to have been vs. to be following past tense

Question

Which of the following sentences is correct:

I was fortunate to have been selected for an award.

OR

I was fortunate to be selected for an award.

To be clear both event happened in the past, that is: I was fortunate 2 years ago when I was selected for the award...
Thank you!
Ferenc

Ram Pillai · Answer

Both 'to have been selected' and 'to be selected' are in passive forms of Perfect Infinitive, and 'Indefinite infinitive (for progressive infinitive also the passive is same.)

To select/ to be selecting A.V.- to be selected P.V.

to have selected/ to have been selecting AV - to have been selected P.V.

Infinitive are non-finite with no tenses being attached. However, it follows the pattern "He eats.../ He is eating.../ He has eaten.../ He has been eating, which in PV will be (take any object), is eaten/ is being eaten/ has been eaten/ has been eaten (The last two are similar)

Meaning-wise, they sound similar, and they are.

to have been vs. to be following past tense

One Answer

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question