B1 Passive & Reported Speech 14 min read متوسط

حالت مجهول برای عینیت: 'گفته می شود که...'

با passive رسمی، می‌تونی اطلاعات رو objective و professional بگی، بدون اینکه بگی کی گفته.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'It is said that...' to report general beliefs, news, or rumors objectively without naming a specific person.

  • Start with the 'dummy' subject 'It' followed by 'is' and a past participle: 'It is believed...'
  • Connect your main idea using the word 'that': 'It is thought that...'
  • Follow 'that' with a full sentence: 'It is rumored that the shop is closing.'
It + is/was + [Verb]ed + that + [Sentence]

مرور کلی

آیا تا به حال فکر کرده‌اید که چرا گزارشگران اخبار اینقدر جدی به نظر می‌رسند؟ آن‌ها به ندرت می‌گویند «فکر می‌کنم این اتفاق افتاده است». در عوض می‌گویند «گزارش شده است که این اتفاق افتاده است».
این همان حالت مجهول برای عینیت (objectivity) است. این کار مثل پوشاندن کت و شلوار و کراوات به جملات شماست. زمانی از آن استفاده می‌کنید که می‌خواهید حرفه‌ای به نظر برسید.
زمانی از آن استفاده می‌کنید که می‌خواهید درباره حقایق صحبت کنید. زمانی از آن استفاده می‌کنید که می‌خواهید شایعه‌ای را بدون گفتن اینکه چه کسی آن را به شما گفته، به اشتراک بگذارید. در دنیای رسانه‌های اجتماعی، این تفاوت بین «یک شایعه شنیدم» و «شایعه شده است که» است.
این کار باعث می‌شود کلمات شما بیشتر شبیه به یک حقیقت به نظر برسند تا یک نظر شخصی. حتی در سطح A1، می‌توانید استفاده از این عبارات کوتاه را شروع کنید. آن‌ها به شما کمک می‌کنند در ایمیل‌ها یا هنگام ارائه‌ها هوشمند به نظر برسید.
به آن مثل صدای «گوینده خبر» خود فکر کنید. این صدا آرام، خونسرد است و روی خبر تمرکز می‌کند، نه روی شخص. علاوه بر این، راهی عالی برای فرار از سرزنش است!
اگر پیتزا دیر رسید، می‌توانید بگویید «پیتزا با تأخیر مواجه شد». این خیلی بهتر از «پیک موتوری گم شد» به نظر می‌رسد.

این گرامر چطور کار می‌کنه

در یک جمله معمولی، شخصی که عمل را انجام می‌دهد ستاره جمله است. ما به این حالت «معلوم» می‌گوییم. برای مثال: «مردم می‌گویند فیلم خوبی است».
در اینجا، «مردم» ستاره هستند. اما در حالت مجهول برای عینیت، عمل یا ایده ستاره است. ما آن را به این صورت تغییر می‌دهیم: «گفته می‌شود که فیلم خوبی است».
حالا تمرکز روی کیفیت فیلم است. ما از یک فرمول خاص با کلمه it استفاده می‌کنیم. این it در واقع معنای خاصی ندارد.
فقط یک جایگزین است. به ما کمک می‌کند جمله را بدون حضور یک شخص شروع کنیم. سپس از is و شکل خاصی از فعل به نام «قسمت سوم فعل» (past participle) استفاده می‌کنیم.
برای اکثر افعال، این حالت فقط به -ed ختم می‌شود. برای مثال، say می‌شود said و report می‌شود reported. این مثل ساختن یک برج لگو است.
شما به پایه it ، آجر is و نوک said نیاز دارید. وقتی این برج را ساختید، می‌توانید هر خبری را که می‌خواهید به آن اضافه کنید. این برای صحبت درباره سریال‌های نتفلیکس که همه می‌بینند عالی است.
می‌توانید بگویید: «گفته می‌شود فصل جدید فوق‌العاده است».

الگوی ساخت

1
با کلمه it شروع کنید. این فاعل «فرضی» شماست.
2
فعل کمکی is را اضافه کنید. در این الگو، معمولاً در زمان حال می‌مانیم.
3
از قسمت سوم یک فعل «گزارشی» استفاده کنید. افعال رایج عبارتند از say, think, believe یا report. این‌ها به said, thought, believed و reported تبدیل می‌شوند.
4
کلمه that را برای وصل کردن ایده خود اضافه کنید.
5
جمله را با ایده یا خبری که گزارش می‌دهید تمام کنید.
6
ساختار: It + is + Past Participle + that + [جمله]
7
جدول مثال:
8
حالت | مثال | ترجمه
9
It is said | It is said that Paris is beautiful. | گفته می‌شود که پاریس زیباست.
10
It is thought | It is thought that he is rich. | تصور می‌شود که او ثروتمند است.
11
It is believed | It is believed that cats are smart. | باور بر این است که گربه‌ها باهوش هستند.
12
It is reported | It is reported that the game is over. | گزارش شده است که بازی تمام شده است.

