Being vs to be

[olegv]

1. Please explain me whether I can use the following sentences without the change in meaning.

I never imagined him being so stupid.
I never imagined him to being so stupid

2. Is my understanding correct that both sentences convey the idea that he is being stupid as the moment. In other words, I will be wrong saying that I never imagined him being so stupid if I would like to say that he has an inherent desease. And the only right way will be I never imagined him to be so stupid (being so stupoid and being so stupid) will be not correct.

Thank you.

 

[bhaisahab]

1. Please explain me whether I can use the following sentences without the change in meaning.

I never imagined him being so stupid.
I never imagined him to being so stupid. This is incorrect.

2. Is my understanding correct that both sentences convey the idea that he is being stupid as the moment. In other words, I will be wrong saying that I never imagined him being so stupid if I would like to say that he has an inherent desease. And the only right way will be I never imagined him to be so stupid (being so stupoid and being so stupid) will be not correct.

Thank you.

Bhai.

 

[olegv]

Thank you. You have noticed that I never imagined him to being so stupid is incorrect.

Can I use I never imagined him to be being so stupid instead. Thank you.

 

[Rover_KE]

Thank you. You have not[STRIKE]ic[/STRIKE]ed that "I never imagined him to being so stupid" is incorrect.

Can I use "I never imagined him to be being so stupid" instead?

No — you can say "I never imagined him to be so stupid".

Rover

 

[olegv]

Thank you. Can you please explain to be a little bit further. Why cannot we use "I never imagined him to be being so stupid" as continuous form infinitive. I would like to reflect that he is behaving like a stupid person at the moment using this structure. Thank you.

 

[bhaisahab]

Thank you. Can you please explain to be a little bit further. Why cannot we use "I never imagined him to be being so stupid" as continuous form infinitive. I would like to reflect that he is behaving like a stupid person at the moment using this structure. Thank you.

It is an incorrect structure.

 

[olegv]

But can I say "I cannot imagine him to be playing football". Thank you.

 

[bhaisahab]

But can I say "I cannot imagine him to be playing football". Thank you.

No. "I cannot imagine him playing football".