You probably recognize the present form of the infinitive: TO GO, NOT TO TAKE, etc.:
I was happy TO HELP him repair the car. I was sorry NOT TO SEE you at the meeting.
But sometimes you need a perfect infinitive:
John was pleased TO HAVE MADE such a good impression on the selection committee. He was happy NOT TO HAVE LET them find out he has no qualifications.
And sometimes it is in the passive:
Alan is delighted TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN for the award. I was sorry NOT TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN a second chance.
Infinitives after SEEM and APPEAR
We use the PRESENT infinitive with the verbs SEEM and APPEAR when the action of the infinitive and the verb take place at the same time:
Janet SEEMS TO HAVE plenty to do at work. Steve DIDN'T APPEAR TO KNOW how to use a computer. Does Harry SEEM TO BE WORRIED about something?
We use the PERFECT infinitive when the action of the infinitive has already taken place:
You SEEM TO HAVE ENJOYED your vacation. Welcome back! When I saw Tom he didn't APPEAR TO HAVE LOST any weight. Mrs. Carter didn't SEEM TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED by the bad news.
We sometimes use infinitives to report or to express beliefs:
Present Infinitive Everyone says Bob is the company's best manager. Bob IS SAID TO BE the company's best manager. Smoking IS KNOWN TO DAMAGE your lungs. Last winter was terrible . It was believed TO BE the coldest winter ever. The doctor is said NOT TO PRESSURE patients for payment.
Perfect Infinitive They say that Ben was in business at one time. Ben is said TO HAVE BEEN in business for himself at one time.
The bank robber was thought TO HAVE ROBBED three other banks. Henry is reported TO HAVE WON the lottery. Mrs. Saunders is said TO HAVE BEEN APPOINTED chairman.
So now try the exercise...
Mr. Knowles used to own a business, but he's rumoured __________ some bad investments.
to make
to have made
to be made
to have been made
Smoking is now believed by most people ___________ cancer.
to cause
to have caused
to be caused
to have been caused
Jim Burke is said __________ a lot of important people in the government. He is always invited to the Governer's parties.
to know
to have known
to be known
to have been known
Susy doesn't say much but she seems __________ her new job.
to like
to have liked
to be liked
to have been liked
Steve and Ben had lunch together. They seem _________ over their feud.
to get
to have got
to be got
to have been got
Everything is expensive in France! Prices seem __________ since I was last here.
to double
to have doubled
to be doubled
to have been doubled
I'm going to call the waitress. She seems ___________ a mistake in our bill.
to make
to have made
to be made
to have been made
The profit picture seems ___________ for Milanello fashions Ltd .
to improve
to have improved
to be improved
to have been improved
Our downstairs neighbours appear _____________ away without saying good-bye.
to move
to have moved
to be moved
to have been moved
Our lawyers appear __________ some progress in settling the lawsuit out of court.
to make
to have made
to be made
to have been made
The young actress had never given a speech at Cannes before but she didn't appear __________ nervous.
to be
to have been
to be being
Ben looked pleased with himself, didn't he? His presentation this morning seems_________ a big impression.
to make
to have made
to be making
to have been made
We suspect the fund may be in trouble; some bad investments are rumoured _______.
to make
to have made
to be made
to have been made
Cancer is now believed by most people ___________ by smoking and pollution.
to cause
to have caused
to be caused
to have been caused
The use of certain plants is believed _____________ as long ago as the the Stone Age.
to know
to have known
to be known
to have been known
Susy doesn't say much but she seems __________ in her new job.
to appreciate
to have appreciated
to be appreciated
to have been appreciated
You are drinking a very rare sort of tea. It is _________ practically nowhere these days.
to have
to have had
to be had
to have been had
Employees salaries have stayed pretty much the same over the last year. On the other hand that of the CEO seems __________ over the same period.
to double
to have doubled
to be doubled
to have been doubled
I'm going to call the waitress. A mistake seems ______ in our bill.
to make
to have made
to be made
to have been made
The Queen in particular was seen _____________ by the touching nature of the ceremony.
to move
to have moved
to be moved
to have been moved
Some progress is thought ________ in moving towards a settlement out of court.
to make
to have made
to be made
to have been made
The actor is believed __________ sued by his ex-wife but the case hasn't been heard yet.