کی استفاده کنیم

زمانی که می‌خواهید عینی به نظر برسید باید از این الگو استفاده کنید. عینی یعنی شما طرف کسی را نمی‌گیرید. این برای نوشتن گزارش برای مدرسه یا کار عالی است.
همچنین می‌توانید هنگام صحبت درباره دانش عمومی از آن استفاده کنید. برای مثال، «دانسته شده است که آب در ۱۰۰ درجه می‌جوشد». این در اخبار یا روزنامه‌ها بسیار رایج است.
اگر خبرنگاری ۱۰۰٪ مطمئن نباشد، از این حالت استفاده می‌کند تا در حاشیه امن بماند. در زندگی روزمره، می‌توانید از آن برای صحبت درباره ترندهای وایرال استفاده کنید. «گفته می‌شود این رقص تیک‌تاک سخت است».
همچنین وقتی نمی‌دانید چه کسی چیزی را گفته است، مفید است. اگر همه در دفتر کار درباره رئیس جدید صحبت می‌کنند، می‌توانید بگویید: «باور بر این است که رئیس جدید مهربان است». این خیلی حرفه‌ای‌تر از «دوستم کنار دستگاه قهوه به من گفت» به نظر می‌رسد.

اشتباهات رایج

رایج‌ترین اشتباه، فراموش کردن کلمه is است. بسیاری از مردم به جای «It is said that...» می‌گویند «It said that...». بدون is جمله ناقص به نظر می‌رسد. مثل ماشینی بدون چرخ است! اشتباه دیگر استفاده از شکل اشتباه فعل است. به یاد داشته باشید، شما به قسمت سوم فعل نیاز دارید. نگویید «It is say that...» یا «It is think that...». شما باید از said و thought استفاده کنید. همچنین کلمه that را فراموش نکنید. هرچند گاهی در صحبت‌های دوستانه می‌توانید آن را حذف کنید، اما برای عینیت بهتر است آن را حفظ کنید. در نهایت، از این حالت برای احساسات شخصی خود استفاده نکنید. اگر بستنی دوست دارید، نگویید «باور بر این است که من بستنی دوست دارم». اینطوری به نظر می‌رسد که شما یک آزمایش علمی هستید! فقط بگویید «من بستنی دوست دارم». از این الگو فقط برای نظرات عمومی یا حقایق استفاده کنید.

مقایسه با الگوهای مشابه

شاید حالت مجهول معمولی را بشناسید، مثل «پنجره شکسته شد». این شبیه است چون از be + قسمت سوم فعل استفاده می‌کند. با این حال، مجهول عینی متفاوت است چون از it استفاده می‌کند.
در «پنجره شکسته شد»، ما می‌دانیم چه چیزی شکسته شده است. در «گفته می‌شود که...»، کلمه it نماینده یک ایده کامل است. همچنین آن را با «مردم می‌گویند...» یا «آن‌ها می‌گویند...» مقایسه کنید.
این‌ها معلوم و بسیار خودمانی هستند. اگر به دوستی پیام می‌دهید، «می‌گویند قرار است باران ببارد» عالی است. اما اگر در حال نوشتن گزارش هواشناسی هستید، «گزارش شده است که باران خواهد بارید» بسیار بهتر است.
یکی برای روی کاناپه است، دیگری برای دفتر کار. هر دو معنای یکسانی دارند، اما حس متفاوتی دارند. یکی هودی است، دیگری کت رسمی.
وقتی می‌خواهید تاثیرگذار باشید، کت رسمی را انتخاب کنید!

سؤالات رایج

س: آیا می‌توانم از زمان‌های دیگر مثل «It was said» استفاده کنم؟
پ: بله! اگر درباره گذشته صحبت می‌کنید از was استفاده کنید. «باور بر این بود که زمین صاف است».
س: آیا این فقط برای نوشتن رسمی است؟
پ: عمدتاً، اما می‌توانید برای شوخی یا دراماتیک به نظر رسیدن با دوستان هم از آن استفاده کنید!
س: رایج‌ترین افعال برای این کار کدامند؟
پ: «چهار بزرگ» عبارتند از said, thought, believed و reported.
س: آیا it به یک شخص اشاره دارد؟
پ: نه، این فقط یک فاعل «فرضی» برای کمک به کارکرد گرامر است.
س: آیا می‌توانم بگویم «It is told that...»؟
پ: نه واقعاً. ما معمولاً در این الگو به جای told از said یا reported استفاده می‌کنیم.
س: آیا برای یادگیرندگان سطح A1 مناسب است؟
پ: کاملاً! این یک عبارت عالی برای حفظ کردن و استفاده است تا بلافاصله پیشرفته‌تر به نظر برسید.

