Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The passive infinitive shifts focus from the 'doer' to the 'receiver' of an action using 'to be' plus a past participle.
- Use 'to be' + past participle to show something happens to the subject. Example: 'It needs to be cleaned.'
- Place 'not' before 'to' for negatives. Example: 'He asked not to be disturbed.'
- Commonly follows verbs like want, need, expect, and hope. Example: 'I want to be invited.'
Overview
to be done（被完成）而又不想指名道姓时，这就是你需要的语法。想象一下一张技术支持工单上写着：“您的密码需要to be reset（被重置）。”重要的部分是重置密码，而不是一个叫史蒂夫的技术奇才在做这件事。你可能到处都见过这种用法，只是不知道它的官方名称。这是一个超级常见且有用的结构，能让你听起来更自然、更老练，尤其是在写作中。to be + 过去分词。就是这样。可以想成to be seen（被看见）、to be heard（被听见）或to be updated（被更新）。与主动不定式（to see, to hear, to update）不同，后者侧重于执行动作的人，而被动不定式则将聚光灯打在*接受*动作的人或物上。这就像在电影里切换镜头角度。我们不再看英雄挥出拳头（to throw），而是聚焦于被打中的反派（to be hit）。当“谁”是未知的、显而易见的或者根本不重要时，这种转换至关重要。这是官方通知、正式请求以及你想稍微委婉一点的情况下的语言。掌握它能帮助你从仅仅是交流，提升到有风格、有精度地交流，让你的英语听起来高级得多。How This Grammar Works
施动者 -> 动作 -> 接受者。例如：“团队需要写报告。”（团队是施动者，写是动作，报告是接受者）。被动不定式把这个颠倒过来。动作的接受者成为舞台的明星。句子变成：“报告需要to be written（被书写）。”看到发生了什么吗？报告现在是主语。那个写报告的团队呢？他们可以在句末用by the team提及，但通常他们就直接消失了。他们变得不重要了，这才是重点！这种结构让你能够强调任务或对象本身。这对于指令、规则或者当你谈论一个过程时非常有用。这就像在说：“这个东西需要被执行这个动作。”它干净、高效，而且听起来很专业。
Formation Pattern
to be开始。这部分永远不变。它是你稳定的基础。
have eaten, have seen）。对于规则动词，它就是-ed形式（called, finished, posted）。对于不规则动词，你需要知道它们的特殊形式（written, taken, seen）。
to do -> 被动：to be done
to send -> 被动：to be sent
to build -> 被动：to be built
to choose -> 被动：to be chosen
to be told（被告知）这个消息。”你只是拿了主要的动作动词（tell），找到了它的过去分词（told），然后把它放在to be后面。
When To Use It
- 当施动者未知或不重要时： 这是最重要的一点。“这个包裹需要
to be signed（被签收）。”谁签收？收件人。这是显而易见的，不值得一提。 - 为了礼貌或委婉： 有时候，说“你需要修理这个”听起来有点咄咄逼人。“这个需要
to be fixed（被修理）”就温和得多。它关注的是问题，而不是人，这在专业邮件中可以救你一命。没人喜欢被点名批评。 - 在正式写作和公告中： 去读读任何官方说明或标志。“所有行李必须
be checked（被检查）。”“表格应以黑色墨水be completed（填写）。”这听起来很官方、很有权威。 - 在某些动词之后： 像
want,need,expect,hope和would like这样的动词后面常常跟一个被动不定式。“她期望很快to be promoted（被提升）。”“我希望这封邮件能立即to be sent（被发送）。” - 在某些形容词之后： 你也会在描述感觉或品质的形容词后面看到它。“我很高兴
to be invited（被邀请）参加派对。”“这个任务很难在一天内to be done（被完成）。”
Contrast With Similar Patterns
- 被动不定式 vs. 主动不定式： 这是主要的对比。
- 主动：“我想
to write（写）一本书。”（焦点在我，作者）。 - 被动：“我希望有一本关于我人生的书
to be written（被写出来）。”（焦点在书，被创造的东西）。有点自恋，但语法上是正确的！
- 被动不定式 vs. 被动动名词 (
being + 过去分词)： 它们有时可能看起来很像，但遵循不同的规则。 - 被动不定式：“她希望
