B1 Passive & Reported Speech 3 min read Medio

Tense Changes

Use passive reporting structures to sound objective and professional when you don't want to name the source.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

When reporting what is said, use 'det sägs att' or the passive construction to shift focus from the speaker to the information.

  • Use 'Det sägs att...' to report general opinions: Det sägs att han är rik.
  • Use passive verbs with 'att' clauses: Det påstås att projektet är klart.
  • Backshift tenses if the reporting verb is in the past: Det sades att han var rik.
Det + [Passive Verb] + att + [Subject] + [Verb]

Overview

## Overview
In Swedish, when we want to report information without focusing on the person who said it, we use passive reporting structures. This is common in news, academic writing, and professional settings. Instead of saying 'People say that...', we use 'Det sägs att...'.
This shifts the focus to the information itself. It is a hallmark of B1-level Swedish to be able to use these impersonal constructions to sound more objective and sophisticated.
## How to Form It
Formation is straightforward: Start with 'Det' (It), followed by a passive verb (often ending in -s, like 'sägs', 'påstås', 'anses'), followed by 'att' and the clause. For example: 'Det sägs att han är snäll'. If the reporting verb is in the past, the verb in the subordinate clause often shifts to the past tense to match (backshifting).
## When to Use It
Use this in formal emails, news reports, or when discussing rumors. It is perfect for when you want to sound neutral or when the source of the information is irrelevant or unknown. Avoid it in very casual, intimate conversations where naming the source is expected.
## Common Mistakes
A common mistake is forgetting the 's' on the passive verb or using an active verb when a passive one is required. Another error is failing to backshift the tense in the subordinate clause when the main verb is in the past. Example: 'Det sades att han är sjuk' (Wrong) -> 'Det sades att han var sjuk' (Correct).
## How It's Different From...
It is different from direct speech (e.g., 'Han sa: Jag är trött') because it removes the direct quote and the specific speaker. It is also different from active reporting (e.g., 'Folk säger att...') because it is more formal and impersonal.
## CEFR-Level Explanations
A1: When you want to say what people say, use 'Det sägs att'. It is like saying 'It is said that'. It is very useful for news.
A2: You can use passive verbs like 'sägs' or 'påstås'. These help you talk about rumors or news without saying who told you. Remember to use 'att' after the verb.
B1: At this level, you should master the backshifting rule. If the main verb is in the past (e.g., 'Det sades'), the verb in the 'att' clause must also be in the past. This creates a consistent timeline in your reporting.
B2: Passive reporting structures are essential for professional and academic registers. You should be able to distinguish between 'Det sägs' (general hearsay) and 'Det anses' (general opinion/belief). Understand how these structures facilitate objective discourse in formal Swedish.
C1: Advanced learners utilize these structures to maintain a detached, journalistic tone. You should be comfortable with various passive verbs like 'förväntas', 'befaras', and 'uppges'. Note the nuance in how these verbs imply different levels of certainty or evidence.
C2: Mastery involves understanding the subtle interplay between passive reporting and modal auxiliaries. You can manipulate these structures to express varying degrees of epistemic modality, effectively navigating complex social and political contexts where source attribution is sensitive.

Meanings

This structure allows you to report information, rumors, or general beliefs without specifying who provided the information, often used in journalism or formal reports.

1

General hearsay

Reporting common knowledge or rumors.

“Det sägs att det ska regna imorgon.”

“Det påstås att de har flyttat.”

Passive Reporting Verbs

Infinitive Present Passive Past Passive Meaning
säga sägs sades is said
påstå påstås påstods is claimed
anse anses ansågs is considered
rykta ryktas ryktades is rumored
förvänta förväntas förväntades is expected
anta antas antogs is assumed

Reference Table

Reference table for Tense Changes
Form Structure Example
Affirmative Det + [passive] + att + [clause] Det sägs att han är snäll.
Past Det + [passive-past] + att + [past-clause] Det sades att han var snäll.
Negative Det + [passive] + inte + att + [clause] Det sägs inte att han är snäll.
Question Sägs det att + [clause]? Sägs det att han är snäll?
Perfect Det + har + [passive-participle] + att + [clause] Det har sagts att han är snäll.
Future Det + kommer + att + [passive-infinitive] + att + [clause] Det kommer att sägas att han är snäll.

Espectro de formalidad

Formal
Det påstås att han är förmögen.

Det påstås att han är förmögen. (Discussing a neighbor's wealth.)

Neutral
Det sägs att han är rik.

Det sägs att han är rik. (Discussing a neighbor's wealth.)

Informal
Folk säger att han har massor av pengar.

Folk säger att han har massor av pengar. (Discussing a neighbor's wealth.)

