Is vs is to be , was vs had been

Question

1) Which one is correct and why?The beauty is found in humans.The beauty is to be found in humans.I am a new learner and don't know much about grammar. Why "To be" is used in a sentence by the way?2) Why we use had been in place of was or were?The woman had been afraid.The woman was afraid.Which one is correct?Please define the differences among  them.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

1) Which one is correct and why?
The beauty is found in hum ans.
The beauty is to be found in humans.
I am a new learner and don't know much about grammar. Why "To be" is used in a sentence by the way?
'To be found' is called the passive infinitive.

Like all passive forms,it takes the focus away from the person who is 'doing the action'.

The very general idea is 'The beauty is available to be found (ie can be found) by anybody ( who looks for it )''.

2) Why we use had been in place of was or were?
The woman had been afraid.
The woman was afraid.
Which one is correct?

Please define the differences among them

'She had been' is Past Perfect tense. Have you studied this yet?

In general terms, it indicates that the event or situation was before some other point in the past.

Consider these simple examples.

1. Tom came home. His wife cooked dinner. After an hour, they sat down to eat.

ie first he came home, then she cooked it.

2. Tom came home. His wife had cooked dinner. They sat down to eat immediately.

ie she cooked it before he came home.

Best wishes, Clive

Is vs is to be , was vs had been

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions