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Rotter Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Has been or have been

1. He has been awarded a prize for his work on ...

2. He was to have been awarded a prize for his work on ...



In the second sentence, what I want to say is this man refused to accept the award though it was announced officially.

My question is the words 'have been'. I know they are correct.

However, the word 'he' should combine with 'has been'.
I find this odd. Your comments, please.
  

Top answer

In #2 the operative verb is was , in concord with the subject he . To have been is the infinitive perfective of be , here used in a passive construction. )

— Mister Micawber

  • In #2 the operative verb is was , in concord with the subject he .
  • To have been is the infinitive perfective of be , here used in a passive construction.
  • )
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3 Answers
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In #2 the operative verb is was, in concord with the subject he. To have been is the infinitive perfective of be, here used in a passive construction. (To be to + infinitive is a modal idiom and we have it here in the past tense.)
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Thanks Micawber for the reply.


What is the meaning of infinitive perfective?

Be is the verb here.

The infinitive 'to be' behaves as follows:

I am/was ...

You are/were ...

He/She is/was ...

They are/were ...
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The past tense (OK, perfect) form of the infinitive:
to be -> to have been
In passive:
to be awarded -> to have been awarded

Also, search with
perfect infinitive
(top right Search box)
and you'll find many good threads.
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