Nachrichten & Gerüchte: Passiv mit Berichtsverben (Es wird gesagt, dass...)
It is said that...gibst du deinen Berichten einen formelleren und objektiveren Ton. Denk an
formell, objektiv und Gerüchte.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use reporting passives to distance yourself from information, common in news and formal reports to avoid taking personal responsibility for claims.
- Use 'It + passive verb + that-clause' for general statements: 'It is said that he is rich.'
- Use 'Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive' for personal focus: 'He is said to be rich.'
- Use 'to have + past participle' for past actions: 'She is thought to have left.'
Overview
It is said that... (Es wird gesagt, dass...) ist ein Paradebeispiel für das, was wir im Englischen als impersonal passive (unpersönliches Passiv) bezeichnen.man oder den Konjunktiv I (Er sagte, er sei...), um Distanz zu einer Information zu wahren. Im Englischen ist das
man (als one) oft zu steif oder veraltet.Some people in the hallway told me that..., nutzt du das elegante It is rumored that....dummy subject (Scheinsubjekt) it.it hat keine eigene Bedeutung. Es ist ein Platzhalter, genau wie das „Es“ in „Es regnet“. Im Deutschen kennen wir das auch: „Es wird berichtet, dass...“.reporting verbs (Berichtsverben), die jeweils eine andere Nuance transportieren.People believe that the economy is growing und verwandeln ihn in eine unpersönliche, passivische Aussage. Das aktive Subjekt People verschwindet komplett. Übrig bleibt die reine Information, eingeleitet durch die passive Konstruktion.it ist, musst du dir über die Konjugation des Verbs weniger Gedanken machen – es bleibt (fast) immer in der dritten Person Singular. Die Komplexität liegt hier eher in der Wahl des richtigen Zeitpunkts (Tense) und des passenden Verbs, um die richtige Stimmung zu erzeugen.It + to be (konjugiert) + Past Participle (des Berichtsverbs) + that + Nebensatz- 1
It: Das unveränderliche Scheinsubjekt. - 2
to be: Dieses Verb bestimmt die Zeitform. Es zeigt an, *wann* die Behauptung oder das Gerücht existiert.
- Present:
It is...(Es wird aktuell gesagt) - Past:
It was...(Man sagte damals) - Present Perfect:
It has been...(Es wurde schon seit einiger Zeit berichtet) - Future:
It will be...(Man wird wohl sagen)
- 1
Past Participle: Hier nutzt du das Berichtsverb (z.B.said,thought,believed,alleged,understood). - 2
that: Die Konjunktion, die den eigentlichen Inhalt einleitet. (In der C1-Schriftsprache solltest du sie nie weglassen!) - 3
Nebensatz: Hier steht die Information, um die es eigentlich geht. Die Zeitform in diesem Satz richtet sich nach dem logischen Ablauf des Geschehens.
It |People say that he is a genius. | It is said that he is a genius. |Experts believe that the climate is changing. | It is believed that the climate is changing. |The media reported that the deal failed. | It was reported that the deal failed. |Historians have long thought that... | It has long been thought that... |They expect that prices will rise. | It is expected that prices will rise. |allege(behaupten – oft bei unbewiesenen Anschuldigungen)claim(behaupten – oft mit einer gewissen Skepsis des Sprechers)estimate(schätzen – bei Zahlen und Daten)rumor(munkeln – für den Flurfunk)suggest(nahelegen/andeuten)assume(annehmen)
It is said that... glänzen kannst:- 1Akademische Distanz und Objektivität:
It is widely accepted that physical exercise improves mental health. (Es ist weithin anerkannt, dass...)- 1Vermeidung von Verantwortung (Plausible Deniability):
It is thought that the project might be over budget, kritisierst du nicht direkt, sondern gibst eine allgemeine Einschätzung wieder.- 1Berichterstattung über Gerüchte (News & Rumors):
It is alleged that the CEO has resigned. (Es wird behauptet/vorgeworfen, dass der CEO zurückgetreten ist.) Hier schützt das Wort alleged den Journalisten vor Verleumdungsklagen.- 1Allgemeinwissen oder Traditionen ausdrücken:
It is said that lightning never strikes twice in the same place.It is widely believed that...(Sehr sicher)It is generally assumed that...(Die Mehrheit denkt so)It is often said that...(Ein häufiges Klischee)It is strongly suggested that...(Eine dringende Empfehlung)
- 1Der
It says-Fehler:
It says that....It says fast nur, wenn man sich auf einen geschriebenen Text bezieht (z.B. The sign says 'Stop'). Wenn du über Gerüchte oder allgemeine Meinungen sprichst, musst du das Passiv nutzen: It is said that....It says that the company is in trouble.It is said that the company is in trouble.- 1Vergessen von
to be:
It said that the meeting is cancelled. (Das würde bedeuten „Es sagte...“, was keinen Sinn ergibt).It is said that... oder It was said that....- 1Verwechslung mit dem Personal Passive:
It is said that he... und He is said to....It is said that he is rich.(Korrekt: Fokus auf der Nachricht)He is said to be rich.(Korrekt: Fokus auf der Person)It is said him to be rich.(Falsch: Das ist ein grammatikalischer Mix, der nicht existiert!)
