Passive continous infinitive

Question

Hi, guys! I have one question that worries me a lot. Is there such grammar construction as Passive Continuous Infinitive in English. I know that traditionally there are only six forms of infinitives. But would it be theoretically possible to say something like: I think he must be being questioned  by police now.  I am grateful to everybody who is ready to help me.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I have one question that worries me a lot. Is there such grammar construction as Passive Continuous Infinitive in English. I know that traditionally there are only six forms of infinitives. But would it be theoretically possible to say something like: I think he must be being questioned by police now. I am grateful to everybody who is ready to help me.

I think he must be being questioned by police now. This example is fine, but there is no infinitive..

Here is a simple example of Passive Continuous. Tom is being questioned.

Perhaps you want to say something like this?

eg Being questioned (by the police) is stressful.

eg I think he is being questioned.

Clive

PS

Or perhaps you want to saythis?

eg To be being questioned by the police is stressful.

I can't think of a case where this would not sound rather weird.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI have one question that worries me a lot.

You're lucky if you only have one question that worries you a lot.

AnonymousIs there such grammar construction as Passive Continuous Infinitive in English.

Yes. to be being + past participle.

Anonymous... he must be being questioned by police now

This is not a common construction, but it's not ungrammatical. It has the infinitive structure you are worried about without to, as is normal after a modal verb (must).

CJ

Passive continous infinitive

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