to be chosen（被选中）加入队伍。”（用在像hope这样的动词后）。 - 被动动名词：“她享受
being chosen（被选中）加入队伍。”（用在需要动名词的动词后，如enjoy,avoid,mind）。
to be seen”，你会说“我避免being seen”。- 被動不定詞 vs. 完成不定詞 (
to have + 過去分詞)： 不要搞混這些！完成不定詞是關於過去發生的動作。 - 被動不定詞：「訊息需要
to be sent（被發送）」（未來的動作）。 - 完成不定詞：「他聲稱
to have sent（已經發送了）訊息」（過去的動作，他做的）。 - 被動完成不定詞：「訊息據稱
to have been sent（已經被發送了）」（一個過去的被動動作！你現在只是在炫耀）。
Common Mistakes
- 1忘记
be： 这是个经典错误。人们会写“车需要to fixed”，而不是“车需要to be fixed”。记住，be是必不可少的！ - 2使用动词原形而不是过去分词： 你可能会看到“邮件必须
to be send”。不对！必须是过去分词：“邮件必须to be sent”。 - 3与主动形式混淆： 说“我想
to be promote”是错的。要么是“我想to promote（提拔）某人”（主动），要么是“我想to be promoted（被提拔）”（被动）。 - 4在主动形式更好的时候使用它： 有时候，直接一点更清楚。“这首歌很适合
to be listened重复播放”很别扭。直接说“这首歌很适合to listen重复播放”。如果施动者和主句的主语（I）是同一个人，你通常用主动不定式。
Quick FAQ
must或should这样的情态动词后使用被动不定式吗？to。所以它变成must be done或should be sent。例如，“你的作业必须在午夜前提交(must be submitted)。”to be cleaned（被清洁）”（过去），“它需要to be cleaned（被清洁）”（现在），“它将需要to be cleaned（被清洁）”（将来）。to be fixed（被修理）”是完全正常的，一点也不过分正式。一切都取决于语境。Passive Infinitive Formation
| Type | Structure | Example Verb: 'Clean' | Example Verb: 'See' |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Simple Passive
|
to be + V3
|
to be cleaned
|
to be seen
|
|
Negative Passive
|
not to be + V3
|
not to be cleaned
|
not to be seen
|
|
Perfect Passive
|
to have been + V3
|
to have been cleaned
|
to have been seen
|
|
Continuous Passive
|
to be being + V3
|
to be being cleaned
|
to be being seen
|
Meanings
A verb form used to indicate that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action described by the infinitive, rather than the performer.
Volition and Desire
Used after verbs like 'want', 'hope', or 'wish' to express what someone wants to happen to them or something else.
“I want to be told the truth.”
“She hopes to be promoted this year.”
Necessity and Obligation
Used after 'need', 'have', or 'must' to indicate required actions.
“This car needs to be washed.”
“There is a lot of work to be done.”
Reporting and Belief
Used with reporting verbs like 'say', 'think', 'believe', or 'expect' in formal structures.
“He is expected to be released tomorrow.”
“The painting is believed to be lost.”
Adjective Complements
Used after adjectives like 'easy', 'impossible', or 'likely' to describe the potential for an action.
“The instructions are easy to be misunderstood.”