- 1Falsche Zeitform bei
it:
It is said. Wenn das Gerücht selbst schon vorbei ist, nutzen wir It was said. Viele Deutsche nutzen hier reflexiv das Präteritum, auch wenn der Glaube heute noch aktuell ist.It is said that) und dem persönlichen Passiv (He is said to) zu verstehen. Beide sind C1-Strukturen, aber sie haben unterschiedliche Schwerpunkte.It is said that...) | Die Information als Ganzes. | It is said that the new iPhone will be expensive. |Subject + be + said to...) | Die Person oder Sache, über die gesprochen wird. | The new iPhone is said to be expensive. |People say that...) | Informell, nennt eine (vage) Gruppe. | People say the new iPhone is expensive. |- Nutze
It is said that, wenn der Nebensatz sehr lang oder komplex ist. Es ist einfacher, die ganze Information ans Ende zu stellen. - Nutze das Personal Passive (
He is said to be), wenn du die Person in den Mittelpunkt rücken willst. Das ist im Journalismus sehr beliebt (z.B.The suspect is believed to be hiding in London).
There anstelle von It. Das geht nur mit bestimmten Verben wie seem, appear oder happen.There is said to be a secret tunnel under the castle. (Hier wird die Existenz von etwas behauptet).It is said that... nicht viel zu formal für WhatsApp oder Chats?I heard that... oder People are saying.... Nutze die Passiv-Struktur in E-Mails, Berichten, Präsentationen oder wenn du über seriöse Themen wie Politik oder Wirtschaft sprichst.It is eaten that... oder It is run that.... Typische Verben sind: say, believe, think, report, know, expect, claim, understand, allege.that immer da stehen?It's said he's rich). Aber auf C1-Niveau, besonders beim Schreiben, ist das that ein wichtiges Signalwort für den Leser und sorgt für eine klare Struktur. Lass es lieber stehen.It is thought und It is believed?It is thought ist etwas neutraler und intellektueller. It is believed impliziert oft eine tiefere Überzeugung oder eine Meinung, die viele Menschen teilen, ohne dass es unbedingt harte Beweise gibt. It is alleged hingegen wird fast nur verwendet, wenn es um Anschuldigungen geht, die noch bewiesen werden müssen.Formation of Reporting Passives
| Structure Type | Formula | Example (Present) | Example (Past Action) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Impersonal
|
It + is/was + V-ed + that...
|
It is said that he is rich.
|
It is said that he was rich.
|
|
Personal
|
Subj + is/was + V-ed + to + V
|
He is said to be rich.
|
He is said to have been rich.
|
|
Continuous
|
Subj + is + V-ed + to be + V-ing
|
He is said to be working.
|
He is said to have been working.
|
|
Passive Inf.
|
Subj + is + V-ed + to be + V-ed
|
He is said to be loved.
|
He is said to have been loved.
|
Meanings
A formal way to report what people say, think, or believe without mentioning the specific source of the information. It creates an objective, journalistic tone.
Impersonal Reporting
Using 'It' as a dummy subject to introduce a general belief or fact.
“It is reported that the CEO has resigned.”
“It was once thought that the Earth was flat.”
Personal Reporting
Focusing on the person or thing being talked about by making them the subject.
“The suspect is believed to be hiding in the woods.”
“She is said to be the best doctor in the city.”
Past Action Reporting
Reporting a past action using a perfect infinitive (to have + past participle).
“He is alleged to have stolen the documents.”
“The company is rumored to have gone bankrupt last month.”
Reference Table
| Funktion | Struktur | Beispiel | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Allgemeine Überzeugung
|
It is + V3 (say/believe) + that clause
|
It is said that practice makes perfect.
|
Allgemein akzeptiert, keine spezifische Quelle.
|
|
Vergangener Bericht
|
It was + V3 (report/expect) + that clause
|
It was reported that the road was closed.
|
Spezifisches Ereignis, das in der Vergangenheit berichtet wurde.
|
|
Andauernde Behauptung
|
It has been + V3 (claim/allege) + that clause
|
It has been claimed that the antique is fake.
|
Behauptung, die kürzlich gemacht wurde oder noch immer gemacht wird.
|
|
Formelle Nachrichten
|
It is + V3 (understand/know) + that clause
|
It is understood that a decision is imminent.
