Could
you please explain the usage of the adjective unfair to us?
For example: I won't argue with you, but I think you are being unfair.
Also, we'd like to learn why being is placed in front of
unfair. How is you're being unfair different from
you're unfair?
Santhosh
KP from India writes:
Really,
this site has helped me a lot. The doubts which people are asking
about are really the doubts of a majority. I am doubtful about using
being. So can you please explain to me the different uses
of being with different examples?
Bhavin
from India writes:
Can
you please explain how being is used with the past participle?
Roger
Woodham replies:
being
+ adjective
We
normally use the progressive form with an adjective when we are
talking about actions and behaviour. And being unfair in
your example sentence, Boon and Nukoon, relates to somebody's behaviour
of not being fair in their actions, so the progressive form
is preferred. Here are some further examples:
You're
being silly / foolish / childish when you do such silly
/ foolish / childish things.
I
was walking on tiptoe and being very careful
not to wake the baby.
However, when the adjectives relate to feelings, we do not use
the progressive form:
I
was upset / worried when I heard that they would
have to operate on John's knee.
I
am delighted / overjoyed to hear that you have passed
all your exams.
being
+ past participle
We use being with the past participle, Bhavin, in present
progressive and past progressive passive forms. So we might say:
My car is being serviced. Instead of: The local garage
is servicing my car.
The computers are being installed tomorrow.
Instead of: They're installing the computers tomorrow.
My nieces enjoyed being taken to the circus.
Rather than: I enjoyed taking my nieces to the circus.
I was quite sure I was being followed.
Instead of: I was quite sure someone was following me.
She was being punished for being cruel to the cat.
Rather than: They were punishing her for being cruel to
the cat.
Note that cruel in the above example is an adjective describing
behaviour so the progressive form is used with it.
Note that other passives with being, i.e the future
progressive passive (will be being) and perfect progressive
passive (has been being) are quite rare.
being
in participle clauses
We can use an adverbial participle clause to express reason
or cause as an alternative to a because/since/as clause.
Using a participle clause in this way is more characteristic of
written English or a literary style, rather than spoken colloquial
English. Compare the following:
Being French, he is passionate about wine
and cheese.
Instead of : Because he is French, he is passionate about
wine and cheese.
Being a friend of Tony Blair, I'm often invited to
No 10.
Rather than: As I am a friend of Tony Blair, I'm often
invited to No 10.
Being quite slim, I was able to squeeze through the
hole in the railings. Instead of: Since I am quite slim
I was able to squeeze through the hole in the railings.
Being rather over weight, Geoffrey was unable to squeeze
through. Rather than: Because he's rather over weight,
Geoffrey was unable to squeeze through.
verb + verb-ing / adj + prep + verb-ing
Note that being as verb-ing, is required in all such
instances:
Would you mind being quiet for a moment?
I look forward to being interviewed on the current
affairs programme.
She was afraid of being accused of a crime which she
did not commit.
I am tired of being taken for granted and expected
to do all the housework.
If
you would like more practice more please visit our in the You, Meand Us part of our
website.
