Passive Infinitive & Gerund: Usage, Examples, Exercises

Passive Infinitive & Gerund: Usage, Examples, Exercises

by

Mastering the passive infinitive and gerund forms is crucial for advanced English proficiency. These forms allow you to express actions where the subject is acted upon, adding nuance and precision to your writing and speech.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and using passive infinitives and gerunds, complete with definitions, examples, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Whether you’re an ESL learner, a student preparing for exams, or simply someone looking to refine their English skills, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and practice you need.

The passive voice, in general, shifts the focus from the actor to the receiver of the action. Understanding how to form and use passive infinitives and gerunds will enable you to create more sophisticated and varied sentence structures.

By the end of this article, you’ll be confident in identifying and using these forms correctly in a wide range of contexts.

Table of Contents

Definition of Passive Infinitive and Gerund

The passive infinitive and passive gerund are verb forms that combine the characteristics of infinitives and gerunds with the passive voice. This means they describe an action being done to the subject, rather than an action performed by the subject. Understanding these forms is essential for mastering advanced English grammar and expressing nuanced meanings.

A gerund is a verb form ending in “-ing” that functions as a noun. When it is in the passive voice, it indicates that the subject of the verb is receiving the action. An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by “to.” The passive infinitive indicates that the subject of the verb is also receiving the action.

Structural Breakdown

Understanding the structure of passive infinitives and gerunds is crucial for their correct usage. The structure dictates how these forms are constructed and integrated into sentences.

Passive Infinitive Structure

The basic structure of a passive infinitive is: to be + past participle. This form indicates that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of the verb.

For example, in the sentence “He wants to be promoted,” “to be promoted” is the passive infinitive. The subject, “he,” is not performing the action of promoting; rather, he is the recipient of the action.

Passive Gerund Structure

The basic structure of a passive gerund is: being + past participle. Like the passive infinitive, this form indicates that the subject is receiving the action of the verb, but it functions as a noun.

For instance, in the sentence “He avoids being seen in public,” “being seen” is the passive gerund. The subject, “he,” is not performing the action of seeing; instead, he is avoiding the state of *being* seen.

Types and Categories

Passive infinitives and gerunds can be further divided into simple and perfect forms, depending on the time frame they represent relative to the main verb.

Simple Passive Infinitive

The simple passive infinitive (to be + past participle) refers to an action that is happening at the same time as or after the main verb.

Example: “She hopes to be chosen for the team.” Here, the action of being chosen is expected to occur after the hope.

Perfect Passive Infinitive

The perfect passive infinitive (to have been + past participle) refers to an action that was completed before the time of the main verb.

Example: “He claims to have been robbed.” This means that the robbery occurred before the claim was made.

Simple Passive Gerund

The simple passive gerund (being + past participle) refers to an action happening generally or at the same time as the main verb.

Example: “He dislikes being interrupted.” The dislike and the interruption occur around the same time.

Perfect Passive Gerund

The perfect passive gerund (having been + past participle) refers to an action that was completed before the action of the main verb.

Example: “He regretted having been fired from his job.” The firing occurred before the regret.

Examples

To fully understand the passive infinitive and gerund, let’s explore many examples in different contexts.

Passive Infinitive Examples

The table below presents examples of both simple and perfect passive infinitives in various sentences. Understanding these examples will help clarify the context in which each form is used.

Sentence Passive Infinitive Type
She wants to be invited to the party. to be invited Simple
He hopes to be selected for the team. to be selected Simple
The project needs to be finished by Friday. to be finished Simple
They expect to be paid on time. to be paid Simple
It is important to be informed about the latest updates. to be informed Simple
He pretends to be misunderstood. to be misunderstood Simple
She seems to be respected by her colleagues. to be respected Simple
The evidence appears to be tampered with. to be tampered with Simple
He is said to be admired by many. to be admired Simple
The book is known to be translated into several languages. to be translated Simple
She claims to have been awarded the prize. to have been awarded Perfect
He is believed to have been involved in the scandal. to have been involved Perfect
They are thought to have been lost at sea. to have been lost Perfect
She pretends to have been deceived. to have been deceived Perfect
He seems to have been forgotten. to have been forgotten Perfect
The documents appear to have been altered. to have been altered Perfect
He is said to have been rescued by the locals. to have been rescued Perfect
The painting is known to have been stolen. to have been stolen Perfect
She denies to have been informed about the change. to have been informed Perfect
He regrets to have been misled. to have been misled Perfect
The report ought to have been reviewed. to have been reviewed Perfect
The letter appears to have been delivered. to have been delivered Perfect
The package was expected to have been shipped earlier. to have been shipped Perfect
The meeting was supposed to have been scheduled. to have been scheduled Perfect
The problem seems to have been resolved. to have been resolved Perfect
See also  Antonyms: Mastering Words with Opposite Meanings

