Complex Verb Forms
Perfect, Passive & Prepositions
1. Perfect Forms (Past Time)
⏳
having + V3 / to have + V3
Emphasizes the action happened before the main verb.
He admitted to having stolen the money.
គាត់បានសារភាពថា (ធ្លាប់បាន) លួចលុយនោះ
She seems to have forgotten the meeting.
នាងហាក់ដូចជាបានភ្លេចការប្រជុំ
2. Passive Forms
🛡️
being + V3 / to be + V3
When the subject receives the action.
I dislike being told what to do.
ខ្ញុំមិនចូលចិត្តអោយគេប្រាប់ថាត្រូវធ្វើអ្វីទេ
He expects to be promoted soon.
គាត់រំពឹងថានឹងត្រូវបានតម្លើងតំណែងឆាប់ៗ
The "To" Trap
Is "To" a preposition or infinitive?
⚠️ Rule: "To" as a Preposition
Usually, "to" starts an infinitive (to eat). But in these phrases, "to" is a preposition, so it must be followed by -ING.
- Look forward to ... doing
- Object to ... doing
- Confess to ... doing
- Be used to ... doing
- Devoted to ... doing
Examples:
I look forward to seeing you.
ខ្ញុំទន្ទឹងរង់ចាំជួបអ្នក (Correct)
He objects to working on Sundays.
គាត់ជំទាស់នឹងការធ្វើការថ្ងៃអាទិត្យ
Job Interview 💼
Formal & Complex Language
HR Manager 👩💼
Thank you for coming. I noticed you mentioned having worked in Singapore?
Candidate 👨💻
Yes. I admit to having had a great experience there. I gained valuable skills.
HR Manager 👩💼
Excellent. Are you accustomed to working under pressure?
Candidate 👨💻
Absolutely. Actually, I prefer being challenged rather than doing easy tasks.
C1 Mastery Check 🧠
Select the grammatically correct form.
She confessed to ___ the vase. (Past action)
I am not used to ___ up so early.
He denied ___ by the police. (Passive)
Mission 📝
Formal Email
Write a Complaint
Write 3 formal sentences using the structures below:
-
1. (Object to + -ing)
Example: I object to paying for this error. -
2. (Resent + being + V3)
Example: I resent being treated unfairly. -
3. (Regret + having + V3)
Example: I regret having trusted this company.