|
Offizielle oder weithin akzeptierte Information.
|
|
Gerücht/Spekulation
|
It is + V3 (rumor/think) + that clause
|
It is rumored that the CEO will resign.
|
Inoffizielle Information, oft unbestätigt.
|
|
Allgemeine Erwartung
|
It is + V3 (expect) + that clause
|
It is expected that prices will rise soon.
|
Erwartetes Ergebnis oder Situation.
|
Formalitätsspektrum
It is rumored that a new model will be released in September. (Tech news)
A new model is expected to come out in September. (Tech news)
They say a new iPhone is coming in September. (Tech news)
Word is a new iPhone drops in Sept. (Tech news)
Passiv mit Berichtsverben: Die 'It is said that...'-Struktur
Schlüsselverben (V3)
- said decir
- believed creer
- reported informar
- known saber
Verwendungen
- Formal News Formelle Nachrichten
- Rumors Gerüchte
- General Beliefs Allgemeine Überzeugungen
Struktur
- It + be (tense) + V3 Es + sein (Zeitform) + V3
- that + clause dass + Nebensatz
'It is said that...' vs. 'People say that...'
Entscheidungshilfe für 'It is said that...'
Möchtest du Informationen ohne eine spezifische Quelle berichten?
Handelt es sich bei der Information um eine allgemeine Überzeugung, ein Gerücht oder einen formellen Bericht?
Liegt der Fokus auf der Information selbst, nicht darauf, wer sie gesagt hat?
Kontexte für 'It is said that...'
Formell
- • Schlagzeilen
- • Wissenschaftliche Arbeiten
- • Offizielle Berichte
Informell
- • Gerüchte verbreiten
- • Allgemeinwissen
- • Lockeres Tratschen
Objektiv
- • Wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse
- • Historische Fakten
- • Öffentliche Meinung
Ausweichend
- • Quellen schützen
- • Verantwortung vermeiden
- • Aussagen abschwächen
Beispiele nach Niveau
People say he is nice.
Gente dice que él es amable.
They say it is cold there.
Dicen que hace frío allí.
My friends say she is a doctor.
Mis amigos dicen que ella es doctora.
Everyone says the food is good.
Todos dicen que la comida es buena.
It is said that he is a hero.
Se dice que él es un héroe.
It is known that water is healthy.
Se sabe que el agua es saludable.
It is thought that they are happy.
Se piensa que ellos son felices.
It is reported that the rain will stop.
Se informa que la lluvia parará.
He is said to be very rich.
Se dice que él es muy rico.
It is believed that the team will win.
Se cree que el equipo ganará.
The movie is thought to be excellent.
Se piensa que la película es excelente.
It was reported that the road was closed.
Se informó que la carretera estaba cerrada.
The company is expected to grow this year.
Se espera que la empresa crezca este año.
It is understood that the meeting is cancelled.
Se entiende que la reunión está cancelada.
She is rumored to have quit her job.
Se rumorea que ella ha dejado su trabajo.
The fossils are believed to be millions of years old.
Se cree que los fósiles tienen millones de años.
The diplomat is alleged to have accepted bribes.
Se alega que el diplomático aceptó sobornos.
It is widely considered that his theory is flawed.
Se considera ampliamente que su teoría tiene fallos.
The suspect is understood to be cooperating with police.
Se entiende que el sospechoso está cooperando con la policía.
The manuscript is thought to have been written in the 14th century.
Se piensa que el manuscrito fue escrito en el siglo XIV.
The Prime Minister is purported to be considering a reshuffle.
Se pretende que el Primer Ministro está considerando una remodelación.
It has long been asserted that economic growth is the only metric of success.
Se ha afirmado durante mucho tiempo que el crecimiento económico es la única métrica del éxito.
The artifact was previously reputed to possess magical properties.
Anteriormente se tenía la reputación de que el artefacto poseía propiedades mágicas.
The virus is now known to have been circulating months before the first official case.
Ahora se sabe que el virus había estado circulando meses antes del primer caso oficial.
Leicht verwechselbar
Learners use 'People say' in formal essays where 'It is said' is required.
Mixing the 'that' clause with the 'to' infinitive.
Using 'to be' for something that happened in the past.
Häufige Fehler
People is said he is rich.
People say he is rich.
It says that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
He is said that he is rich.
He is said to be rich.
He is believed to steal the money yesterday.
He is believed to have stolen the money yesterday.
Satzmuster
It is ___ that ___.
The suspect is ___ to have ___.
___ is widely considered to be ___.
It was once ___ that ___.
Real World Usage
It is reported that the ceasefire has been broken.
The results are thought to be significant.
She is rumored to be getting a promotion.
The suspect is alleged to have used a stolen vehicle.
The city is believed to have been founded in 500 BC.
