Gerunds and Infinitives: Perfect and Passive Forms
C1 Level
English Exercises is teacher-led by Charlie. About the teacher · How content is made
Gerunds have similar forms. The perfect gerund (having done) refers to an earlier action: "He denied having met her before" (he denied meeting her earlier). The passive gerund (being done) focuses on receiving action: "I don't like being watched." These advanced forms appear in Cambridge C1 Advanced examinations and in formal written English. They allow you to express precise time relationships and voice distinctions that simple gerunds and infinitives cannot convey. Mastering these forms is essential for expressing yourself with precision at upper-intermediate and advanced levels of English.
Quick Rule
to have done (perfect) | to be done (passive) | continuous infinitive: to be + verb-ing | having done (perfect gerund) | being done (passive gerund)
- 1.She doesn't seem to have lost her keys. (negative + perfect infinitive)
- 2.I expect to be promoted next month. (passive infinitive — receive promotion)
- 3.He denied having taken the money. (perfect gerund — earlier action)
- 4.Nobody likes being criticised in public. (passive gerund — receive criticism)
- 5.They appear to be discussing something important. (continuous infinitive — ongoing)
All 20 questions
Complete each sentence with the correct COMPLEX form of the verb. Choose from: perfect infinitive (to have done), continuous infinitive (to be doing), passive infinitive (to be done), perfect gerund (having done), or passive gerund (being done). Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb.
Nobody wants _____ (blame) for the failure.
He appears _____ (sleep). Don't disturb him.
She claims _____ (meet) the president at a conference last year.
She is thought _____ (be) the best candidate for the job.
The work is expected _____ (complete) by next month.
He hates _____ (interrupt) when he's working.
_____ (warn) about the traffic, we left early.
He seems _____ (enjoy) his new job.
I appreciate _____ (give) the opportunity to speak.
The report needs _____ (finish) by Friday.
He is reported _____ (escape) from prison last night.
The politician denied _____ (take) any bribes.
_____ (complete) his degree, he moved to New York to start his career.
He pretended _____ (read) when his boss walked in.
_____ (not / finish) his homework, he wasn't allowed to go out.
She admitted _____ (make) a mistake in her calculations.
The suspect is believed _____ (leave) the country yesterday.
I resent _____ (tell) what to do all the time.
I don't like _____ (keep) waiting.
She appears _____ (lose) weight recently.
Continue Practising
Continue practising with these related exercises
Gerunds and Infinitives Error Correction
MediumSpot and fix verb-pattern mistakes in complete sentences
20 questions
Common Gerund and Infinitive Verbs
EasyPractise enjoy doing, want to do, finish doing, and decide to do
20 questions
Preposition + Gerund
MediumUse interested in, good at, tired of, and similar patterns
20 questions
-ed vs -ing Adjectives
EasyPractise bored/boring, interested/interesting, and other feeling adjective pairs
60 questions
Conditionals
MediumMaster all types of conditional sentences (zero to third)
330 questions
Present Perfect
MediumLearn to talk about experiences and unfinished time
240 questions