Passive Gerunds & Infinitives (being done / to be done)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use passive gerunds and infinitives when the 'receiver' of an action is the focus of a secondary verb phrase.
- Passive Gerund: Use 'being + past participle' after verbs like enjoy, hate, or avoid (e.g., 'I enjoy being pampered').
- Passive Infinitive: Use 'to be + past participle' after verbs like want, hope, or need (e.g., 'I want to be heard').
- Perfect Forms: Use 'having been' or 'to have been' for actions that happened before the main verb.
Overview
Sometimes things happen to people. You can use special words. This makes your English very good.
Use this when we do not know who did it.
How This Grammar Works
Formation Pattern
She dislikes being told what to do. (The action of 'telling' is received by 'she'.)
He's tired of being criticised constantly. (The action of 'criticising' is received by 'he'.)
doing | being done |
seeing | being seen |
telling | being told |
informing | being informed |
The report needs to be submitted by Friday. (The action of 'submitting' is received by 'the report'.)
He expects to be promoted next year. (The action of 'promoting' is received by 'he'.)
to do | to be done |
to see | to be seen |
to tell | to be told |
to inform | to be informed |
She denied having been informed of the changes. (The 'informing' happened before 'denied'.)
The monument is believed to have been built in the 12th century. (The 'building' occurred before 'is believed'.)
When To Use It
- After Prepositions: This is arguably the most common and crucial application. English prepositions must be followed by a noun or a gerund (a verb acting as a noun). When the action conveyed by the verb is passive, the passive gerund is mandatory.
He was accused of being bribed.(The accusation concerned him receiving a bribe, not giving one.)She complained about being treated unfairly.(The complaint was about her receiving unfair treatment.)Thank you for being invited to the conference.(The gratitude is for receiving the invitation.)- Crucial Distinction: Distinguish between
toas a preposition andtoas part of an infinitive. Iftomeans 'towards' or 'for the purpose of', it's a preposition and takes a gerund:I look forward to being contacted soon.(incorrect:to be contacted).
- After Verbs Followed by Gerunds: Many verbs in English habitually take a gerund object. When these verbs introduce a passive idea, the passive gerund is the correct choice.
- Common verbs:
avoid,consider,deny,dislike,enjoy,fancy,finish,imagine,mind,miss,postpone,practise,prevent,recall,recommend,resent,resist,risk,suggest,tolerate,understand. She avoids being photographed with politicians.(She takes steps to prevent photographers from taking her picture.)I resent being told to wait.(I dislike someone else instructing me to wait.)They considered being transferred to another department.(They thought about the possibility of them being moved.)
- With
worth: When indicating value or merit, particularly in British English,worthcan be followed by a passive gerund. Whileworth doing(active gerund with passive meaning) is more common,being donecan be used to explicitly highlight the passive nature of the action. This essay is worth being read by everyone.(Focuses on the essay's merit to receive the reading.)
- With
need(British English idiom): In informal British English,needcan be followed by a passive gerund (needs doing), often interchangeable withneeds to be done. This construction implies the subject requires an action to be performed on it. The car needs being serviced.(Equivalent toThe car needs servicingorThe car needs to be serviced.) This idiom is less common in American English, which almost exclusively prefersneeds to be done.
- After Verbs Followed by Infinitives: A large number of English verbs are followed by an infinitive. When the action is passive, the passive infinitive is necessary.
- Common verbs:
agree,aim,appear,arrange,ask,claim,decide,demand,deserve,expect,fail,hope,intend,manage,offer,plan,prepare,pretend,promise,refuse,seem,tend,threaten,want,wish. He expects to be promoted soon.(He anticipates receiving a promotion.)The document is believed to be authentic.(It is thought that the document is authentic; here,to befunctions as a linking verb in the passive construction.)They refused to be interviewed about the incident.(They declined to receive an interview.)
- After Adjectives: Many adjectives express feelings, evaluations, or conditions and are followed by an infinitive. If the action is passive, use the passive infinitive.
It's impossible to be seen in this fog.(It is not possible for one to receive the action of being seen.)She was happy to be chosen for the team.(Her happiness stemmed from receiving the selection.)These documents are ready to be reviewed.(The documents are in a state where they are prepared to receive the review.)
