IMPERSONAL /PERSONAL PASSIVE

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ESL forum > Ask for help > IMPERSONAL /PERSONAL PASSIVE

IMPERSONAL /PERSONAL PASSIVE

curk

IMPERSONAL /PERSONAL PASSIVE

    I have a doubt when we turn into passive when the reported verb is in past tense.

     Should we use the perfect infinitive or just the simple infinitive when the reported verb is in past :

     People believed the he had donated all his fortune to charities

    He was believed to donate all his fortune to charities OR
    He was believed to have donated all his fortune to charities

4 Feb 2014

rosanaingles

I think the second one is right because the sentence is in the past, so you must use the perfect infinitive. The simple infinitive is used to express present and future tenses.

I hope it helps.

Have a nice week!

4 Feb 2014

pilarnavarro