Jerga
Det snackas om att han är stenrik.

Det snackas om att han är stenrik. (Discussing a neighbor's wealth.)

Passive Reporting Structure

Det

Passive Verb

  • sägs is said
  • påstås is claimed

Connector

  • att that

Clause

  • han är glad he is happy
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Examples by Level

1

Det sägs att han är snäll.

It is said that he is kind.

2

Det sägs att det är kallt.

It is said that it is cold.

3

Det sägs att de kommer.

It is said that they are coming.

4

Det sägs att hon bor här.

It is said that she lives here.

1

Det påstås att han är rik.

It is claimed that he is rich.

2

Det anses att det är bra.

It is considered that it is good.

3

Det sägs att de har flyttat.

It is said that they have moved.

4

Det sägs att det blir fest.

It is said that there will be a party.

1

Det sades att han var sjuk.

It was said that he was sick.

2

Det påstods att de var klara.

It was claimed that they were finished.

3

Det anses att han har rätt.

It is considered that he is right.

4

Det ryktas att de ska gifta sig.

It is rumored that they will marry.

1

Det förväntas att alla deltar.

It is expected that everyone participates.

2

Det befarades att det skulle regna.

It was feared that it would rain.

3

Det uppges att tre personer skadades.

It is reported that three people were injured.

4

Det anses allmänt att det är fel.

It is generally considered that it is wrong.

1

Det har påståtts att han var inblandad.

It has been claimed that he was involved.

2

Det antas att lösningen är enkel.

It is assumed that the solution is simple.

3

Det har ryktats att företaget säljs.

It has been rumored that the company is being sold.

4

Det anses att strategin bör ändras.

It is considered that the strategy should be changed.

1

Det har länge ansetts att teorin är korrekt.

It has long been considered that the theory is correct.

2

Det uppges ha funnits brister i rutinen.

It is reported to have had flaws in the routine.

3

Det förväntas att beslutet fattas idag.

It is expected that the decision is made today.

4

Det påstås ha varit en olyckshändelse.

It is claimed to have been an accident.

Easily Confused

Tense Changes vs Active vs Passive Reporting

Learners mix up 'Folk säger' (active) and 'Det sägs' (passive).

Tense Changes vs Backshifting

Learners don't know when to change the tense in the subordinate clause.

Tense Changes vs Att vs Att-clause

Learners confuse 'att' (that) with 'att' (infinitive marker).

Errores comunes

✗

Det säger att han är snäll.

✓

Det sägs att han är snäll.

Must use passive form.
✗

Det sägs han är snäll.

✓

Det sägs att han är snäll.

Need 'att' connector.
✗

Det sägs att han var snäll (when reporting present).

✓

Det sägs att han är snäll.

No backshifting needed for present.
✗

Det sades att han är sjuk.

✓

Det sades att han var sjuk.

Must backshift if main verb is past.
✗

Det anses att han har gjort fel.

✓

Det anses att han har begått ett fel.

Collocation issue.
✗

Det påstås att han skulle ha gjort det.

✓

Det påstås att han gjorde det.

Overcomplicating the tense.
✗

Det ryktas att han har sett i går.

✓

Det ryktas att han sågs i går.

Passive in subordinate clause needed.

Sentence Patterns

Det ___ att ___.

Det ___ att ___ var ___.

Det ___ att ___ har ___.

Det har ___ att ___.

Real World Usage

News report constant

Det uppges att vägarna är avstängda.

Office gossip very common

Det sägs att vi får en ny chef.

Social media common

Det ryktas att de har gjort slut.

Academic paper common

Det anses att resultaten är signifikanta.

Travel advice occasional

Det rekommenderas att man bokar i förväg.

Food delivery app occasional

Det förväntas att leveransen tar 30 minuter.

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💡

Use 'Det sägs' for rumors

When you hear something but aren't sure if it's true, 'Det sägs' is your best friend.
⚠️

Don't forget the -s

Always check that your reporting verb ends in -s. 'Det säger' is wrong!
🎯

Backshift in the past

If you start with 'Det sades', make sure the rest of the sentence is in the past tense.
💬

Stay objective

Use these structures to sound professional and avoid taking personal blame for the information.

Smart Tips

Always check if your main verb is past. If yes, backshift the subordinate verb.

Det sades att han är sjuk. → Det sades att han var sjuk.

Use 'Det anses' or 'Det förväntas' instead of 'Det sägs'.

Det sägs att vi måste jobba mer. → Det förväntas att vi jobbar mer.

Use 'Det ryktas' to distance yourself from the information.

Han ska sluta. → Det ryktas att han ska sluta.

