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Question

Hi everybody, I'm an Italian student and I would like to ask you a little question. While I was studying on an English book, I found this phrase: "If the dentist asks the patient about his/her possible chance of HAVING CONTRACTED hiv infection...........". Well, I think to remember that my English teacher told me that -ing form gives itself the idea of a past action, so according to it the statment should be rephrased as follows: "........possible chance of CONTRACTING......"
The first one sounds more natural in Italian, but I would like to learn correct English rule, grammatically speaking.
could anyone help me? Thank you so much...

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Hi;

You are asking about the present perfect participle.

The perfect verb forms (tenses, participles, infinitives) are constructed using the auxiliary verb have + past participle.
The present perfect tense is used for an action that started in the past and is of interest in the present. It may be completed, but not necessarily. eg:

I have worked here five years.

The participle can be used as an adjective or noun (gerund).
I stay healthy by running 5k every other day.
Running to catch the bus, he tripped and fell.

The present perfect participle is formed by the present participle of have + past participle.

Having sanded the table, he prepared the varnish.(adjective phrase - the sanding phase is complete.)
The dentist asks the patient about the possibility of their having contracted the HIV virus. (gerund phrase, object of preposition. The dentist is concerned that the patient might be HIV-positive - that they have already contracted the disease.)

In contrast, the present participle is for present or future actions:
The possibility of contracting HIV is much higher if you don't practice safe ***.

The present perfect participle can also be formed in the passive voice: having been + past participle"
Having been crowned Miss Universe, Miss Brazil walked down the runway in her beautiful red gown.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much...

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