It is said that the servers are down again.
Vary your verbs
It is alleged that the company misused funds.
Don't confuse 'It' with 'Subject'
It is said that the weather will be good.vs.
He is said to be a good swimmer.
Use for formal distancing
It is understood that the negotiations are ongoing.
Politeness in rumors
Mind your tenses
It was believed that the Earth was flat.
Smart Tips
Switch your 'People say' to 'It is reported that'. It immediately elevates your register.
Always check if you need 'to have'. If the event is over, 'to have' is your best friend.
Try to rewrite it using the subject of the 'that' clause to practice the personal construction.
Use 'widely' or 'generally' to sound even more native-like.
Aussprache
Weak 'to'
In the personal construction, the word 'to' is usually reduced to a schwa /tə/.
Stress on the Reporting Verb
The main stress usually falls on the reporting verb (said, thought, believed) to emphasize the nature of the report.
Falling intonation for facts
It is reported that the king is ↘ dead.
Conveys a serious, final piece of news.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Remember 'It' is for the whole 'that' clause, but 'He' needs a 'to' to reach the verb.
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a news anchor sitting behind a desk. They aren't saying 'I think', they are pointing to a screen that says 'IT IS REPORTED'. The anchor is a shield between you and the raw rumor.
Rhyme
When rumors fly and news is spread, 'It is said' is what is read.
Story
A detective is investigating a crime. He doesn't have proof yet, so he tells his boss, 'The suspect is believed to have fled.' This way, if the suspect is actually still in town, the detective isn't blamed for a false statement—he was just reporting a belief.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write three sentences about a famous celebrity using 'is rumored to', 'is thought to have', and 'it is said that'.
Kulturelle Hinweise
The BBC uses 'It is understood that...' very frequently when they have a reliable source but cannot name them yet.
Using 'It is thought' or 'It has been suggested' is a form of 'hedging'. It makes the writer sound humble and open to other scientific possibilities.
The word 'alleged' is legally required in news reports before a conviction to avoid 'libel' (being sued for lying).
These structures evolved from Latin impersonal passives (e.g., 'dicitur' meaning 'it is said').
Gesprächseinstiege
What is something that is said to be true about your country, but isn't?
Which celebrity is rumored to be the most difficult to work with?
It is often thought that technology makes us lonely. Do you agree?
Is there a place in your city that is said to be haunted?
Tagebuch-Impulse
Häufige Fehler
Test Yourself
It ___ that the new policy will improve efficiency.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesHe is thought ___ (be) the mastermind behind the robbery.
Find and fix the mistake:
It is believed him to have left the country.
People say that the company is losing money. (The company...)
The building is thought ___ in the fire.
You can use the verb 'want' in the 'It is wanted that...' reporting passive structure.
A: Is the new boss nice? B: Well, she ___ very strict.
1. People think he is a spy. 2. People think he was a spy.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesIt ___ that the ancient city holds many undiscovered secrets.
It reported that the meeting was postponed.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Se dice que la lectura amplía la mente.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the subject with its correct continuation:
It is ___ that the company will announce a merger soon.
It is said that dinosaurs was extinct millions of years ago.
Select the appropriate sentence:
Translate: 'Está ampliamente aceptado que el café es adictivo.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
No, only 'reporting verbs' related to thinking (believe, think, consider), saying (say, report, allege), or knowing (know, understand). You can't use verbs like 'eat' or 'run'.
Yes, but 'It is said that' is much more formal and common in writing, while 'They say' is common in spoken English.
Use it when the action you are reporting happened *before* the reporting. For example: 'He is said (now) to have been (past) a soldier.'
To avoid legal trouble. If they say 'He is a thief' before a trial, they can be sued. If they say 'He is the alleged thief', they are just reporting what the police say.
Yes. 'He is not thought to be dangerous' or 'It is not believed that the plan will work.'
Absolutely. It is standard in all varieties of formal English, including American, British, and Australian.
'Thought' is a general belief, while 'considered' often implies a more deliberate opinion or a widely held social view.
Yes, for continuous actions. 'The fugitive is thought to be hiding in the mountains.'
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que...
Spanish lacks the 'Subject + Passive + To-Infinitive' structure.
On dit que...
French prefers active voice with an indefinite subject ('on').
Er soll... sein
German uses a modal verb ('sollen') instead of a passive reporting verb.
...to iwarete iru (〜と言われている)
Japanese word order is reversed, with the rumor coming before the verb.
Yuqal anna... (يُقال أن)
Arabic almost always uses the impersonal 'It' structure, rarely the personal one.
Jushuo... (据说)
Chinese uses a fixed phrase rather than a conjugated passive verb.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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The Simple English
Passiv mit Berichtsverben | Englisch Grammatik C1
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