Item 3

Item 3      

The infinite verb ‘being’

It is used as a part of the verb in the Passive tense of Present and Past Continuous Tense.

Present Continuous Tense

The Active Voce                          The Passive Voice

         am/is/ are F2                            am/ is/ are being F4

[John] is building (a kennel) for his pet dog.

[A kennel] is being built by John for his pet dog.

        Past Continuous Tense

        was / were F2                            was /were being F4

[Peter] was planting (a guava tree) yesterday.

[A guava tree] was being planted by Peter yesterday.

It is used after preposition-----àprep + being + adj

It is because a preposition cannot connect with adjective directly as I have stated earlier the general rule that a preposition is to be followed by a noun phrase / F2 /P3.  In this case, we have to use F2, being to connect adj. 

[S] finite verb + for being + adj

I am sorry for being late.

He was sorry for being rude.

[She] will be sorry for being so absent-minded.

                   xx                         adj-F4

Tom apologised for being so careless.

Tina apologised for being so forgetful.

Being + a noun phrase,

Being the eldest, [he] has to set good examples for his siblings.

Being the principal, she has to be firm with her principles.

Being + adv. of place….

Being here/there at that time, Gilbert witnessed the whole scene of robbery.

Being + prepositional phrase (indicating the place/ adv. of place)….

Being at the staffroom then, Tim overheard the conversation of the teachers on discipline.

…. means optional.  To have /not does not affect the meaning and completeness of the sentence.