1. Obligation Obligation means things that people need to do. When talking about obligation, the form noun + infinitive is used. Active and passive infinitives are possible to use. |
Examples: There's a lot of papers to read (to be read). There are still ten tables to serve (to be served). List down the items to buy (to be bought). |
However, when talking about the person who will do the action, it's better to use the active infinitive. |
Examples: I've got things to finish. I will lend you a book to read. Sam gave the accountant the records to review. |
When talking about the action or person/thing that the action is done to, passive infinitive is more appropriate to use. |
Examples: The items to be sold are in the box. The bag is full of coffee beans to be grind. The clothes to be washed are in the basket. |
Also, it's common to use passive infinitives after "be." |
Examples: The car is to be fixed today. These toys are to be wrapped. This meat is to be refrigerated. |
2. To Be Seen/Found/Congratulated etc. Passive infinitives are used with the expressions anywhere/nowhere to be seen/found. And with verbs expressing value judgments such as congratulate, encourage, avoid, passive infinitive is also applied. |
Examples: My bag was nowhere to be found. The car wasn't anywhere to be seen. His effort is meant to be congratulated. |
3. Nothing To Do and Nothing To Be Done etc. Observe the difference between nothing to do and nothing to be done. |
Examples: I'm bored - there's nothing to do here. There's nothing to be done - we'll have to get a new one. |