive participle after being.
4. Correct: The window is being break.
Compare a model and explanation
The window is being broken.
The participle is broken.
5. Does The door is closed always describe a state?
Compare a model and explanation
No. Context can give a routine passive-event reading.
Avoid a universal classification.
6. Clarify the routine: Staff lock the gate each night.
Compare a model and explanation
The gate is locked by staff each night.
The agent and time clarify the event.
7. Clarify the current state: The gate is locked; no one is operating it.
Compare a model and explanation
The gate is locked and remains shut.
The focus stays on its condition.
8. Give two versions about a report: ready now; someone preparing it now.
Compare a model and explanation
The report is ready. The report is being prepared.
State and ongoing preparation are different.
A short conversation
Listen first, then open the transcript when useful.
Open the conversation transcript
A: Can we use this entrance?
B: No. The door is closed, and the other door is being repaired.
A: So neither entrance is available?
B: Right. Security opens the side gate for visitors.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have a separate score.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.
Use it in your own words
Speaking 1
Describe two states of objects near you or in a fictional room.
Reveal a possible response
The door is locked. The screen is damaged.
Success check: Do not invent an action happening now.
Speaking 2
Describe two ongoing repairs or preparations passively.
Reveal a possible response
The roof is being repaired. The room is being cleaned.
Success check: Use being and the passive participle.
Put it all together
Give an access update distinguishing current condition, ongoing work and routine closure.
Reveal a possible response
The main door is locked. The side entrance is being repaired. The gate is normally closed by security at six.
Success check: Use context to make the three readings clear.
Take it with you
I can distinguish a state from an action in progress.