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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Word question

I am confused with the meaning and usage of 'being'. Specifically, what does 'being' imply in these sentences? Is it present particle in both with different meanings maybe? I have given my attempts regarding what I think.

1. He is 'being' questioned about his actions. Does it imply here that he is presently being questioned (present continuous)?

2. The new device he invented 'being' made with Microsoft is remarkable. Does it imply here 'the fact that it's made with Microsoft'?

If I am correct, it seems that it can function differently in different sentences, right?

Thanks!
Thanks.
  

Top answer

They are both examples of passive progressive. The first is finite; the second is non-finite.

— Mister Micawber

  • They are both examples of passive progressive.
  • The first is finite; the second is non-finite.
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10 Answers
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They are both examples of passive progressive. The first is finite; the second is non-finite.
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Mister MicawberThey are both examples of passive progressive. The first is finite; the second is non-finite.
I see. Thanks teacher. So this has nothing to do with what I explained and in both sentences 'being' indicates thatthe events happening in the present (progressive/continuous). Right?

So does the use of 'being made' in the seconds example con
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1. Right
2. We presume so.
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Mister Micawber1. Right2. We presume so.
Thanks a lot, teacher.

I would like to share another example: "one of the devices 'being made' with Microsoft instruments is a blood pressure monitor.

So here again 'being made' conveys that it is in the present process of making (as you said), which is always has that meaning (present progressive), r
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Progressive forms are a 'now' action, but in non-finite structures the 'now' is relative to the finite verb or the context.
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Mister MicawberProgressive forms are a 'now' action, but in non-finite structures the 'now' is relative to the finite verb or the context.
I see. So what is the finite verb and the 'now' in this example?

"one of the devices 'being made' with Microsoft instruments is a blood pressure monitor.

Is the finite verb the past particle 'made', and t
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Mister MicawberThe finite verb is 'is'.
Oh I see. So it has nothing to do with the past participle. right?

What about the other questions? So is it in the present in this sentence since 'is' is the finite verb or due to context in this example of passive progressive non finite sentence?
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Because 'is' is present, we presume that the non-finite participle also refers to the present.
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Mister MicawberBecause 'is' is present, we presume that the non-finite participle also refers to the present.
Got it. But in either case, finite non finite, the passive progressive (being + participle) is progressive/continuous in such examples, right?

Lastly, what about the use of 'that is/was' prior to these examples, as I have seen such sentences,
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