TOPIC 1: Passive and Past Forms of Infinitives and Gerunds
You've already seen active infinitives and gerunds, such as to do or doing. There are also passive infinitives and gerunds, to be done or being done. As you can see, the
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passive infinitive is formed with to be + past participle: to be seen, to be taken, to be placed. It is used with a main verb in the present tense to show an action that has not yet happened.
She wants to be given the opportunity to go to Europe.
I expect to be laid off this month.
If the main verb is in the past, the passive infinitive shows an action that (may have) happened after the action of the main verb.
He hoped to be seen at the beach, but no one was there.
They planned to be driven to the airport early this morning, and they left on time.
One common use of the passive infinitive with be as the main verb is to give instructions.
Time cards are to be inserted into the clock.
The pilot light is to be turned on before the gas.
The passive gerund is formed with being + past participle: being seen, being taken, being placed. The passive gerund can have the same functions as the active gerund— as subject or object.
/ appreciate being driven to the airport.
Being stung by a bee is one of her greatest fears.
She mentioned being held up on the freeway.
There are also past forms of infinitives and gerunds. The past infinitive is formed with to have + past participle: to have seen, to have taken, to have placed. It expresses an action that happened before the time of the main verb.
The weather seems to have changed very recently.
It's so late; the guests are expected to have arrived already.
The past gerund is formed with having + past participle: having seen, having taken, having placed. It also expresses something that happened before the time of the main verb, and it can serve the same functions as the regular gerund.
As an adult he likes having had the chance to study abroad.
We discussed having received the wrong information yesterday.
Having already been laid off proved to be very helpful to Samantha.
PRACTICE EXERCISE 1: Finish each sentence with the correct form of the verb. First use the passive infinitive.
1. Nobody wants (take) _________ advantage of.
2. This product is (use) __________ sparingly.
3. Tom hopes (call back) __________ for the job that he interviewed for.
Now use the passive gerund.
4. Jack doesn't like (tease) _________ about his height.
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5. Maria doesn't enjoy (ask) __________ to make photocopies.
6. Jan and Carol appreciate (help) _________ by their parents.
Use the past infinitive.
7. Somebody seems (remember) _________ the cake for Marty's retirement.
8. The employees were expected (fill out) __________ their benefits forms by yesterday.
Use the past gerund.
9. She denies (go) _________ to the boss with her story.
10. Georgia regrets (offer) _________ the job to her brother-in-law.
TOPIC 2: Passive Infinitives and Gerunds after need
Both passive infinitives and gerunds can be used after need. The implication is that it is either unknown or not important who is expected to perform the action.
This room needs to be cleaned, and I don't care who does it!
My office needs to be painted, but I'm not sure who'll do it.
This room needs cleaning, and I don't care who does it!
My office needs painting, but I'm not sure who'll do it.
The forms above are essentially interchangeable. However, the passive infinitive form is more emphatic than the gerund form. The gerund form often sounds less formal and more conversational. Many speakers limit its use to chores, tasks, or goals—
especially household ones—while the passive infinitive is used more widely.
PRACTICE EXERCISE 2: Fill in the blanks with need + gerund. Pay attention to the tense of need.
1. The light bulb in this lamp (replace) __________ . 2. The dog (walk) __________ every night.
3. The garden (weed) _________ before we can plant anything in it.
4. My bike (fix) __________ before I was able to use it again.
5. This tree (water) _________ if it doesn't rain soon.
Now fill in the blanks with need + passive infinitive.
6. These files (move) _________ to the storage room if they're not current.
7. The position (fill) __________ before Monday.
8. We (drop off) __________ at the airport by 6 A.M., but we got there late.
9. The computer program (install) ___________before Monday.
10. This medicine (mix) __________ with water.
TOPIC 3: Using Possessives to Modify Gerunds
A possessive can be used to modify a gerund. If you remember that a gerund is a noun, then this structure will make more sense.
Did you know about our visiting you next week?
I decided what to do about John's meeting my friend.
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This construction is also common with past gerunds.
Did you know about her having offered the job to someone?
I was concerned about Henry's not having called us in so long.
It is common to hear an informal form, with an object noun or pronoun instead of the possessive adjective. Note that this is a conversational form, and not a written form. Be careful about when you use it.
We told them about us going on vacation next month.
The interviewer asked about him leaving his last job.
PRACTICE EXERCISE 3: Fill in each blank with the correct gerund and possessive.
Use the clues in parentheses.
1. I'm nervous about _________ surgery next week, (my mother, have) 2. The department is excited about _________ new offices, (everyone, get) 3. He was upset about _________ him the position, (his director, not offer) 4. Jack's wife is worried about _________ late, (he, be)
5. Sam often complains about _________ broken, (the photocopier, be)
6. Jordan was practicing the guitar until late at night, and ___________ kept us awake.
(he, play).
7. ______________ a new car was an excellent idea, (they, buy)
8.____________ to human resources angered Julie's coworkers, (she, complain)