“It is impossible to be finished by noon.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + Verb + to be + V3
|
It needs to be fixed.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + Verb + not + to be + V3
|
I prefer not to be disturbed.
|
|
Interrogative
|
Auxiliary + Subject + Verb + to be + V3?
|
Does it need to be done?
|
|
With Adjectives
|
Adjective + to be + V3
|
It is easy to be fooled.
|
|
With 'There is'
|
There is + Noun + to be + V3
|
There is work to be done.
|
|
Reporting
|
Subject + is said + to be + V3
|
He is said to be involved.
|
正式程度
I request not to be disturbed during the meeting. (Privacy)
I don't want to be disturbed. (Privacy)
Don't bug me, okay? (Privacy)
Leave me be, I'm busy. (Privacy)
Passive Infinitive Usage Hub
Verbs
- Want I want to be told.
- Need It needs to be fixed.
Adjectives
- Easy Easy to be seen.
- Likely Likely to be chosen.
Active vs. Passive Infinitive
Should I use Passive Infinitive?
Is the subject doing the action?
Is the subject receiving the action?
Common Passive Infinitive Verbs
Desire
- • Want
- • Hope
- • Wish
- • Prefer
Expectation
- • Expect
- • Plan
- • Wait
- • Deserve
按水平分级的例句
I want to be helped.
I want someone to help me.
He wants to be loved.
He wants people to love him.
I need to be told.
Tell me the information.
She likes to be called 'Liz'.
She wants people to call her Liz.
The car needs to be washed.
Someone needs to wash the car.
The door is to be closed.
Close the door.
I hope to be invited to the party.
I hope they invite me.
The cake is ready to be eaten.
You can eat the cake now.
He expects to be promoted soon.
He thinks his boss will give him a better job.
There is a lot of work to be done.
We have many tasks to finish.
The children asked not to be woken up.
They didn't want anyone to wake them.
The letter has to be sent today.
It is necessary to send the letter.
The results are to be announced at midnight.
They will announce the results at midnight.
The suspect is believed to be hidden in the woods.
People think the suspect is hiding there.
These laws are intended to be enforced strictly.
The goal is for people to follow these laws.
The software needs to be updated regularly.
You must update the software often.
The proposal is considered to be fundamentally flawed.
Experts think the proposal has many mistakes.
She was the first woman to be elected to the board.
She made history by being elected.
The artifacts are yet to be fully categorized.
We haven't finished labeling the artifacts yet.
He hates being told what to do, let alone to be ordered around.
He really dislikes being given commands.
The nuances of the treaty are to be meticulously scrutinized.
Every small detail will be checked very carefully.
The witness is alleged to have been being threatened.
People claim someone was threatening the witness over a period of time.
Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done.
It's important that people see that justice is happening.
The building, once thought to be indestructible, was leveled.
People used to think the building couldn't be destroyed.
容易混淆
Learners mix up 'to be done' and 'being done'.
Using active when passive is needed.
Mixing up present and past passive infinitives.
常见错误
I want to help.
I want to be helped.
He needs to call.
He needs to be called.
I like to love.
I like to be loved.
It needs wash.
It needs to be washed.
The car needs to wash.
The car needs to be washed.
I want to be invite.
I want to be invited.
It is to done.
It is to be done.
I hope to be see.
I hope to be seen.
He expects to promote.
He expects to be promoted.
I asked to be not disturbed.
I asked not to be disturbed.
There is work to do.
There is work to be done.
The report is said to finish.
The report is said to be finished.
It is likely to be misunderstood.
It is likely to be misunderstood.
句型
The ___ needs to be ___.
I hope to be ___ by ___.
There is still a lot of ___ to be ___.
He is considered to be ___.
Real World Usage
I expect to be challenged in this role.
The room is still to be cleaned.
This needs to be seen by everyone!
The fine is to be paid within 30 days.
The device needs to be restarted.
The mixture is to be stirred slowly.
The 'By' Test
Don't forget the 'be'!
Use for Politeness
Smart Tips
Check if the object can actually do the action. If not, use 'to be done'.
Use the passive infinitive to sound more professional and less like you are pointing fingers.
Always place 'not' before 'to' to stay safe in formal exams.
Use adjectives like 'easy' or 'hard' with the passive infinitive to describe how something is perceived.
