Grammar: Advanced Verb Forms
C2 Lesson 8: Perfect Gerunds & Infinitives
Why It Matters: Adding Precision
Using "perfect" forms allows you to be very clear that one action happened *before* another. This adds a layer of sophistication and precision to your language.
He denied that he stole the money.
He denied having stolen the money.
The Grammar Rules 📖
The Perfect Gerund
Formula: having + past participle
Use this form to show that an action was completed before the action of the main verb.
- To replace "After":
After finishing his work, he went home. → Having finished his work, he went home. - After certain verbs (e.g., deny, regret, remember):
I regret that I said that. → I regret having said that.
The Perfect Infinitive
Formula: to have + past participle
This form also shows its action happened before the main verb's action. It's common with certain structures.
- With verbs like 'seem', 'appear', 'claim':
He seems to have been happy yesterday. (His happiness was in the past). - To talk about past wishes or regrets:
I would like to have gone to the concert, but I couldn't get a ticket.
💡 Pro Tip: Formality and Usage
While grammatically correct, perfect forms are less common in casual conversation. They are most often found in more formal writing and speech where precision about the sequence of events is important. Using them correctly is a clear sign of an advanced speaker.
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise 1: Simple or Perfect?
Choose the best form (simple or perfect) to complete each sentence.
- _______ (finish) all her tasks, she finally relaxed.
→ Answer: Having finished - He seems _______ (be) a very kind person.
→ Answer: to be (Describes his present state) - I would love _______ (see) the Phare circus in Battambang, but I didn't have time on my last trip.
→ Answer: to have seen (A wish about a missed past opportunity) - She is proud of _______ (win) the award last year.
→ Answer: having won (The winning happened before the feeling of pride) - The politician claimed _______ (never / meet) the businessman before.
→ Answer: to have never met
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Rewrite the Sentences
Rewrite these sentences using a Perfect Gerund or Perfect Infinitive to add clarity and emphasis.
- After I completed the project, I took a long holiday.
→ Having completed the project, I took a long holiday. - It appears that he left his wallet at home.
→ He appears to have left his wallet at home. - I was sorry that I spoke to her so angrily.
→ I regretted having spoken to her so angrily.
Key Vocabulary
- Sequence The order in which things happen or should happen.
- Emphasize To give special importance to something in speaking or writing.
- Perfect Gerund The gerund form used to show a prior action (e.g., having finished).
- Perfect Infinitive The infinitive form used to show a prior action (e.g., to have finished).
- Nuance A subtle difference in meaning, expression, or sound.