What we're working on: Complex gerund and infinitive patterns with perfect forms and passive voice — so you can speak and write about past actions, passive situations, and sophisticated verb combinations.
Now speak for 60 seconds
Tell me about something you've decided to do, something you avoid doing, or something you've considered. Use whatever verb patterns feel natural.
01:00
Tip: Just speak naturally. There's no "right" answer — I'm listening to hear what patterns you already use.
Patterns: Verb + -ing vs. Verb + to infinitive
Your brain is already recognising when to use -ing and when to use "to". We're now making those patterns VISIBLE and DELIBERATE.
The Core Difference
Verb + -ING
The action is experienced as a process — the act of doing something, or the action itself.
The action is seen as a goal or intention — something you're aiming towards.
Pattern:want, hope, plan, decide, agree, refuse, attempt, manage, afford
+ to + base verb
The Key Verbs (B2 Level)
Verb + -ing
Example
Meaning
admit
She admitted lying to us.
Confess that you did something
avoid
I avoid driving at night.
Stay away from an action
deny
He denied stealing the money.
Say you didn't do something
consider
I'm considering moving to Spain.
Think seriously about an action
involve
This project involvesworking with a team.
Require or include as part of
suggest
I suggest booking tickets early.
Propose or recommend an action
Comparing the Patterns
❌ Common confusion:
"I want learning English." ✗ Incorrect
✓ Correct pattern:
"I want to learn English." ✓ Correct
❌ Common confusion:
"She denied to cheat on the exam." ✗ Incorrect
✓ Correct pattern:
"She denied cheating on the exam." ✓ Correct
Speak: Which pattern feels right?
I'll say a sentence. Tell me which verb pattern it uses — "ing" or "to infinitive" — then give your own example using the same verb.
02:00
What to do: Listen to these sentences. For each one, name the pattern and make your own sentence with the same verb.
Sentence 1: "I've admitted making mistakes before." Sentence 2: "She wants to improve her pronunciation." Sentence 3: "They suggested taking a different route." Sentence 4: "He refused to accept the offer."
Perfect Forms: Talking About the Past
When you talk about an action that happened BEFORE another action in the past, you use perfect gerunds and perfect infinitives.
Perfect Infinitive: to have + done
Use to have + past participle when the infinitive refers to an action BEFORE the main action.
Pattern: I would like to have attended (but I couldn't go) She claims to have seen (in her past)
Simple infinitive
"I'd like to visit Japan." (Future intention)
Perfect infinitive
"I'd like to have visited Japan before retirement." (Regret about past)
Context
Example
Regret / Wish
"I would have liked to have studied languages earlier."
Claim / Allegation
"He claims to have worked for a Fortune 500 company."
Appear / Seem
"She seems to have forgotten the meeting."
Deny
"They denied to have received the invoice."
Perfect Gerund: having + done
Use having + past participle when the gerund refers to a COMPLETED action before another action.
Pattern: Having finished dinner, we watched a film. She regrets having said those harsh words.
Simple gerund
"I enjoy reading books." (General action)
Perfect gerund
"After having read the report, I disagreed." (Completed before main action)
Context
Example
Completion then next action
"Having checked the weather, we decided to stay home."
Regret / Appreciation
"She regrets having left her job too quickly."
After time expression
"After having completed the project, we celebrated."
Deny (past action)
"They denied having stolen the paintings."
Speak: Match simple vs. perfect
I'll read two sentences. Tell me which one uses the perfect form and explain WHY.
02:00
A: "She regrets leaving her job." B: "She regrets having left her job."
(Speak: Which is perfect? When would you use each?)
Passive Voice: to be done / being done
Use passive gerunds and infinitives when the subject receives an action, not performs it.
Passive Infinitive: to be + past participle
Use when the action is done TO someone or something.
Pattern: to be done / to be created / to be asked
Context
Example
Need / Require
"This report needs to be completed by Friday."
Want / Would like
"I'd like to be invited to the wedding."
Appear / Seem
"The painting appears to be stolen."
Deserve / Expect
"He deserves to be recognized for his work."
Passive Gerund: being + past participle
Use when the gerund refers to the SUBJECT receiving an action.
Pattern: being done / being asked / being watched
Context
Example
Avoid
"I avoid being late to meetings."
Risk / Dread
"She dreads being criticized in public."
Deny
"He denied being involved in the scandal."
