Said, thought, and believed combine with several infinitive forms: the perfect continuous infinitive, to have been -ing, expresses an ongoing process leading up to the reference time, as in she is thought to have been working on it for months, while the perfect simple infinitive reports a completed action without emphasizing duration.
Grammar Rule
Said/thought/believed combine with several infinitive forms. The perfect continuous infinitive (to have been -ing) expresses an ongoing process leading up to the reference time. The perfect simple infinitive (to have worked) reports a completed action without emphasizing duration. The plain continuous infinitive (to be -ing) refers to an action in progress now. Avoid the continuous form with stative verbs.
To Be Said/Thought/Believed + Perfect and Continuous Infinitives: Rules and Examples
| Infinitive form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| To have been + -ing | ongoing past action with duration | She is thought to have been working on it for months. |
| To have + past participle | completed action, no duration emphasis | She is thought to have worked on the case. |
| To be + -ing | action in progress now | She is thought to be working from home today. |
Remember: Use the perfect continuous infinitive for ongoing past actions with duration, but avoid it with stative verbs.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using the correct infinitive form after said, thought, or believed. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
C1-24 Said/Thought/Believed + Perfect and Continuous Infinitives
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the perfect continuous infinitive express?
An ongoing past action with duration, as in she is thought to have been working on it for months.
What does the perfect simple infinitive express?
A completed action without emphasizing duration, as in she is thought to have worked on the case.
What does the plain continuous infinitive express?
An action in progress now, as in she is thought to be working from home today.
Should the continuous infinitive be used with stative verbs?
No, the continuous form should be avoided with stative verbs.