- After Nouns: Some nouns, particularly those derived from verbs, can be followed by an infinitive to specify an action or purpose. If this action is passive, the passive infinitive is used.
He has a lot of work to be finished by tomorrow.(The work awaits receiving the finishing action.)There’s nothing to be done about it now.(No action can be received by 'nothing'.)
- With
too... toandenough... to: These constructions express sufficiency or insufficiency, and when the action is passive, they require a passive infinitive. The problem is too complex to be solved easily.(The problem cannot receive easy solving.)She's old enough to be trusted with responsibilities.(She has received sufficient age to be entrusted.)
- With
need,want,require(impersonal use): For statements of necessity, especially in a formal or general context,to be doneis standard. The proposal needs to be approved by the committee.(The proposal requires receiving approval.)These rules require to be followed strictly.(The rules demand receiving strict adherence.)
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing Active and Passive Voice: The most fundamental error involves misidentifying whether the subject performs or receives the action. This often leads to using an active non-finite form when a passive one is required.
- Incorrect:
The building is designed to complete by next year.(The building cannot perform the action of 'completing' itself.) - Correct:
The building is designed to be completed by next year.(The building receives the action of being completed.) - Incorrect:
She disliked interrupting during the presentation.(This implies she was doing the interrupting.) - Correct:
She disliked being interrupted during the presentation.(She received the interruption.)
- 1Incorrect Past Participle (V3) Form: The passive construction relies on the correct past participle. Errors here stem from irregular verb forms or simple oversight.
- Incorrect:
He was accused of being lie to. - Correct:
He was accused of being lied to.(liedis the V3 oflie.) - Incorrect:
The terms need to be write down carefully. - Correct:
The terms need to be written down carefully.(writtenis the V3 ofwrite.)
- 1Omitting
beorbeing: Sometimes, learners mistakenly use just the past participle after a verb or preposition, especially when it sounds acceptable in certain regional dialects or informal speech. However, in standard English, the auxiliarybeverb is indispensable for the passive.
- Incorrect (colloquial):
The car needs washed. - Correct:
The car needs to be washed.(orneeds washingin British English, which is an active gerund with a passive meaning, not a passive gerund). - Incorrect:
She hated criticise. - Correct:
She hated being criticised.
- 1Misunderstanding
toas a Preposition vs. Infinitive Marker: This is a subtle yet critical distinction at C2. The wordtocan either be part of an infinitive (to see) or a preposition (look forward to,object to). If it's a preposition, it must be followed by a gerund (and thus, a passive gerund for passive meanings).
- Incorrect:
I am accustomed to be ignored. - Correct:
I am accustomed to being ignored.(tohere is a preposition: 'accustomed to X'.) - Correct (infinitive):
I decided to be ignored.(Hereto be ignoredfunctions as the object ofdecided.)
- 1Overuse or Awkward Phrasing: While powerful, these structures should not be forced. Sometimes a simpler passive sentence or a rephrased clause is clearer and more natural.
- Awkward:
He prefers not being spoken to in that condescending tone. - Better:
He prefers not to be spoken to in that condescending tone.(Often,prefertakes an infinitive.) - Awkward:
The problem was capable of being solved. - Better:
The problem could be solved.(Simpler passive sentence.)
Real Conversations
Observing passive gerunds and infinitives in authentic communication reveals their role in conveying information concisely and precisely across diverse contexts.
- Professional Email:
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Formation of Passive Gerunds and Infinitives
| Type | Structure | Example Verb: 'Watch' | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Passive Gerund
|
being + V3
|
being watched
|
I hate being watched.
|
|
Passive Infinitive
|
to be + V3
|
to be watched
|
I want to be watched.
|
|
Perfect Passive Gerund
|
having been + V3
|
having been watched
|
He mentioned having been watched.
|
|
Perfect Passive Infinitive
|
to have been + V3
|
to have been watched
|
He claimed to have been watched.
|
|
Negative Gerund
|
not being + V3
|
not being watched
|
I enjoy not being watched.
|
|
Negative Infinitive
|
not to be + V3
|
not to be watched
|
I prefer not to be watched.
|
Meanings
These structures allow us to use the passive voice within gerund (-ing) and infinitive (to-) phrases, shifting the focus from the doer to the receiver of the action.
