|
|
Active |
Passive |
Indefinite |
To take |
To be taken |
|
Continuous |
To be taking |
|
|
Perfect |
To have taken |
To have been taken |
|
Perfect Continuous |
To have been taking |
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3.1. The Indefinite Infinitive expresses an action simultaneous with the action expressed by the finite verb. So it may refer to the present, past or future.
Roger seemed to know all about it.
3.2. The Continuous (progressive) Infinitive also denotes an action simultaneous with that denoted by the finite verb but it is an action in progress.
It’s nice to be sitting here with you.
3.3. The Perfect Infinitive denotes an action prior to the action expressed by the finite verb
I’m sorry not to have come on Thursday.
We often use perfect infinitives to talk about “unreal” past events: things that did not happen or might not have happened.
You should have told me you were coming.
After such verbs as to mean, expect, intend, hope, in the Past Indefinite, the Perfect Infinitive shows that the hope or intention was not carried out.
I meant to have telephoned but I forgot.(= I had meant to telephone … = I meant to telephone but never did.)
3.4. The Perfect Continuous Infinitive denotes an action which lasted a certain time before the action of the finite verb (and might be still going on).
They seemed to have been getting on a bit better.
3.5. The infinitive of transitive verbs has passive forms which are used when the subject is not the doer of the action expressed by the infinitive but may undergo this action, be acted upon.
I have not come here to be insulted but to talk to you as a friend.
Sometimes active and passive infinitives can have similar meanings, especially after a noun, in sentences with the construction there is.
The people to interview / to be interviewed are in the next room.
Perfect passive infinitives are common.
They were very lucky – they could have been killed.
Continuous passive infinitives are possible but unusual.
“I’d like to be being massaged.”
Perfect Continuous passive infinitives do not normally occur, e.g. “It must have been being built then.”
4.
