Section 2 - Infinitives and -ing form passives
Infinitives after certain verbs
Make, see, hear, and help have different patterns in the active and the passive. In the active, the verb is followed by object + infinitive without to. In the passive, we use a to-infinitive:
| Active | Passive |
| I heard him shout at his brother. They've made him promise not to come before six. |
He was heard to shout at his brother. He's been made to promise not to come before six. |
Watch out!
Let v. allow
We can't use let in the passive when it is followed by a verb phrase. We use allow:
My parents let me do what I wanted. (=active)
I was let to do what I wanted. - INCORRECT
I was allowed to do what I wanted. - CORRECT
- But we can use let in the passive in phrases like:
The dog was let loose. I was badly let down.
Passive infinitives
We form the passive infinitive of verbs by putting to be (sometimes to get) in front of the past participle:
| Active |
Passive |
| There's so much to do. I've got to write this essay before Friday. lf I'm going to do it by then, I'd better get a move on. |
There's so much to be done. This essay has got to be written before Friday. lf it's going to be done by then, I'd better get a move on. |
• We use Perfect passive infinitives to emphasise that something is or isn't completed (See also Unit 1, Section 2 Watch out!):
My new car was to have been delivered today but there was a problem with the paintwork.
Active or passive infinitive
• If the subject is the agent, the sentence is active and we use an active infinitive:
I've got so many library books to return.
• If the subject is not the agent, we use a passive infinitive:
All systems are to be checked as soon as possible.
•
We can use some active and passive infinitives with the same meaning,
especially after There: There are so many rooms to paint / to be
painted.
• But, with something, anything and nothing + to do there can
be a change in meaning:
There's nothing to do in the evenings. (= we're bored) I'm sorry, there's nothing to be done.
(= there's no action anyone can take)
Report verbs
It's thought by the press that the chairman earns too much.
The chairman is thought by the press to earn too much.
There are thought to be disagreements among senior ministers.
• We often introduce a statement with They say, think, believe, etc. or It is said... / One knows..., etc. meaning 'People generally think, believe, etc. ...':
It's thought that carrots improve eyesight. (= Carrots are believed to improve eyesight.)
Passive -ing forms
• after verbs that are normally followed by -ing forms:
I love being given flowers.
She recalled having been taken there when she was young.
• as participles, usually with the meaning of 'because':
Being paid monthly, I find annual bills hard to pay.
Having been stung by bees, she has no love of insects.
• as the subject of a sentence:
Being proved wrong is never a comfortable experience.
Check!
2. She is thought to have been smuggled out of the country in the back of a lorry.
3. They were seen to leave the room together.
4. He is said to be recovering well.
5. The whole place was cleaned until there was not a speck of dust to be seen anywhere.