Standard Passive Gerund
Used after verbs, prepositions, or as subjects where the action is done to the subject.
“Being chosen for the team was a huge honor.”
“She is tired of being treated like a child.”
Standard Passive Infinitive
Used after verbs that require an infinitive to show an action happening to the subject.
“The documents need to be signed immediately.”
“I hope to be promoted by the end of the year.”
Perfect Passive Forms
Used to indicate that the passive action occurred before the time of the main verb.
“He was proud of having been selected for the award.”
“The suspect claimed to have been framed by the police.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative Gerund
|
being + past participle
|
I enjoy being pampered.
|
|
Negative Gerund
|
not being + past participle
|
She dislikes not being consulted.
|
|
Affirmative Infinitive
|
to be + past participle
|
It needs to be done.
|
|
Negative Infinitive
|
not to be + past participle
|
I asked not to be disturbed.
|
|
Perfect Gerund
|
having been + past participle
|
He was angry at having been lied to.
|
|
Perfect Infinitive
|
to have been + past participle
|
The car seems to have been stolen.
|
|
Bare Passive Infinitive
|
be + past participle
|
This must be finished.
|
Formality Spectrum
The petitioner requested to be heard by the council. (Communication)
I really want to be heard. (Communication)
I just wanna be heard, you know? (Communication)
I need my voice to be heard, fr. (Communication)
Passive Non-Finite Forms
Gerunds
- being seen the act of others seeing you
- having been told the past act of someone telling you
Infinitives
- to be heard the goal of others hearing you
- to have been found the past state of someone finding it
Active vs. Passive Gerunds
Choosing the Right Form
Does the verb require -ing or to-?
Did the action happen in the past?
Common Verbs for Passive Forms
Gerund Verbs
- • avoid
- • resent
- • enjoy
- • risk
Infinitive Verbs
- • want
- • hope
- • expect
- • need
Examples by Level
I like being helped.
I want to be a doctor.
He likes being with friends.
She wants to be loved.
I hate being late.
The car needs to be washed.
She enjoys being told stories.
They hope to be invited to the party.
He is afraid of being bitten by a dog.
The letter needs to be sent today.
I don't mind being asked to help.
She expects to be promoted soon.
He narrowly avoided being arrested.
The results are yet to be confirmed.
I remember being taken to the circus as a child.
The project is considered to be finished.
Having been warned about the risks, he proceeded anyway.
The candidate resented being questioned about her private life.
To be seen as a leader, one must act with integrity.
The building is said to have been built in the 12th century.
The sheer indignity of being overlooked for the role was too much to bear.
The manuscript, having been meticulously restored, is now on display.
He was to have been executed at dawn, but a pardon arrived.
There is a certain satisfaction in being proven right after so much doubt.
Easily Confused
Both use 'being', but one is a noun-form and the other is a main verb.
Both have a passive meaning, but 'need + -ing' is more informal.
Learners use the simple form when the action clearly happened earlier.
Common Mistakes
I like be helped.
I like being helped.
The car needs wash.
The car needs to be washed.
I am afraid of being forget.
I am afraid of being forgotten.
He claimed to have invited to the party.
He claimed to have been invited to the party.
Sentence Patterns
I can't stand ___ (being + V3).
The ___ needs to be ___ (V3).
___ (Having been + V3), the subject ___.
It is an honor to be ___ (V3).
Real World Usage
I am comfortable with being held accountable for my team's performance.
I'm tired of being left out of the group chat.
The defendant requested to be represented by a public defender.
I would like to be notified when the item is back in stock.
The samples need to be kept at a constant temperature.
We were lucky to have been upgraded to first class.
Avoid 'Someone'
Watch the 'Not'
The 'Need' Shortcut
Politeness
Smart Tips
Replace 'I' or 'We' with a passive gerund as the subject.
Use the passive gerund to talk about things that happened to you in the past.
Think of it as a 'past' version of 'being'.
Ask yourself: Is the subject doing the action or is the action happening to them?