Common Reporting Verbs in the Impersonal Passive

Tense Structure Example Verb Full Example
Present Simple
It is + V3
say
It is said that...
Past Simple
It was + V3
think
It was thought that...
Present Perfect
It has been + V3
report
It has been reported that...
Future Simple
It will be + V3
expect
It will be expected that...
Present Continuous
It is being + V3
rumor
It is being rumored that...
Past Perfect
It had been + V3
believe
It had been believed that...

Contractions

Full Form Contraction Usage Note
It is said
It's said
Common in speech, rare in formal writing.
It was said
N/A
We rarely contract 'It was' in this structure.
It has been said
It's been said
Very common in spoken English.

Meanings

A formal structure used to report information, opinions, or beliefs when the specific source is unknown, unimportant, or general.

1

General Belief

Reporting what is widely accepted as true by society or a large group.

“It is believed that the pyramids were built by thousands of workers.”

“It is thought that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

2

News & Formal Reporting

Reporting facts or events where the journalist wants to remain objective.

“It is reported that the two companies are planning a merger.”

“It is alleged that the suspect fled the scene in a red car.”

3

Rumors & Speculation

Sharing unconfirmed information without taking personal responsibility for its truth.

“It is rumored that they are getting a divorce.”

“It is whispered that the house is haunted.”

Reference Table

Reference table for حالت مجهول برای عینیت: 'گفته می شود که...'
عبارت شروع معنی فعل سناریوی مثال حس جمله
It is said that...
شایعه / باور عمومی
Talking about a famous city
خنثی / عمومی
It is thought that...
نظر / تئوری
Discussing a new technology
فکری
It is believed that...
باور قوی‌تر
Talking about history
رسمی
It is reported that...
اخبار یا اطلاعات
Sharing a news headline
حرفه‌ای
It is expected that...
پیش‌بینی آینده
Weather or flight updates
اداری
It is known that...
واقعیت اثبات شده
Science or math rules
واقعی

طیف رسمیت

رسمی
It is widely believed that the corporation is facing insolvency.

It is widely believed that the corporation is facing insolvency. (Business news)

خنثی
It is thought that the company is going out of business.

It is thought that the company is going out of business. (Business news)

غیر رسمی
It's said that the shop is closing down.

It's said that the shop is closing down. (Business news)

عامیانه
Word is the place is toast.

Word is the place is toast. (Business news)

Common Reporting Verbs

It is [Verb] that...

Thoughts

  • thought thought
  • believed believed
  • considered considered

Speech

  • said said
  • reported reported
  • claimed claimed

Active vs. Impersonal Passive

Active (Personal)
People say... Focus on the people.
Passive (Impersonal)
It is said that... Focus on the information.

Is it an Impersonal Passive?

1

Does it start with 'It'?

YES
Go to next step
NO
Not impersonal passive
2

Is there a 'be' verb + V3?

YES
Go to next step
NO
Not passive
3

Is there a 'that' clause?

YES
It is an Impersonal Passive!
NO
Might be a personal passive

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

It is said that he is a good doctor.

Se dice que es un buen médico.

2

It is thought that today is a holiday.

Se piensa que hoy es festivo.

3

It is known that water is important.

Se sabe que el agua es importante.

4

It is believed that they are happy.

Se cree que son felices.

1

It was said that the movie was boring.

Se decía que la película era aburrida.

2

It is reported that the train is late.

Se informa que el tren llega tarde.

3

It is expected that the weather will be nice.

Se espera que el tiempo sea agradable.

4

It is not thought that he will win.

No se piensa que vaya a ganar.

1

It is rumored that the CEO is resigning.

Se rumorea que el director general va a dimitir.

2

It is widely believed that the economy is improving.

Se cree ampliamente que la economía está mejorando.

3

It is estimated that the project will cost millions.

Se estima que el proyecto costará millones.

4

It is suggested that we start the meeting early.

Se sugiere que empecemos la reunión temprano.

1

It has been argued that social media is addictive.

Se ha argumentado que las redes sociales son adictivas.

2

It is often claimed that money cannot buy happiness.

A menudo se afirma que el dinero no puede comprar la felicidad.

3

It is alleged that the company avoided paying taxes.

Se alega que la empresa evitó pagar impuestos.

4

It is understood that the two parties have reached an agreement.

