C2 · 숙달 챕터 3

Advanced Verb Structures and Agency

5 총 규칙
60 예문
7 분
이 챕터의 규칙 빠른 연습

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Elevate your narrative precision by mastering complex agency and temporal layering in advanced English structures.

  • Command causative structures to describe delegated tasks.
  • Employ impersonal passive forms for objective, professional discourse.
  • Use perfect and passive verb forms to manipulate time and focus.
Mastering the mechanics of sophisticated expression.

배울 내용

Ready to articulate complex timelines with effortless grace? This chapter empowers you to seamlessly weave past actions into your present narrative, like mastering having done, and brilliantly command agency to get things done, transforming your expression into truly C2-level English.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use causative and passive constructions to write professional reports.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Employ perfect and passive gerunds to discuss past events in present contexts.

챕터 가이드

Overview

As you navigate the sophisticated landscape of C2 English, mastering advanced verb structures and understanding agency becomes paramount. This chapter is your key to unlocking truly nuanced and precise expression, empowering you to communicate with the clarity and authority of a native speaker. We’re moving beyond basic sentence construction to explore how you can articulate complex timelines with effortless grace, seamlessly weaving past actions into your present narrative.
Imagine the power of naturally explaining an event that happened before another, or describing what you’ve arranged for someone else to do for you.
This mastery is crucial for any learner aiming for a C2 English grammar level, where precision and stylistic choice distinguish you. You’ll learn to brilliant command agency to get things done, not by doing them yourself, but by orchestrating. We'll delve into structures like the causative, the impersonal passive, and the vital role of perfect gerunds and infinitives in linking past to present.
We’ll also refine your understanding of passive gerunds and infinitives and even explore the sophisticated stylistic tool of splitting infinitives. By the end of this guide, you’ll not just understand these advanced verb structures and agency concepts; you’ll wield them with confidence, transforming your expression into truly C2-level English.

How This Grammar Works

At the heart of these advanced verb structures lies the ability to manipulate perspective, time, and responsibility in your communication. They allow you to add layers of meaning that simple verb forms cannot.
The Causative (have/get something done) is about agency – specifically, when someone else performs an action for you. You are the orchestrator, not the doer. For example, instead of
I fixed my leaky tap,
you might say,
I had my leaky tap fixed by a plumber,
or
I need to get my computer repaired.
This structure shifts focus to the result and the arrangement, perfect for professional or service-oriented contexts.
The Impersonal Passive (It is said that / He is said to) provides objectivity and often distance, especially useful in formal reporting or when you don't want to attribute information directly. It's a way of presenting general consensus or reported information.
It is believed that the company will announce new policies soon.
Or, to speak about an individual:
The CEO is understood to be negotiating the merger personally.
Notice how this often uses infinitives to complete the thought, which can then be combined with perfect infinitives for past actions:
He is said to have resigned last week.
This brings us to Perfect Gerunds and Infinitives (having done / to have done). These structures are crucial for showing an action completed *before* the main verb's action.
She regretted having spoken so harshly.
(First she spoke, then she regretted it).
Or,
He claims to have met the president.
(He claims now about a past meeting). They bring incredible clarity to complex timelines.
Similarly, Passive Gerunds & Infinitives (being done / to be done) maintain the focus on the recipient of the action, but with the added nuance of a gerund or infinitive form.
He dislikes being told what to do.
(Someone tells him).
The report needs to be completed by Friday.
(Someone completes the report).
These allow for professional C2-level precision, keeping the emphasis where it needs to be.
Finally, Splitting Infinitives (to boldly go) is a stylistic choice. While historically debated, it's now widely accepted, especially when it adds clarity, emphasis, or a more natural rhythm to your sentence. Placing an adverb between to and the base verb (e.g.,
to quickly understand
) can make your meaning sharper and less ambiguous.

Common Mistakes

Navigating these advanced structures can be tricky, but recognizing common pitfalls will help you achieve mastery.
  1. 1✗ Confusing causative subject with agent:
✗
I had fixed my hair at the salon yesterday.
(Implies you did it yourself after the arrangement)
✓
I had my hair fixed at the salon yesterday.
(Correctly shows someone else did the action for you.)
*Explanation:* The causative
have/get something done
uses the past participle after the object.
  1. 1✗ Incorrect perfect gerund/infinitive usage for simultaneous actions:
✗
He admitted to steal the money.
✓
He admitted to having stolen the money.
*Explanation:* The perfect infinitive
to have stolen
correctly indicates the stealing happened *before* the admission. If the action is concurrent or habitual, the simple form is used (e.g.,
He likes to steal candy
).
  1. 1✗ Overlooking the impersonal nature of the Impersonal Passive:
✗
The professor is said to be believed that the theory is correct.
✓
It is believed that the theory is correct.
OR
The professor is believed to think the theory is correct.
*Explanation:* The Impersonal Passive focuses on general belief (
It is said
) or attributes a belief to a specific person (
He is said to
). Avoid redundancy by mixing structures.

