Used to be being done

[tufguy]

Hi guys,

Please check "I used to be beaten" and "It used to be being done".

 

[BobK]

Check them in what way?

The first needs context to make it grammatical.
For example 'I used to be beaten whenever we played, but now I win occasionally'
or 'I used to be beaten for slurping my soup - that's how brutal they were'

Without some such context (which, incidentally, makes it clear what sort of 'beaten' you mean) the sentence is very odd.

'It used to be being done' works if the speaker is referring to a process. Example: 'A check of everyone's passport used to be being done, but now the Border Agency just doesn't have the manpower.' Again, without an explanatory context, it sounds very odd.

They are both barely grammatical, but can be justified in a very specific context.

b

 

[Roman55]

'A check of everyone's passport used to be being done, but now the Border Agency just doesn't have the manpower.' Again, without an explanatory context, it sounds very odd.

I am not a teacher.

It sounds very odd with an explanatory context as well.

I don't think it says any more than, 'A check of everyone's passport used to be done...'

 

[BobK]

It's talking about a process: 'It used to be being done around the clock, but now it's only being done from 9 to 5.' I didn't say it was elegant, but I think it's acceptable in the right context.

b

 

[SoothingDave]

I think it's odd, too. "It used to be done around the clock" says the same thing, to me.

 

[Roman55]

'It used to be being done around the clock, but now it's only being done from 9 to 5.'

I am not a teacher.

Sorry, still far from convinced.

'It used to be done around the clock...' gets the meaning across just fine.

'Was being done' makes perfect sense but 'used to be being done' sounds like something Nellie Pledge would have said. 'It used to be being done while I was sat sitting there'.

 

[BobK]

I'm not trying to convince anyone. I am saying that in certain circumstances - despite there being preferable alternatives - I would accept it (while regarding it as inelegant).

But, tufguy, you can safely draw the conclusion from this kerfuffle that you'd better avoid it.

b