PASSIVE FORMS OF GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

PASSIVE FORMS OF GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

Do you watch videos on YOUTUBE?

Do you like being forced to watch commercials?

Yes, I do. No, I don't

Nobody likes to be forced to watch commercials. It's annoying, isn't it?

Youtube forces me to watch commercials. I don't like it. I don't like being forced to watch commercials. What's the difference in meaning?

BINGO! The passive focuses on an action instead of the performer of the action.

The people who use social media never tell us the truth. We hate it. We hate not being told the truth (by the people who use...) We hate not to be told the truth (by ...)

hate + being + verb pp

hate + to be + verb pp

hate + being + verb pp to be

SUMMARY

These verbs can be followed by both forms: gerund and infinitive being to be

I hate I like I prefer I can't stand I love I don't like

being not being to be not to be

informed... ignored... forced...

remember in passive we need the verb to be either in gerund or infinitive form.

Some verbs can be followed ONLY by gerund... (being)

ATTENTION:

enjoy resent dislike avoid recommend

entertained.

being

ATTENTION:

Some verbs can be followed ONLY by infinitive... to be

want need would like am glad am angry am ready

considered... informed... remembered ...

to be

QUESTION FORM

Do you enjoy being entertained by commercials on TV? Do you resent being required to watch ads in movie theaters? Doesn't your sister want to be called by her first name? Who likes being shown commercials every few minutes? Where do you like to be seated in a restaurant?

EXPRESSIONS FOLLOWED BY BEING

prepositions + being

I'm interested in She is worried about We are tired of They are opposed to She insists on page 123

promoted sold ignored informed

being

ADJECTIVES FOLLOWED BY TO BE

adjectives + to be

She is happy They are ready I'm determined She is eager They are excited page 124

listened considered promoted seen

to be