Being + Past Participle (Gerund Form) (B2 Grammar)

Use 'being + past participle' as a gerund (noun form) to express the experience of receiving an action. This is different from continuous passive - it functions as a noun and can be the subject or object of a sentence.

Quick tip: BEING + past participle = gerund (noun) about experience. Use as subject/object or after prepositions/gerund verbs.

Form: Being + Past Participle (as Noun)

Being + past participle functions as a gerund (noun). It can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. Use after prepositions, verbs that take gerunds, and as subjects.

• Being told what to do all the time is frustrating. (subject - the experience of being told)
• I don't like being criticized in public. (object - the experience of being criticized)
• She's tired of being ignored. (after preposition - the experience of being ignored)
• Being chosen for the team was an honor. (subject - the experience of being chosen)

Use: Experience of Receiving Action

Use when you want to talk about the experience or feeling of having something done to you, rather than who does it. Focuses on how the person feels about receiving the action.

• Being praised feels good. (the experience of receiving praise)
• He hates being interrupted. (the experience of being interrupted)
• Being treated unfairly is upsetting. (the experience of unfair treatment)
• I appreciate being invited. (the experience of receiving an invitation)

After Prepositions and Certain Verbs

Use 'being + past participle' after prepositions (of, about, for, without) and verbs that take gerunds (like, hate, enjoy, avoid, mind, appreciate).

• She's afraid of being rejected. (after preposition 'of')
• I'm tired of being misunderstood. (after preposition 'of')
• He avoids being seen in public. (after verb 'avoids')
• Do you mind being photographed? (after verb 'mind')

Common mistakes

• Not "I don't like to be criticized in public." — say "I don't like being criticized in public.". After 'like' (when meaning enjoy), use gerund 'being criticized', not infinitive 'to be criticized'..
• Not "Being tell what to do is frustrating." — say "Being told what to do is frustrating.". Use past participle after 'being': being told (not 'being tell'). Being + past participle..

Practise it

Ask: Am I talking about the EXPERIENCE of receiving an action (gerund) or the ACTION happening now (continuous passive)?