8. Gerunds and infinitives complex forms

perfect

We use the … infinitive or … gerund to emphasize that the action is complete or in the past, although there is usually no difference.

He denied stealing the money.

He / denied / steal / the money.

(simple gerund)

(It’s clear the money was stolen before denying it.)

He denied having stolen the money.

He / denied / steal / the money.

(perfect gerund)

She regretted marrying too early.

She / regretted / marry / too early.

(simple gerund)

(It’s clear she married before regretting it.)

She regretted having married too early.

She / regretted / marry / too early.

(perfect gerund)

He denied being married.

He / denied / being / married.

(simple gerund)

(He denied that he was married now at the time of denial.)

He denied having been married.

He / denied / being / married.

(perfect gerund)

(He denied that he had been married before, in the past.)

It was stupid of me to say anything on Twitter.

It / was stupid of me / say / anything on Twitter.

(simple infinitive)

It was stupid of me to have said anything on Twitter.

It / was stupid of me / say / anything on Twitter.

(perfect infinitive)

I’m very glad to work here.

I’m very glad / work / here.

(simple infinitive) now

I’m very glad to have worked here.

I’m very glad / work / here.

(perfect infinitive) in the past

I’m glad to be spending this weekend with you.

I’m glad / spend / this weekend with you.

(continuous infinitive) in progress

You shouldn’t be doing this right now, should you?

You shouldn’t / do / this right now, should you?

(continuous infinitive) in progress

I’m glad to have been sharing my life with you.

I’m glad / share / my life with you.

(perfect continuous infinitive) duration from earlier

They are thought to have been hiding in the mountains.

They are thought / hide / in the mountains.

(perfect continuous infinitive) duration from earlier