Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'being' + a past participle to describe an action happening to you without mentioning who is doing it.
- Use 'being' + V3 after verbs like 'enjoy', 'hate', or 'avoid'. Example: 'I enjoy being pampered.'
- Place 'not' before 'being' for the negative form. Example: 'He complained about not being invited.'
- Use it after prepositions like 'of', 'about', or 'for'. Example: 'She is afraid of being watched.'
Overview
Passive Gerunds (수동 동명사)는 바로 그러한 정교한 표현력을 완성하는 핵심 요소 중 하나입니다.Gerund)는 동작을 명사처럼 취급하여 문장의 주어, 목적어, 전치사의 목적어 자리에 놓는 역할을 합니다. 그런데 우리가 살다 보면 '내가 하는 행동'이 아니라 '나에게 가해지는 행동'이나 '내가 받는 대우'에 대해 명사적으로 표현해야 할 때가 많죠. 예를 들어, '남에게 지시를 내리는 것'이 아니라 '지시를 받는 것'을 싫어한다고 말하고 싶을 때, 바로 being + 과거분사(p.p.) 형태의 수동 동명사가 필요합니다.He dislikes being told what to do (그는 무엇을 하라고 지시받는 것을 싫어한다)라는 문장에서 보듯, 이 문법을 마스터하면 문장을 훨씬 간결하고 논리적으로 구성할 수 있게 됩니다.-ing 형태로 나타나며 문장에서 명사 역할을 수행합니다. 여기에 수동의 의미(be + p.p.)를 더하기 위해 be 동사를 동명사 형태인 being으로 바꾸고, 그 뒤에 의미를 담당하는 본동사를 과거분사 형태로 배치하는 것이죠.- 능동 동명사적 표현: «비판하는 것»
- 수동 동명사적 표현:
비판받는 것
또는비판당하는 것
criticizing이 '비판하는 행위'라면, being criticized는 '비판을 받는 경험' 그 자체를 하나의 명사 덩어리로 만든 것입니다.I was angry about being ignored라고 표현하면 훨씬 전문적으로 들립니다. 여기서 being ignored는 전치사 about의 목적어 역할을 하면서 동시에 '무시당함'이라는 수동적 상태를 완벽하게 기술합니다.being + Past Participle (V3)calling (부르는 것) | being called (불리는 것) |promoting (승진시키는 것) | being promoted (승진되는 것/승진하는 것) |misunderstanding (오해하는 것) | being misunderstood (오해받는 것) |giving (주는 것) | being given (받는 것) |watching (지켜보는 것) | being watched (감시당하는 것/지켜봐지는 것) |photographing (사진 찍는 것) | being photographed (사진 찍히는 것) |- 1주어 역할:
Being elected as class president was a surprise.(학급 회장으로 선출된 것은 놀라운 일이었다.) - 2목적어 역할:
I hate being interrupted while I'm speaking.(나는 말하는 도중에 방해받는 것을 싫어한다.) - 3보어 역할:
The worst part of the job is being constantly monitored.(그 직업의 최악인 점은 끊임없이 감시받는 것이다.)
being 뒤에 오는 동사가 반드시 과거분사(V3) 형태여야 한다는 것입니다. being gave (X)가 아니라 being given (O)이 되어야 하죠. 한국인 학습자들이 흔히 하는 실수 중 하나가 불규칙 동사의 과거형과 과거분사형을 혼동하는 것인데, 이 구조에서는 반드시 세 번째 형태인 과거분사를 사용해야 합니다.She is afraid of being forgotten.(그녀는 잊혀지는 것을 두려워한다.)He left without being noticed.(그는 눈에 띄지 않고/발견되지 않고 떠났다.)Thank you for being invited to the party.(파티에 초대해 주셔서 감사합니다. - *내가 초대받은 것이므로 수동*)
avoid, enjoy, mind, resent, risk, dread와 같은 동사들은 뒤에 동명사를 목적어로 취합니다. 이때 의미상 수동이 필요하면 being p.p.를 씁니다.I don't mind being kept waiting for a few minutes.(몇 분 정도 기다리게 되는 것은 괜찮습니다.)He resents being treated like a child.(그는 아이 취급받는 것에 분개한다.)Most people enjoy being praised.(대부분의 사람들은 칭찬받는 것을 즐긴다.)
- 카페에서 친구와 대화 중:
I love being served coffee in a real porcelain cup.(나는 진짜 자기 컵에 담긴 커피를 대접받는 게 너무 좋아.) -> 누가 서빙하는지는 중요하지 않고, 그 대접을 받는 '경험'이 포인트입니다.
that 절을 사용하는 것보다 수동 동명사를 사용하는 것이 문장을 훨씬 경제적으로 만듭니다.- (복잡한 문장)
He was upset because he was passed over for the promotion. - (세련된 문장)
He was upset about being passed over for the promotion.