Pronunciation
Stress on 'being'
In the phrase 'being done', the word 'being' is often slightly reduced, but the past participle carries the main stress.
Rising on the participle
Do you like being ⤴️praised?
Conveys a genuine question about a feeling.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
BEING is for the feeling (gerunds), TO BE is the goal to see (infinitives).
Visual Association
Imagine yourself sitting in a chair while a team of robots works on you. You are 'being served' (gerund) because you 'want to be fixed' (infinitive).
Rhyme
When the action is done to you, 'being' or 'to be' is what you do.
Story
A famous actor hates 'being followed' by cameras. He decided 'to be hidden' in a small village. After 'having been found' by a fan, he realized he could never escape 'being recognized'.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your dream job using 'being' or 'to be' (e.g., 'I look forward to being given more responsibility').
Cultural Notes
British English frequently uses 'needs doing' as a shorthand for 'needs to be done'. This is very common in domestic contexts.
American English almost exclusively prefers 'needs to be done' or 'needs doing' depending on the region, but 'needs to be' is the standard in formal writing.
In academic circles, passive gerunds are used to maintain objectivity and avoid the first person 'I'.
The passive gerund and infinitive evolved as English moved from a highly inflected language (Old English) to an analytic one (Middle/Modern English), requiring auxiliary verbs like 'be' to express voice.
Conversation Starters
How do you feel about being told what to do at work?
Have you ever risked being caught doing something you shouldn't have?
What is something that absolutely needs to be changed in your city?
Can you think of a time when you were proud of having been chosen for a task?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
He narrowly avoided ___ (hit) by the falling branch.
The suspect denied ___ by the police earlier that day.
Find and fix the mistake:
I want to being invited to the gala.
I remember ___ to school by my mother.
The negative 'not' should be placed between 'being' and the past participle.
A: Why are you so upset? B: I'm tired of ___ like I don't know anything!
Select the correct form.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesHe narrowly avoided ___ (hit) by the falling branch.
The suspect denied ___ by the police earlier that day.
Find and fix the mistake:
I want to being invited to the gala.
I remember ___ to school by my mother.
The negative 'not' should be placed between 'being' and the past participle.
A: Why are you so upset? B: I'm tired of ___ like I don't know anything!
Select the correct form.
Active: 'to help'
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesHe dislikes ___ told what to do by his younger brother.
The package expects to deliver by tomorrow.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'El trabajo necesita ser completado pronto.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the verbs/phrases with the correct passive form introduction:
I hate ___ watched when I'm eating.
It's important being recognized for your hard work.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'No le gusta que le pidan favores.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the verbs/phrases with the passive form they typically take:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
It depends on the verb that comes before it. Some verbs (like 'enjoy') need the -ing form (`being done`), while others (like 'want') need the to-form (`to be done`).
You use `having been` when you want to emphasize that the passive action was completed before the main action of the sentence began.
Yes! In British English especially, `needs + -ing` is a common, informal way to express a passive need. It's the same as `needs to be washed`.
Always at the very beginning of the phrase: `not being seen` or `not to be seen`.
Yes, very often! Phrases like `I hate being told what to do` or `It needs to be fixed` are used every day.
We use `to have been + V3` to talk about past events, often with verbs like 'claim', 'seem', or 'believe' (e.g., 'He seems to have been forgotten').
No, it can also be part of a continuous tense (e.g., 'I am being helpful'), but in this rule, we focus on its use as a gerund.
Yes! For example: `Being elected president changed his life.` Here, the passive gerund is the subject.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ser + participio / se-passive
English uses the -ing form (being) where Spanish would use a reflexive verb or a 'que' clause.
être + participe passé
French does not have a direct equivalent to the English gerund (-ing), usually using the infinitive instead.
werden + Partizip II
The word order is different, with 'werden' coming at the end of the phrase.
〜られる (-rareru)
Passive is a conjugation of the main verb, not a separate phrase.
Internal Passive (Maul)
There is no auxiliary verb like 'be' used to form the passive in Classical Arabic.
被 (bèi) + Verb
Chinese does not have infinitives or gerunds that conjugate, so the 'bèi' structure is used for all such meanings.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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