Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Non-finite forms

Passive and pseudo-passive structures also occur in non-finite clauses:

I was grateful for the privacy and 

to be allowed to give in to the sadness that

enveloped me. 

Having been diagnosed with cancer, I consulted both my acupuncturist, who

was also a medical doctor, and my nutritionist. 

I assume the matter 

to have been filed in the appropriate records.

Organised by the Norwegian Trade Union movement, the festivities were

attended by representatives from the church and state.

Do you remember Joan’s son’s wife 

getting killed at Mayheath?

(get-passive)

[talking about a baby]

As soon as you pick her up, though, she shuts up. She doesn’t like 

having her

nappy changed.

(have-passive)

Passives may be seen as on a gradient from most typical, central passives to

pseudo-passives and purely adjectival constructions. Agents and recipients of

actions and events may be represented in a wide range of ways.