I hate ignoring이라고 말해버리는 경우가 많습니다. 하지만 I hate ignoring은 «나는 (남을) 무시하는 것을 싫어한다»는 뜻이 됩니다.- 잘못된 표현:
He enjoys calling by his nickname. - 올바른 표현:
He enjoys being called by his nickname.(그는 별명으로 불리는 것을 즐긴다.)
being의 생략 (Omitting 'being')be 동사를 빼먹고 과거분사만 쓰는 실수입니다. 전치사 뒤에는 반드시 -ing 형태가 살아있어야 문법적으로 성립합니다.- 잘못된 표현:
She complained about ignored. - 올바른 표현:
She complained about being ignored.
ignored는 과거분사일 뿐 명사 역할을 할 수 없습니다. being이 있어야 동명사구가 되어 전치사의 목적어 역할을 할 수 있습니다.*want나 hope는 부정사를 취하므로 to be p.p.를 써야 하고, avoid나 enjoy는 동명사를 취하므로 being p.p.를 써야 합니다.- 잘못된 표현:
I avoid to be seen in public. - 올바른 표현:
I avoid being seen in public.(나는 대중에게 목격되는 것을 피한다.)
being p.p. 대신 완료 수동 동명사인 having been p.p.를 써야 할 때가 있습니다. 하지만 단순한 현재의 상태나 일반적인 사실을 말할 때는 being p.p.로 충분합니다. 이 둘을 혼용하면 시점이 꼬일 수 있습니다.being done | 현재/일반적인 수동적 행위 (동명사 전용 동사/전치사 뒤) | I hate being lied to. |to be done | 미래/의도된 수동적 행위 (부정사 전용 동사 뒤) | I want to be loved. |having been done | 주절의 시점보다 더 과거에 일어난 수동적 행위 | He denied having been fired. |doing | 주어가 직접 행하는 동작 | I enjoy teaching English. |being p.p.vsto be p.p.: 앞에 오는 동사가 무엇이냐에 따라 결정됩니다. (예:enjoy+being/want+to be)being p.p.vshaving been p.p.: 단순히 '받는 것'인지, 아니면 과거에 '받았던 것'인지를 구분합니다. 상급 회화에서는being p.p.가 과거의 의미까지 포괄하는 경우도 많지만, 격식 있는 글쓰기에서는 시제를 엄격히 구분합니다.
being 뒤에 -ing가 또 올 수 있나요? (예: being doing)being 뒤에 반드시 과거분사(p.p.)가 와야 합니다. being doing은 문법적으로 성립하지 않는 구조입니다. 다만, He is being helpful (그는 평소와 달리 친절하게 굴고 있다)처럼 being 뒤에 형용사가 오는 진행형 문장은 가능하지만, 이는 수동 동명사와는 다른 문법입니다.- 예:
I'm annoyed by him being promoted before me.(그가 나보다 먼저 승진하는 것에 짜증이 난다.)
him은 being promoted의 의미상 주어입니다.being을 생략하고 과거분사만 써도 의미가 통하는 경우가 있지 않나요?being이 생략되기도 합니다. (예: (Being) Exhausted, he fell asleep.) 하지만 우리가 오늘 배운 동명사(전치사의 목적어나 동사의 목적어) 자리에서는 being을 절대 생략할 수 없습니다. I'm tired of being treated this way에서 being을 빼면 문장이 파괴됩니다.being p.p.는 100% 일치하나요?being promoted (승진되다), being loved (사랑받다)처럼 긍정적인 상황에서도 매우 활발하게 쓰입니다. 따라서 '당하다'라는 부정적 틀에 갇히지 말고 '받다/되다'라는 넓은 관점으로 접근하세요.Practice makes perfect! 오늘 배운 표현을 활용해 여러분만의 문장을 만들어 보세요.Formation of the Passive Gerund
| Type | Formula | Example Verb | Resulting Phrase |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
being + V3
|
praise
|
being praised
|
|
Negative
|
not + being + V3
|
invite
|
not being invited
|
|
With Preposition
|
prep + being + V3
|
watch
|
of being watched
|
|
As Subject
|
Being + V3 + verb
|
ignore
|
Being ignored hurts.
|
|
With Possessive
|
possessive + being + V3
|
promote
|
his being promoted
|
Meanings
The passive gerund is used to describe an action that is performed upon the subject of the gerund, rather than the subject performing the action themselves. It functions as a noun in the sentence.
Emotional Response
Expressing how one feels about an action they receive.
“She loves being complimented on her work.”
“Most people detest being lied to.”
Prepositional Object
Used after a preposition to show the recipient of an action.