发音
Weak 'to be'
In natural speech, 'to be' is often reduced and sounds like /tə bi/.
Stress on Participle
The main stress usually falls on the past participle, not the 'to be'.
Rising-Falling
It needs to be DONE. ↘
Expressing a firm requirement or completion.
记住它
记忆技巧
Remember: 'To be' + 'V3' makes the action happen to me!
视觉联想
Imagine a robot standing still while a mechanical arm repairs it. The robot 'wants to be fixed.' The focus is on the repair happening to the robot, not the arm doing the work.
Rhyme
If the subject is the one who's blue, 'to be done' is the form for you!
Story
A lazy king sits on his throne. He doesn't want to do anything. He wants his food 'to be brought,' his clothes 'to be washed,' and his stories 'to be told.' He is the ultimate user of the passive infinitive.
Word Web
挑战
Look around your room. Find three things that need something done to them. Write them down using the passive infinitive (e.g., 'The plant needs to be watered').
文化笔记
In the UK, it is very common to use the gerund '-ing' instead of the passive infinitive after 'need'. For example, 'The car needs washing' instead of 'The car needs to be washed.' Both are correct, but the gerund is more informal.
The passive infinitive is used extensively in corporate environments to avoid blaming individuals. Instead of saying 'You didn't sign the form,' a manager might say 'The form is yet to be signed.'
Legal documents use the passive infinitive to create universal rules that apply to everyone without naming specific people.
The English passive infinitive evolved from Old English, which used a more complex system of inflections to show passive voice.
对话开场白
What is one thing in your house that needs to be fixed?
Do you prefer to be told the truth even if it hurts?
If you were a famous celebrity, would you want to be followed by paparazzi?
What changes do you think need to be made in your city's transport system?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
The car needs ___ (wash) today.
Find and fix the mistake:
He wants to be invite to the party.
There is a lot of work ___.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Espero ser ascendido.
Answer starts with: I h...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Select the correct negative form.
The suspect is believed ___ in London.
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesThe car needs ___ (wash) today.
Find and fix the mistake:
He wants to be invite to the party.
There is a lot of work ___.
be / needs / fixed / it / to
Espero ser ascendido.
To see
Select the correct negative form.
The suspect is believed ___ in London.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesAll visitors are requested ___ at the reception desk.
The documents needed to signed by the manager.
Which of these sentences is correct?
Translate: 'Se dice que la empresa está a punto de lanzar un nuevo producto.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentence beginnings with their appropriate endings:
The ancient ruins are believed ___ by a forgotten civilization.
It's important to understand when learning a new language.
Identify the correct sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the active phrases with their passive counterparts:
Score: /11
常见问题 (8)
Yes, in British English, 'needs doing' is a very common and slightly more informal way to say 'needs to be done'. Both are correct.
It is more formal than active structures, but it is used in everyday speech too, especially for chores and work tasks.
'To be done' is an infinitive, used after verbs like 'want'. 'Being done' is a gerund, used after verbs like 'enjoy' or 'avoid'.
Only with transitive verbs (verbs that take an object). You cannot make 'to be slept' because you can't 'sleep' something.
In English, after 'there is/are', both the active and passive infinitive are often acceptable, but the passive 'to be done' is more common in formal writing.
Put 'not' before 'to'. For example: 'I prefer not to be seen.'
It is called a 'split infinitive'. While common in modern speech, traditional grammar prefers 'not to be'.
Avoid it if it makes the sentence too wordy or if the person doing the action is actually important to the story.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ser + participio / se + verb
English is much stricter about using the passive form for objects.
être + participe passé
French uses 'à' + active infinitive for necessity more than English.
zu werden + Partizip II
The auxiliary verb is 'become' (werden) rather than 'be'.
reru/rareru + koto
Japanese doesn't have a direct 'to + be' structure.
an yutamma + verbal noun
Arabic passive is often built into the verb itself through vowel shifts.
bèi (被) + verb
Chinese has no verb conjugation or infinitives.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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