Real Conversations

A

A

My car made such a weird noise on the way to work. I think I need to get it checked.
B

B

"Oh, really? I had my brakes serviced just last week; perhaps it's something similar. It's said to be a common issue with older models."
A

A

Wow, Maria looks so happy! She must have received some great news.
B

B

"She's actually celebrating having been accepted into her dream university! She's always wanted to boldly pursue that particular course."
A

A

I regret having missed the deadline for the grant application. I really wanted to be considered for that research project.
B

B

"Don't worry, there's always next year. You're clearly passionate about being involved in cutting-edge work."

Quick FAQ

Q

Why are these structures considered C2-level English grammar?

These advanced verb structures and agency concepts are C2 because they demand a deep understanding of nuance, perspective, and precise temporal relationships. They allow for conciseness, formality, and the subtle shifting of focus, which are hallmarks of masterful communication, crucial for sophisticated C2 English grammar.

Q

Can I always split infinitives, or is it still considered wrong by some?

While traditionally some grammarians frowned upon it, splitting infinitives is now widely accepted, especially when it improves clarity, emphasis, or natural rhythm. For instance,

to better understand
is often clearer than
to understand better.
Use it judiciously as a stylistic tool, not merely as a habit.

Q

What’s the main difference between to have done and to do in a sentence?

The perfect infinitive

to have done
refers to an action that occurred *before* the main verb's action (e.g.,
She pretended to have finished her homework
). The simple infinitive
to do
refers to an action that is simultaneous with or after the main verb (e.g.,
She wants to finish her homework
).

Q

When should I use get something done versus have something done?

Both forms of the causative are generally interchangeable.

Get something done
often implies a bit more effort or persuasion on the part of the subject, or is slightly more informal, while
have something done
can feel a little more straightforward or formal.
I got my colleague to help me finish
(persuasion) vs.
I had my car serviced
(standard arrangement).

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use these patterns intuitively to convey precise meaning and tone. The impersonal passive and perfect gerunds/infinitives often appear in more formal contexts like academic writing, news reports, or professional communications, lending an objective or authoritative voice. The causative (
have/get something done
) is incredibly common in everyday speech and business to talk about services.
Splitting infinitives, though historically debated, is now common across all registers when it aids clarity or adds a modern, dynamic rhythm to speech or writing. Regional differences are minimal for these core grammatical structures.

주요 예문 (8)

1

I need to `have my laptop repaired` before my exam.

Necesito que me reparen mi computadora portátil antes de mi examen.

사역동사 마스터하기: 일을 시키다 (have/get something done)
2

She `had her hair styled` for the wedding.

Ella se hizo peinar para la boda.

사역동사 마스터하기: 일을 시키다 (have/get something done)
3

It is said that the new café serves amazing croissants.

Se dice que la nueva cafetería sirve cruasanes increíbles.

비인칭 수동태: ~라고 한다 / ~라고 알려져 있다
4

She is believed to be the top student in her cohort.

Se cree que ella es la mejor estudiante de su promoción.

비인칭 수동태: ~라고 한다 / ~라고 알려져 있다
5

I regret having waited until the last minute to start my assignment.

Lamento haber esperado hasta el último minuto para empezar mi tarea.

완료 동명사와 완료 부정사: 현재에서 과거에 대해 말하기 (having done / to have done)
6

He was accused of having leaked confidential information to competitors.

Fue acusado de haber filtrado información confidencial a la competencia.

완료 동명사와 완료 부정사: 현재에서 과거에 대해 말하기 (having done / to have done)
7

She avoids `being photographed` by paparazzi.

그녀는 파파라치에게 사진 찍히는 것을 피해요.

수동형 동명사 및 부정사 (being done / to be done)
8

The reports need `to be submitted` by Friday.

보고서는 금요일까지 제출되어야 해요.

수동형 동명사 및 부정사 (being done / to be done)

팁과 요령 (4)

💡

The 'Get' Trick

Use 'get' when you want to sound more casual or emphasize that you finally managed to finish a difficult task.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 사역동사 마스터하기: 일을 시키다 (have/get something done)
🎯

The 'That' vs 'To' Rule

If you start with 'It', you MUST use 'that'. If you start with a person or thing, you MUST use 'to'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 비인칭 수동태: ~라고 한다 / ~라고 알려져 있다
🎯

The 'After' Shortcut

If you are confused by 'Having done', try replacing it with 'After doing'. If the meaning stays the same, 'Having done' is likely correct.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 완료 동명사와 완료 부정사: 현재에서 과거에 대해 말하기 (having done / to have done)
💡

앞에 오는 단어를 먼저 확인하세요

빈칸 앞의 동사나 전치사가 힌트예요! 동명사를 쓰는지 부정사를 쓰는지에 따라 'being done'과 'to be done' 중 하나를 고르면 돼요.
He was accused of being bribed.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 수동형 동명사 및 부정사 (being done / to be done)

핵심 어휘 (5)

Delegated entrusted to someone Impersonal not influenced by personal feelings Causative relating to an action performed by someone else Temporal relating to time Infinitive the base form of a verb

Real-World Preview

briefcase

Corporate Strategy Meeting

Review Summary

  • have/get + object + past participle
  • It is said that / He is said to
  • having + past participle / to have + past participle
  • being + past participle / to be + past participle
  • to + adverb + verb

자주 하는 실수

The causative structure requires the past participle, not the base verb.