“He is tired of being treated like a child.”
“They apologized for not being prepared.”
Subject of a Sentence
Using the passive experience as the main topic.
“Being ignored is worse than being criticized.”
“Being chosen for the team was his greatest achievement.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + Verb + being + V3
|
I love being pampered.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + Verb + not being + V3
|
I hate not being told the truth.
|
|
Interrogative
|
Do you + Verb + being + V3?
|
Do you mind being recorded?
|
|
Prepositional
|
Preposition + being + V3
|
She is afraid of being fired.
|
|
Subject Gerund
|
Being + V3 + is...
|
Being recognized is nice.
|
|
Perfect Passive
|
having been + V3
|
He recalls having been warned.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
I take exception to being ignored by my colleagues. (Social/Professional interaction)
I don't like being ignored. (Social/Professional interaction)
I hate being ghosted. (Social/Professional interaction)
Being left on read is the worst. (Social/Professional interaction)
The Passive Gerund Ecosystem
Verbs
- Enjoy I enjoy being helped.
- Avoid He avoids being seen.
Prepositions
- Afraid of Afraid of being caught.
- Angry about Angry about being lied to.
Active vs. Passive Gerund
Choosing the Right Form
Is the subject doing the action?
Is it a gerund-taking verb?
수준별 예문
I like being helped.
Me gusta que me ayuden.
He hates being late.
Él odia llegar tarde.
Do you like being here?
¿Te gusta estar aquí?
She likes being a student.
A ella le gusta ser estudiante.
I enjoy being told stories.
Disfruto que me cuenten historias.
She is afraid of being alone.
Ella tiene miedo de estar sola.
He doesn't mind being asked questions.
A él no le importa que le hagan preguntas.
They like being called by their names.
Les gusta que los llamen por sus nombres.
I'm tired of being treated like a child.
Estoy cansado de que me traten como a un niño.
She complained about not being invited to the party.
Ella se quejó de no haber sido invitada a la fiesta.
Being chosen for the role was a surprise.
Ser elegido para el papel fue una sorpresa.
He avoided being seen by his boss.
Evitó ser visto por su jefe.
The celebrity was used to being followed by paparazzi.
La celebridad estaba acostumbrada a ser seguida por paparazzi.
He insisted on being kept informed of any changes.
Insistió en ser mantenido informado de cualquier cambio.
Being misunderstood is a common problem for new writers.
Ser malinterpretado es un problema común para los nuevos escritores.
She was proud of being nominated for the award.
Estaba orgullosa de ser nominada para el premio.
The diplomat resented being questioned about his private life.
El diplomático resintió ser cuestionado sobre su vida privada.
Despite being warned of the risks, they proceeded with the experiment.
A pesar de ser advertidos de los riesgos, procedieron con el experimento.
The candidate's success was attributed to his being perceived as honest.
El éxito del candidato se atribuyó a que era percibido como honesto.
I loathe being made to wait in long queues.
Detesto que me hagan esperar en largas colas.
The protagonist's existential dread stems from the fear of being forgotten by history.
El pavor existencial del protagonista surge del miedo a ser olvidado por la historia.
There is a subtle distinction between being ignored and being actively shunned.
Hay una sutil distinción entre ser ignorado y ser activamente rechazado.
The legislation aims to protect citizens from being exploited by predatory lenders.
La legislación tiene como objetivo proteger a los ciudadanos de ser explotados por prestamistas depredadores.
His entire worldview was shaken upon being confronted with the evidence.
Toda su visión del mundo se vio sacudida al ser confrontado con la evidencia.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners don't know whether to use 'being done' or 'to be done'.
In British English, 'The car needs washing' means 'The car needs to be washed'.
Confusing 'I am being watched' (tense) with 'I hate being watched' (gerund).
자주 하는 실수
I like being help.
I like being helped.
He is afraid of be watched.
He is afraid of being watched.
I enjoy to be invited.
I enjoy being invited.
He resented being not told.
He resented not being told.
문장 패턴
I can't stand being ___.
She is terrified of being ___.
Being ___ is a part of the job.
He insisted on being ___ immediately.
Real World Usage
I don't mind being given constructive criticism.
I love being tagged in your travel photos!
I'm calling about being overcharged on my last bill.
The right to avoid being incriminated.
He's worried about being ghosted again.
She is nervous about being operated on.
The 'By' Test
Watch the Prepositions
Diplomacy
Smart Tips
Use the passive gerund to focus on your experience.
Memorize the 'Gerund Verbs' list (enjoy, avoid, mind, suggest). These ALWAYS take 'being'.
Use passive gerunds to describe your preferences or soft skills.
Remember: Preposition + Gerund is an absolute rule. If it's passive, it must be 'being + V3'.