Admit
"They admitted being responsible for the error."
Active vs. Passive Contrast
Active infinitive
"I want to build a house." (I will do the action)
Passive infinitive
"I want to be built a house." (Someone will build it for me)
Active gerund
"I avoid making mistakes." (I am the one who makes them)
Passive gerund
"I avoid being made to look foolish." (Others make me look foolish)
Speak: Reframe the sentence
I'll give you an active sentence. Reframe it as passive using the passive infinitive or gerund.
02:00
Example:
"I want to finish the project."
→ "I want the project to be finished."
(Now try with the next sentence they give you...)
Speaking Practice: Real Contexts
You've learned the patterns. Now use them in natural, contextual speech.
Scenario 1: A Professional Decision
Imagine you're talking about a major work decision you made. Use these prompts to structure your answer:
Prompts (don't memorise — just speak naturally):
What did you consider doing?
What did you avoid doing?
What would you have liked to have done differently?
What needed to be done to make the decision?
02:00
Your voice: Record yourself or just speak aloud. Aim for 2 minutes.
Scenario 2: A Personal Situation
Think about something you've been thinking about doing (or NOT doing). Use the patterns to explain:
Your task: Spend 2 minutes speaking about:
What have you been considering?
What are you risking by doing it?
What have you admitted to yourself about this?
What would you regret having done (or not done)?
02:00
Scenario 3: Reflection (1 minute)
Finish by answering this one question with ONE sentence:
"If you could go back in time, what would you have liked to have done differently, and why?"
01:00
5-Minute Speaking Challenge
Extended speaking in a natural topic. Use all the patterns you've learned — simple, perfect, passive.
Choose Your Topic
📚
Learning & Skills
A skill you've learned, consider learning, or regret not learning sooner
🏢
Work & Career
A decision you've made, are considering, or would change if you could
✈️
Travel & Adventure
A place you'd like to visit, avoided visiting, or regret not seeing
🤝
Relationships
Something you've considered saying, admitted about, or regret being involved in
What You'll Do
Speak for 5 minutes on your chosen topic. Try to weave in:
At least one "verb + -ing" sentence (admit, avoid, deny, consider, suggest, involve)
At least one perfect infinitive (would have liked to have, seems to have)
At least one perfect gerund (after having done, regret having)
At least one passive form (need to be done, avoid being)
05:00
Remember: You don't need to use patterns perfectly. Speak naturally and let the patterns emerge. The goal is fluency, not accuracy.
Tip: Write a brief note (3-4 keywords) before you start, then speak without reading.
What You Can Now Do
Let's check: Can you use these patterns confidently?
Recall Zone: From Previous Lessons
Without looking anything up, answer these questions. Speak or write naturally.
What's the difference between "I prefer reading" and "I prefer to read"? Give an example of each.Click to see answer
Answer:
Both are acceptable, but "prefer + -ing" focuses on the ACTIVITY (the act of reading). "Prefer + to infinitive" shows a CHOICE between options.
Examples: "I prefer reading to watching TV" (activity focus) vs. "I prefer to read in the morning" (habitual choice).
Name 3 verbs that require -ing (not to infinitive). Use each in a sentence.Click to see answer
Answer (any 3 of these):
• Admit: "She admitted stealing the money."
• Avoid: "We avoid eating too much sugar."
• Deny: "He denied knowing about the plan."
• Enjoy: "I enjoy reading books."
• Suggest: "I suggest leaving early."
What's the difference between "I regret to tell you" and "I regret telling you"?Click to see answer
Answer:
"I regret to tell you" = I'm sorry to HAVE to tell you (formal, about something you're about to say)
"I regret telling you" = I'm sorry I SAID it (you already told them, and now you regret it)
Context: "I regret to tell you that you've failed the exam" vs. "I regret telling you that secret."
Your Learning Checklist
Can you confidently do these? Speak or write to check.
Reflection: What Helped?
Speak for 1 minute. What helped you learn these patterns best?
Seeing the pattern boxes and tables?
Speaking in scenarios and contexts?
Comparing active vs. passive?
Something else?
01:00
You can now: Recognise and use complex gerund and infinitive patterns in natural speech. You understand the difference between process (-ing) and intention (to infinitive). You can talk about past actions using perfect forms. And you can handle passive voice in both forms. These patterns will help your speaking sound more sophisticated and precise at B2 level.