Use passive reporting to keep the focus on the data, not the people.

Folk säger att siffrorna är fel. → Det påstås att siffrorna är felaktiga.

Pronunciación

sägs -> /sɛːs/

Passive -s

The 's' at the end of passive verbs is pronounced as a soft 's'.

Reporting tone

Det sägs att... (rising on 'Det', falling on 'att')

Signals the start of a reported statement.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Det' as a mysterious ghost who is always talking, but you never see his face.

Visual Association

Imagine a newspaper floating in the air with no one holding it. The headlines are writing themselves.

Rhyme

Det sägs att, det påstås att, det är så vi pratar fatt.

Story

In a quiet village, rumors float. 'Det sägs att' a dragon lives in the cave. Everyone repeats it, but no one saw the dragon. The passive structure keeps the mystery alive.

Word Web

sägspåståsansesryktasattdet

Desafío

Write three sentences about your city using 'Det sägs att', 'Det påstås att', and 'Det anses att'.

Notas culturales

Swedish journalists use these passive structures to maintain a neutral, objective tone, avoiding personal bias.

In Swedish offices, using passive reporting is a way to give feedback without sounding aggressive.

In smaller communities, 'Det sägs' is the classic way to start a rumor without taking responsibility.

The construction comes from Old Swedish passive forms using the -s suffix, which was originally a reflexive pronoun.

Conversation Starters

“

Vad sägs det om vädret?

“

Vad anses vara viktigt i Sverige?

“

Vad påstås det om den nya filmen?

“

Vad ryktas det om på jobbet?

Journal Prompts

Write about a rumor you heard recently.
Discuss a common opinion about your home country.
Report on a recent event using passive structures.
Write a formal report on a project.
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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct passive verb form.

Det ___ att han är snäll.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sägs
Present passive is needed.
Choose the correct sentence. Opción múltiple

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Det sades att han var glad.
Past tense requires backshifting.
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Det påstås att han har flyttade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Det påstås att han har flyttat.
Perfect tense needs participle.
Change to passive reporting. Sentence Transformation

Folk säger att det regnar. -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Det sägs att det regnar.
Keep the tense consistent.
Match the verb to its meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is said, is claimed, is considered
Correct definitions.
Choose the correct connector. Opción múltiple

Det sägs ___ han är snäll.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: att
Always use 'att'.
Order the words. Sentence Building

att / sägs / det / han / snäll / är

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Det sägs att han är snäll.
Correct word order.
Fill in the past passive.

Det ___ att han var sjuk.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sades
Past tense needed.

Score: /8

Ejercicios de practica

8 exercises
Fill in the correct passive verb form.

Det ___ att han är snäll.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sägs
Present passive is needed.
Choose the correct sentence. Opción múltiple

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Det sades att han var glad.
Past tense requires backshifting.
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Det påstås att han har flyttade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Det påstås att han har flyttat.
Perfect tense needs participle.
Change to passive reporting. Sentence Transformation

Folk säger att det regnar. -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Det sägs att det regnar.
Keep the tense consistent.
Match the verb to its meaning. Match Pairs

Match: sägs, påstås, anses

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is said, is claimed, is considered
Correct definitions.
Choose the correct connector. Opción múltiple

Det sägs ___ han är snäll.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: att
Always use 'att'.
Order the words. Sentence Building

att / sägs / det / han / snäll / är

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Det sägs att han är snäll.
Correct word order.
Fill in the past passive.

Det ___ att han var sjuk.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sades
Past tense needed.

Score: /8

Preguntas frecuentes (8)

It's very versatile, but 'Det anses' is better for opinions and 'Det påstås' for claims.

The -s makes the verb passive. Without it, the sentence doesn't make sense.

It's neutral. It's used in both news and casual conversation.

That's exactly when you use this structure!

Yes, if the reporting verb is in the past, the subordinate verb must match.

Yes, it's great for professional, objective reporting.

Because 'säger' is active. You need the passive 'sägs'.

Det sägs att han var där.

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In Other Languages

German high

Es wird gesagt, dass...

German requires a comma before 'dass', Swedish does not.

French moderate

On dit que...

French uses an active pronoun 'on' while Swedish uses a passive verb.

Spanish high

Se dice que...

Spanish 'se' is a separate word, Swedish -s is a suffix.

Japanese moderate

〜と言われている

Japanese places the reporting verb at the end of the sentence.

Arabic high

يُقال أن

Arabic passive is formed by changing vowel patterns, not adding a suffix.

Chinese moderate

据说...

Chinese does not use a passive verb suffix; it uses a fixed phrase.

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Reported Speech
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Pronoun Changes

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