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The use of word "being"

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Latest post Thu, Sep 24 2009 1:02 PM by Mister Micawber. 6 replies.
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Anonymous  +  231982 Sat, 03 Jun 06 05:54 AM

Hi all

I 'm coming from Hong Kong and I have many problem in studying English.

I found the word "being" is very common in expressing something such as "People are being suffered" .  Could anybody tell me how to use the word correctly ?

Thanks

Keith
Anonymous
Mister Micawber  +  232014 Sat, 03 Jun 06 09:06 AM

(X) People are being suffered is incorrect as an isolated sentence.  The -ing form of the verb be has as a number of uses-- too many to go into detail here:

Human beings are impatient creatures.
I enjoy being a girl.   (cf.  I enjoy eating sandwiches)
Are you being funny?   (cf. You're acting crazy)
Being human is not as good as being divine.   (cf.  Eating sandwiches is healthy)
Being human, I am not divine.   (cf.  Carrying a pistol, I feel divine)
There is little difference between Being and Nothingness.
etc.

If you find particular instances in context that you need help with, Keith, please let us know.
Mister Micawber
Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004
Yokohama
Veteran Member 30,803
'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
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Related discussions
Anonymous, 1 yr 53 days ago
please explain detail about the word ' being '

i could not understand it    
Mister Micawber  +  572196 Wed, 01 Oct 08 12:56 PM
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My previous post was more than two years ago, and it was directed to another student.

Being generally acts like any other participle (sitting, thinking, going, etc). Please tell me more specifically what you do not understand.
.
Mister Micawber
Anonymous, 232 days ago

i dont how to use this word. i know its show existence but i dont know how  to use

 

Anonymous, 60 days ago
Hi everybody, i'm new in here and poor in English,seeking some helps.

"all that he caught being over a foot in length". I didn't understand ,here, meaning "being".

Another sentence; "He was being nice to me". Not clear to me as well.

Would anyone be able to clear up my confusion of using word "being". I'm expecting someone will give me all possible usages of "being" with suitable examples. I appreciate your time and efforts.

Mister Micawber  +  916041 Thu, 24 Sep 09 01:02 PM
I have already given you some uses and examples above.  No one has time to give you 'all possible' uses.


All that he caught being over a foot in length-- 'Being' means 'existing': all were over 12 inches long

He was being nice to me-- Being = acting.
Mister Micawber
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