This table demonstrates the use of passive infinitives in sentences, showing how actions are received by the subject. The “Type” column indicates whether the infinitive is simple or perfect, clarifying the timing of the action relative to the main verb.

Passive Gerund Examples

The following table provides examples of both simple and perfect passive gerunds, illustrating their use as nouns in various contexts. These examples cover a range of sentence structures to show how passive gerunds function.

Sentence Passive Gerund Type
He avoids being seen in public. being seen Simple
She dislikes being interrupted. being interrupted Simple
There is a risk of being misunderstood. being misunderstood Simple
He is afraid of being rejected. being rejected Simple
The child enjoys being read to. being read to Simple
She is tired of being told what to do. being told Simple
He resents being ignored. being ignored Simple
There’s no point in being deceived. being deceived Simple
She appreciates being helped. being helped Simple
He is accustomed to being praised. being praised Simple
He regretted having been fired from his job. having been fired Perfect
She was ashamed of having been caught cheating. having been caught Perfect
He is proud of having been selected for the team. having been selected Perfect
They were grateful for having been rescued. having been rescued Perfect
She was relieved at having been informed of the changes. having been informed Perfect
He was disappointed at having been overlooked for the promotion. having been overlooked Perfect
She was happy at having been chosen for the role. having been chosen Perfect
He was surprised at having been invited to the event. having been invited Perfect
They were pleased at having been given the opportunity. having been given Perfect
She was upset at having been ignored by her friends. having been ignored Perfect
He was concerned about having been exposed to the virus. having been exposed Perfect
She was delighted at having been awarded the scholarship. having been awarded Perfect
He was frustrated at having been delayed by the traffic. having been delayed Perfect
She was thrilled at having been recognized for her achievements. having been recognized Perfect
He was worried about having been seen with the suspect. having been seen Perfect

This table illustrates how passive gerunds function as nouns, showing the action being received by the subject. The “Type” column distinguishes between simple and perfect gerunds, indicating the timing of the action relative to the main verb.

Usage Rules

Using passive infinitives and gerunds correctly requires understanding the specific rules that govern their usage. These rules ensure clarity and precision in expressing passive actions.

Infinitive Usage Rules

Passive infinitives are often used after verbs that express intention, expectation, or possibility. They can also be used after adjectives to describe how someone feels about an action.

Rule 1: Use after verbs like want, hope, expect, need, and like.

Example: “He wants to be promoted.”

Rule 2: Use after adjectives like important, necessary, and difficult.

Example: “It is important to be informed.”

Rule 3: Use after verbs of perception like seem, appear, and believe, often with “to be.”

Example: “He seems to be respected.”

Gerund Usage Rules

Passive gerunds are used as nouns, functioning as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence. They often follow prepositions or verbs that take gerunds as objects.

Rule 1: Use after prepositions like of, in, for, and about.

Example: “He is afraid of being rejected.”

Rule 2: Use as the subject of a sentence.

Example: “Being seen in public makes him uncomfortable.”

Rule 3: Use after verbs that take gerunds as objects, such as avoid, dislike, enjoy, and resent.

See also  Mastering 5-Letter Words with "ENI" in the Middle

Example: “She dislikes being interrupted.”

Rule 4: Use after expressions like there is no point in and it’s no use.

Example: “There is no point in being deceived.”

Common Mistakes

Learners often make mistakes when using passive infinitives and gerunds. Recognizing these common errors can help you avoid them.

Mistake 1: Using the active form instead of the passive form.