발음
Linking 'Being'
In natural speech, the 'g' in 'being' often links to the following vowel if the past participle starts with one.
Stress Pattern
The stress usually falls on the past participle, not on 'being'.
Frustration Intonation
I'm TIRED of being LIED to! ↘
Falling intonation at the end emphasizes the negative emotion.
암기하기
기억법
Remember 'B.P.' — Being + Participle. Like a 'Blood Pressure' check for your sentence's health!
시각적 연상
Imagine yourself sitting in a chair while a robot paints your portrait. You aren't painting; you are 'being painted.' The focus is on you, the recipient.
Rhyme
When you're the one who gets the deed, 'Being' and 'V3' are all you need.
Story
A famous actor hates 'being followed' by cameras. He enjoys 'being left' alone. One day, instead of 'being recognized,' he wore a mask to avoid 'being spotted.'
Word Web
챌린지
Write three sentences about things you hate happening to you at work or school using 'I can't stand being...'
문화 노트
British speakers often use the passive gerund to sound polite and indirect, especially when complaining. 'I don't much care for being kept waiting' is a classic polite British complaint.
In US business settings, the passive gerund is used to discuss 'being empowered' or 'being mentored,' focusing on the employee's development as a recipient of company resources.
In global academic writing, the passive gerund is used to maintain 'objectivity' by removing the researcher from the sentence.
The gerund itself comes from Old English, but the passive gerund construction (being + V3) developed much later, around the 18th century.
대화 시작하기
What is something you really enjoy being told by your friends?
Have you ever avoided being seen by someone you knew in public?
In your opinion, is being respected more important than being liked?
How do you feel about being recorded during a presentation?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
He is afraid of ___ (catch) by the police.
I really enjoy ___ to dinner by my friends.
Find and fix the mistake:
She complained about not being tell the truth.
I hate ___.
The passive gerund can be used as the subject of a sentence.
A: Why are you so upset? B: I'm just tired of ___ like I don't know anything.
Select the correct phrase.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
연습 문제
8 exercisesHe is afraid of ___ (catch) by the police.
I really enjoy ___ to dinner by my friends.
Find and fix the mistake:
She complained about not being tell the truth.
I hate ___.
The passive gerund can be used as the subject of a sentence.
A: Why are you so upset? B: I'm just tired of ___ like I don't know anything.
Select the correct phrase.
Active: 'Telling' matches with...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesShe is afraid of ___ alone at night.
Despite ___ by her strict parents, she pursued her dream.
The children were excited about receiving gifts.
I remember tell a secret by my best friend.
Which sentence uses the passive gerund correctly?
Which sentence is grammatically sound?
Translate into English: 'Me molesta que me interrumpan.'
Translate into English: 'Él odia que le mientan.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the active gerund phrases with their passive equivalents:
Score: /11
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Yes, but that's not a passive gerund. 'I like being happy' is just the gerund of the verb 'to be' followed by an adjective. A passive gerund must have a past participle (V3) like `being helped`.
The first is the present passive gerund (general/now), and the second is the perfect passive gerund (completed past). Use `having been done` when the timing of the past action is important.
Both are correct! 'Like' can take either a gerund or an infinitive. However, 'enjoy' only takes the gerund: `I enjoy being helped`.
This is a special rule for the verb 'need'. In British English, `need + -ing` has a passive meaning. You can say `needs to be washed` too, but `needs washing` is very common.
Yes! It's very common. `He avoided being recognized by wearing a hat.`
In this specific passive structure, yes. Without 'being', the sentence will either be active or grammatically incomplete.
Put 'not' before 'being'. Example: `The best part was not being asked to pay.`
Absolutely. It is very common in academic and legal writing to keep the tone objective and focus on the process rather than the person.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ser + participio / que + subjuntivo
English uses a single noun-like phrase; Spanish often uses a full subordinate clause.
être + participe passé
French uses the infinitive; English uses the gerund.
zu werden / das ...-werden
German relies more on 'werden' (to become) constructions.
〜れること (reru koto)
Japanese structure is very consistent but requires specific nominalizers.
المصدر المجهول (Al-Masdar al-Majhul)
Arabic changes the internal vowel structure of the noun to indicate the passive.
被 (bèi) + Verb
Chinese lacks tense and mood markers on the verb itself.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
관련 동영상
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How to use the Passive Voice 😅 English Grammar Lesson
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### 개요 수동태는 영어에서 행위의 주체(agent)가 알려지지 않았거나, 중요하지 않거나, 혹은 의도적으로 생략될 때 사용되는...
수동형 보도 구조 (그는 ~라고 합니다...)
### Overview 영어에서 `He is said to be...`와 같은 수동태 전달 구문(Passive Reporting Structures)은 정보, 의견, 또는 믿...