Wrong: I had the car repair.
정답: I had the car repaired.

When using 'He is said', you must use the infinitive form to connect the subject.

Wrong: He is said he is smart.
정답: He is said to be smart.

The subject of the perfect gerund must be the same as the main clause subject.

Wrong: Having finished the work, it was done.
정답: Having finished the work, I felt relieved.

Next Steps

You have navigated some of the most complex structures in English. Keep pushing boundaries!

Write a professional email using all five structures.

Continue to: Sophisticated Sentence Connections

빠른 연습 (10)

Which sentence is the most formal and appropriate for a news report?

Which sentence is the most formal?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
'It is alleged that' is the standard formal reporting structure for unproven claims.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 비인칭 수동태: ~라고 한다 / ~라고 알려져 있다

가장 자연스러운 부사 위치를 선택하세요.

The manager asked her ___ complete the urgent task.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to quickly
to와 complete 사이에 quickly를 넣으면 업무의 신속함을 즉각적으로 강조하게 되어 가장 자연스럽고 힘 있는 문장이 됩니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 분리 부정사 (대담하게 가다)

Fill in the blanks using the causative form of the verb in parentheses.

I need to ___ my watch ___ (repair).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: have / repaired
The structure is have + object + V3.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 사역동사 마스터하기: 일을 시키다 (have/get something done)

Find the error in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Not to have been invited to the party, she felt very sad.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Not having been invited
When starting a clause to explain a reason, we use a gerund/participle, not an infinitive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 완료 동명사와 완료 부정사: 현재에서 과거에 대해 말하기 (having done / to have done)

명확성을 위해 분리 부정사를 가장 효과적으로 사용한 문장은?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He promised to, at the earliest opportunity, return the borrowed book.
부사구 at the earliest opportunity를 to와 return 사이에 배치하면 동사를 직접 수식하게 되어 문장의 모호함이 사라지고 자연스러워집니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 분리 부정사 (대담하게 가다)

Complete the sentence with the correct infinitive form: 'The thief is believed ___ the country last night.'

The thief is believed ___ the country last night.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Since the action happened 'last night', we must use the perfect infinitive 'to have left'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 비인칭 수동태: ~라고 한다 / ~라고 알려져 있다

Choose the most natural sentence.

Which of these is correct for a formal report?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The suspect is believed to have left the country.
'Is believed' is followed by the infinitive 'to have left'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 완료 동명사와 완료 부정사: 현재에서 과거에 대해 말하기 (having done / to have done)

어색한 문장을 찾아 올바르게 수정하세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

We aim to make sure entirely that the data is accurate.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We aim to entirely make sure that the data is accurate.
to make sure entirely는 다소 어색하게 들릴 수 있어요. entirely로 부정사를 분리하면 확인 작업의 철저함을 더 매끄럽게 강조할 수 있습니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 분리 부정사 (대담하게 가다)

문장에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

She hopes to give a promotion next month.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She hopes to be given a promotion next month.
'hope'는 부정사를 목적으로 취하는 동사예요. 그녀가 승진을 '받는' 입장이므로 수동형 부정사인 'to be given'으로 고쳐야 해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 수동형 동명사 및 부정사 (being done / to be done)

Find the error in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

She is having painted her house this week.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: having painted
The object 'her house' must come between 'having' and 'painted'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 사역동사 마스터하기: 일을 시키다 (have/get something done)

Score: /10

자주 묻는 질문 (6)

Yes, get is very common in spoken English. It's slightly more informal and often implies that the task was difficult to arrange.
The first is causative (someone else did it). The second is Past Perfect (you did it yourself before another past event).
You can! But 'People say' is informal. In academic or professional writing, using It is said or He is said to makes you sound more objective and authoritative.
They mean the same thing. 'It is said that' focuses on the whole idea, while 'He is said to' focuses on the person. The latter is considered slightly more advanced.
Yes, in most cases. Having finished means the same as After finishing. The perfect form just sounds more formal and emphasizes that the first action is totally complete.
No. I regret to tell you is for the present (giving bad news now). For the past, you must use the gerund: I regret having told you.
이전 챕터
Precision in Nouns and Relationships
다음 챕터
Sophisticated Sentence Connections
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