Incorrect: “He wants that someone promotes him.”

Correct: “He wants to be promoted.”

Mistake 2: Incorrectly forming the passive infinitive or gerund.

Incorrect: “She avoids being see.”

Correct: “She avoids being seen.”

Mistake 3: Using the infinitive form when a gerund is required (or vice versa).

Incorrect: “He is afraid of to be rejected.”

Correct: “He is afraid of being rejected.”

Mistake 4: Misusing the perfect form.

Incorrect: “He regrets being fired.” (when the firing happened before the regret)

Correct: “He regretted having been fired.”

Mistake 5: Omitting “being” in passive gerund constructions.

Incorrect: “He dislikes interrupted.”

Correct: “He dislikes being interrupted.”

Practice Exercises

The following exercises will help you practice using passive infinitives and gerunds correctly. Each exercise focuses on a different aspect of their usage.

Exercise 1: Identifying Passive Infinitives and Gerunds

Identify the passive infinitives and gerunds in the following sentences. Indicate whether they are simple or perfect.

Sentence Passive Infinitive/Gerund Type
1. She enjoys being praised for her work.
2. He hopes to be invited to the conference.
3. They regretted having been misled by the advertisement.
4. It is important to be informed of the risks.
5. He is afraid of being seen with her.
6. She claims to have been given the wrong information.
7. He avoids being criticized in public.
8. She is proud of having been selected for the team.
9. He expects to be paid on time.
10. They were grateful for having been rescued from the fire.

Answers:

Sentence Passive Infinitive/Gerund Type
1. She enjoys being praised for her work. being praised Simple
2. He hopes to be invited to the conference. to be invited Simple
3. They regretted having been misled by the advertisement. having been misled Perfect
4. It is important to be informed of the risks. to be informed Simple
5. He is afraid of being seen with her. being seen Simple
6. She claims to have been given the wrong information. to have been given Perfect
7. He avoids being criticized in public. being criticized Simple
8. She is proud of having been selected for the team. having been selected Perfect
9. He expects to be paid on time. to be paid Simple
10. They were grateful for having been rescued from the fire. having been rescued Perfect

Exercise 2: Forming Passive Infinitives and Gerunds

Complete the following sentences using the passive infinitive or gerund form of the verb in parentheses.

Sentence Answer
1. He wants _________ (invite) to the party.
2. She avoids _________ (criticize) in public.
3. It is important _________ (inform) about the changes.
4. He regrets _________ (fire) from his job.
5. She dislikes _________ (interrupt) during meetings.
6. They expect _________ (pay) on time.
7. He is proud of _________ (select) for the team.
8. She seems _________ (respect) by her colleagues.
9. He is tired of _________ (tell) what to do.
10. They were grateful for _________ (rescue) from the flood.

Answers:

Sentence Answer
1. He wants _________ (invite) to the party. to be invited
2. She avoids _________ (criticize) in public. being criticized
3. It is important _________ (inform) about the changes. to be informed
4. He regrets _________ (fire) from his job. having been fired
5. She dislikes _________ (interrupt) during meetings. being interrupted
6. They expect _________ (pay) on time. to be paid
7. He is proud of _________ (select) for the team. having been selected
8. She seems _________ (respect) by her colleagues. to be respected
9. He is tired of _________ (tell) what to do. being told
10. They were grateful for _________ (rescue) from the flood. having been rescued

Exercise 3: Using Passive Infinitives and Gerunds in Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences using passive infinitives or gerunds.

Sentence Answer
1. Someone needs to finish the project by Friday. The project needs _________.
2. She doesn’t like people interrupting her. She dislikes _________.
3. It is important that someone informs him about the situation. It is important _________.
4. He regrets that they fired him from his job. He regrets _________.
5. She is happy that they selected her for the team. She is happy about _________.
6. He wants people to invite him to the party. He wants _________.
7. They expect that someone will pay them on time. They expect _________.
8. It is necessary that someone informs her of the changes. It is necessary _________.
9. He avoids people seeing him in public. He avoids _________.
10. She is proud that they chose her for the role. She is proud of _________.

