being told, being asked (the -ing of a passive) (B2 Grammar)
To name the experience of having something done to you as a single idea, use being + the past participle. It acts as a noun — it can be the subject or the object: Being told what to do is tiring. Other examples: being asked, being chosen.
being + the past participle
Being told what to do all day is tiring.
Being chosen for the team meant a lot to her.
Nobody likes being interrupted mid-sentence.
Not "Being tell what to do is frustrating." — say "Being told what to do is frustrating.". After being, use the past participle: being told, not "being tell".
Try it: ___ in front of everyone made her uncomfortable. (Being praised / Being praise / Be praised) Answer: Being praised — To name the experience of having something done to you, use being + the past participle: Being praised. "Being praise" uses the base verb after being. "Be praised" can't start the idea on its own; you need the -ing of being here.
After enjoy, mind, avoid
Some verbs only take the -ing form after them, like enjoy, mind, avoid, keep, can't stand. After these, use being + the past participle, not "to be".
She enjoys being asked for her opinion.
I don't mind being woken early.
He can't stand being told what to do.
Not "I enjoy to be praised in public." — say "I enjoy being praised in public.". After enjoy, only being + the past participle works, never "to be".
Try it: Lars tries to avoid ___ in the middle of a story. (being interrupted / to be interrupted / being interrupt) Answer: being interrupted — Avoid only takes the -ing form, so it takes being + the past participle: avoid being interrupted. "To be interrupted" uses a pattern avoid doesn't allow. "Being interrupt" uses the base verb after being instead of the past participle.
After without, after, before, on: being + past participle
Linking words like without, after, before, on, by are followed by the -ing form (without asking, after leaving). For the passive, that -ing form is being + the past participle: without being noticed, after being told.
She slipped out without being noticed.
After being told the news, he sat down.
You can fix it by being honest about the problem.
Not "She left without be noticed." — say "She left without being noticed.". After a linking word like without, use the -ing form: being + the past participle, not "be".
Try it: She slipped out of the meeting ___ noticed. (without being / without be / without to be) Answer: without being — After a linking word like without, you use the -ing form, so the passive is without being + the past participle: without being noticed. "Without be" and "without to be" both use the wrong shape; only the -ing of being fits after without.