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Active and passive infinitive with similar meaning

Obligation​

We can use noun + infinitive to talk about obligation – things that people have to do. Active and passive infinitives are often both possible.

  • There’s a lot of work to do / to be done.
  • Give me the names of the people to contact / to be contacted.
  • The people to interview / to be interviewed are in the next room.

We prefer active infinitives if we are thinking more about the person who will do the action.

  • I’ve got work to do. (not I’ve got work to be done.)
  • They’ve sent Megan a form to complete.

We use passive infinitives if we are thinking more about the action, or the person/thing that the action is done to.

  • The carpets to be cleaned are in the garage. (not The carpets to clean …)
  • His desk is covered with forms to be filled in.

After be, we normally use passive infinitives.

  • These sheets are to be washed. (not These sheets are to wash.)
  • This form is to be filled in in ink. (not This form is to fill in …)
  • The cleaning is to be finished by midday. (not … is to finish …)

to be seen/found/congratulated, etc​

Note the expressions anywhere/nowhere to be seen/found.

  • He wasn’t anywhere to be seen. (not … anywhere to see.)
  • Susan was nowhere to be found. (not … nowhere to find.)

We also use passive infinitives to express value judgements with verbs like congratulate, encourage, avoid.

  • You are to be congratulated. (not … to congratulate.)
  • This behaviour is to be encouraged.

But note the common expression to blame, meaning ‘responsible’ (for some unfortunate event).

  • Nobody was to blame for the accident.

nothing to do and nothing to be done, etc​

Note the difference between nothing to do and nothing to be done.

  • I’m bored – there’s nothing to do. (= There are no entertainments.)
  • There’s nothing to be done – we’ll have to buy a new one. (= There’s no way of putting it right.)
note

For structures like She’s easy to amuse, (see here).

For structures with take (e.g. The ferry took two hours to unload), (see here).

For more about be + infinitive, (see here).