Answers:

Sentence Answer
1. Someone needs to finish the project by Friday. The project needs to be finished by Friday.
2. She doesn’t like people interrupting her. She dislikes being interrupted.
3. It is important that someone informs him about the situation. It is important to be informed about the situation.
4. He regrets that they fired him from his job. He regrets having been fired from his job.
5. She is happy that they selected her for the team. She is happy about having been selected for the team.
6. He wants people to invite him to the party. He wants to be invited to the party.
7. They expect that someone will pay them on time. They expect to be paid on time.
8. It is necessary that someone informs her of the changes. It is necessary to be informed of the changes.
9. He avoids people seeing him in public. He avoids being seen in public.
10. She is proud that they chose her for the role. She is proud of having been chosen for the role.
See also  Describing Cake: A Comprehensive Guide to Adjectives

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, understanding more complex aspects of passive infinitives and gerunds can further refine their English skills.

Advanced Passive Infinitive Constructions

Advanced constructions involve using passive infinitives with more complex verb structures. For instance, using them after modal verbs or with more nuanced adjectives.

Example: “The report should have been reviewed by the manager.” (Modal verb)

Example: “It is vital for the evidence to be preserved carefully.” (Nuanced adjective)

Advanced Passive Gerund Constructions

Advanced passive gerund constructions often involve using them in more complex noun phrases or with specific prepositions that require careful attention.

Example: “The possibility of being promoted motivated him to work harder.” (Complex noun phrase)

Example: “Despite having been warned, he continued his reckless behavior.” (Specific preposition)

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about passive infinitives and gerunds.

Q1: What is the difference between an active and passive infinitive?

A: An active infinitive (e.g., “to do”) indicates that the subject performs the action, while a passive infinitive (e.g., “to be done”) indicates that the subject receives the action. For example, “He wants to do the work” (active) vs. “He wants the work to be done” (passive).

Q2: How do I know when to use a passive infinitive versus a passive gerund?

A: Use a passive infinitive after verbs that express intention, expectation, or possibility, and after adjectives. Use a passive gerund as a noun, functioning as a subject, object, or after prepositions. Consider the grammatical function in the sentence.

Q3: Can I use a passive infinitive as the subject of a sentence?

A: While less common, it is grammatically possible. For example, “To be chosen would be a great honor.” However, it’s often more natural to rephrase the sentence using “being chosen” or another construction.

Q4: What are the common verbs that are followed by gerunds?

A: Common verbs followed by gerunds include avoid, dislike, enjoy, finish, mind, practice, quit, resent, suggest, and understand. For example, “She avoids being seen in public.”

Q5: Is it always necessary to use the passive voice?

A: No, the passive voice should be used strategically when the action is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or unimportant. Overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound unnatural and convoluted.

Q6: What is the difference between ‘to be doing’ and ‘being done’?

A: ‘To be doing’ is the continuous active infinitive, indicating an ongoing action performed by the subject. ‘Being done’ is the simple passive gerund, indicating the subject is receiving the action. For example, “He wants to be doing the experiment” (active) vs. “He dislikes being done with the experiment” (passive – somewhat awkward, but grammatically valid).

Q7: When should I use the perfect passive gerund over the simple passive gerund?

A: Use the perfect passive gerund when the action being described happened before the time of the main verb. Use the simple passive gerund when the action is happening at the same time or generally.

Q8: Are there any cases where using a passive infinitive or gerund is grammatically correct, but stylistically awkward?

A: Yes, sometimes using a passive construction can make a sentence sound unnatural or cumbersome. In such cases, it’s better to rephrase the sentence using an active construction or a different grammatical structure. For example, “The book needs to be read” is grammatically correct, but “Someone needs to read the book” might sound more natural.

Conclusion

Mastering the passive infinitive and gerund forms is a significant step towards advanced English proficiency. These forms enable you to express actions where the subject is acted upon, adding depth and nuance to your communication.

By understanding their structure, usage rules, and common mistakes, you can confidently incorporate them into your writing and speech.

Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the context in which these forms are used. With consistent effort, you’ll become proficient in using passive infinitives and gerunds, enhancing your overall command of the English language.

Keep practicing with the exercises provided and continue to explore various examples to solidify your understanding. Good luck!