B2Complex verb patterns

Complex gerunds and infinitives

Control passive, continuous and perfect infinitive/gerund forms so the non-finite verb expresses the correct time relationship and voice.

Overview

What this grammar does

Control passive, continuous and perfect infinitive/gerund forms so the non-finite verb expresses the correct time relationship and voice.

Form and rules

How it works

Perfect infinitive: to have + past participle locates the infinitive action earlier: She seems to have left.

Continuous infinitive: to be + -ing presents an ongoing action: He appears to be sleeping.

Passive infinitive: to be + past participle; perfect passive infinitive: to have been + past participle.

Perfect gerund: having + past participle can make earlier completion explicit: He denied having taken it.

Passive gerund: being + past participle; perfect passive gerund: having been + past participle, used when the -ing clause receives the action.

A closer look

Meaning and use

Perfect gerund: having + past participle can make earlier completion explicit: He denied having taken it.

Passive gerund: being + past participle; perfect passive gerund: having been + past participle, used when the -ing clause receives the action.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

She seems to have forgotten.

They appear to be negotiating.

The documents need to be signed.

He denied having leaked the memo.

She complained about being ignored.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

He appears to leave the company already.

He appears to have left the company already.

The leaving happened before the present appearance/judgment, so use the perfect infinitive.

They seem to discuss a new agreement at the moment.

They seem to be discussing a new agreement at the moment.

An ongoing action simultaneous with seem uses the continuous infinitive.

Ready to practise?

The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.

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