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Could some help to clear my confusion as I am uncertain which sentence is grammatically correct:

  1. He is not the right person to be done business with.
  2. He is not right person to do business with.

Lastly, as far as I know "to be" is always followed by verb3rd form, but some one told me that in this case:

...to be doing business

is correct, but I highly doubt it.

Can some one give a link explaining this topic? I searched on Google but couldn't find to be + ing. It's mostly to be is followed by 3rd form.

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    "To be doing" is correct .
    – anouk
    Commented Jan 23, 2019 at 17:29
  • "to do business with" also is correct
    – user45266
    Commented Jan 23, 2019 at 18:09
  • you can download free grammar books, for example Advanced Grammar in Use by Martin Hewings or the Oxford Guide to English Grammar. I find them very useful.
    – anouk
    Commented Jan 23, 2019 at 19:05
  • Ok so it means similar form will be applied in this case aswell he is not fit to be playing with rather than to be played with ... thnx Commented Jan 23, 2019 at 19:15

1 Answer 1

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2 is correct if you mean that you will be doing business in the future and are doubtful as to whether you should do it with him.

You could use either "To do" or "To be doing" if you are currently doing business. I hope this helps!

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  • Thnx fr helping aidan... i m trying to spruce up my grammar... could u tell me wht kind kf sentences are these... when we use to be + ing cz i m hving finding specific topic which could clear my confusion on how and when to use to be with ing.... Commented Jan 24, 2019 at 7:00
  • These are called continuous Infinitive. Another example of it can be 'I would really like to be swimming right now'.There are also perfect and perfect continuous Infinitive and their passives are also possible.
    – RADS
    Commented Mar 28, 2021 at 3:19

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