Se entiende que las dos partes han llegado a un acuerdo.

1

It is postulated that the universe is constantly expanding.

Se postula que el universo está en constante expansión.

2

It is commonly surmised that the author wrote the book in exile.

Comúnmente se conjetura que el autor escribió el libro en el exilio.

3

It is feared that the conflict could escalate further.

Se teme que el conflicto pueda escalar más.

4

It is acknowledged that the previous policy was a failure.

Se reconoce que la política anterior fue un fracaso.

1

It is widely contended that the socio-economic ramifications were underestimated.

Se sostiene ampliamente que se subestimaron las ramificaciones socioeconómicas.

2

It is tentatively suggested that the findings may be biased.

Se sugiere tentativamente que los hallazgos pueden estar sesgados.

3

It is frequently asserted that the traditional family structure is evolving.

Se afirma con frecuencia que la estructura familiar tradicional está evolucionando.

4

It is rumored, albeit without substantial evidence, that the treaty will be vetoed.

Se rumorea, aunque sin pruebas sustanciales, que el tratado será vetado.

به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

Passive Voice for Objectivity: 'It is said that...' در مقابل It is said that vs. He is said to

Learners mix the 'that' clause with the 'to' infinitive.

Passive Voice for Objectivity: 'It is said that...' در مقابل It says vs. It is said

Using active voice for general rumors.

اشتباهات رایج

Is said that he is nice.

It is said that he is nice.

You cannot drop the subject 'It' in English.

It says that he is nice.

It is said that he is nice.

Use the passive 'is said' for general reporting, not the active 'says'.

It is say that the rain will stop.

It is said that the rain will stop.

You must use the past participle (V3), not the base form.

It is thought the movie is good.

It is thought that the movie is good.

While 'that' can sometimes be dropped in speech, it is better to include it for this formal structure.

It is believed him to be rich.

It is believed that he is rich.

Don't mix the 'It' structure with the 'to-infinitive' structure.

It was reported that the fire starts at 10.

It was reported that the fire started at 10.

Ensure the tense in the 'that' clause matches the context of the reporting.

It is alleged the suspect to have stolen the car.

It is alleged that the suspect stole the car.

Using 'to have' with 'It is alleged' is a grammatical mix-up.

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

It is ___ that ___.

It is widely ___ that ___.

Real World Usage

TV News Broadcast constant

It is reported that the storm will reach the coast by midnight.

Office Gossip very common

It is rumored that Sarah is getting a promotion.

Academic Essay constant

It is argued that the industrial revolution changed social structures.

Legal Document common

It is alleged that the contract was breached on June 5th.

Weather App occasional

It is expected to rain later today.

History Textbook very common

It is thought that the city was abandoned due to drought.

🎯

صدای 'امن'

اگه صددرصد از یه موضوعی مطمئن نیستی، از
It is said that
استفاده کن. اینجوری مسئولیت ادعا رو گردن نمی‌گیری!
It is said that the movie is good.
⚠️

نه 'It is told'

فعل 'tell' رو تو این الگو استفاده نمی‌کنیم. فقط 'say', 'think' یا 'believe' رو به کار ببر.
It is told that
خیلی قدیمی به نظر میاد.
💬

سبک خبری بریتانیایی

شبکه‌های خبری مثل BBC عاشق این ساختارن. اینجوری میتونن بی‌طرف (neutral) باشن.
It is reported that the Prime Minister resigned.

Smart Tips

Swap them for 'It is thought that' or 'It is believed that' to instantly boost your academic tone.

People say that technology is bad for kids. It is often argued that technology has a negative impact on children.

Use 'It is rumored that' to distance yourself from the gossip.

I heard that the boss is quitting. It is rumored that the boss is resigning.

Remember that 'It says' is for written words, but 'It is said' is for spoken beliefs.

It is said on the sign that the park is closed. It says on the sign that the park is closed.

Use 'It is reported that' to introduce your main facts.

A storm is coming to London. It is reported that a storm is approaching London.

تلفظ

/ɪts sed ðæt/

Weak 'It is'

In natural speech, 'It is' is often reduced to 'It's' or the 'is' becomes very short.

It is be-LIEVED that...

Stress on the Verb

The stress usually falls on the reporting verb (said, thought, believed) to emphasize the nature of the information.

Reporting Intonation

It is reported ↗ that the weather will be nice ↘.

A slight rise on the reporting verb followed by a fall at the end of the sentence.

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

IT IS SAID: Information Transferred Is Simply Stated As Indirect Data.

تداعی تصویری

Imagine a news anchor behind a desk. They aren't saying 'I think,' they are pointing to a screen that says 'IT IS REPORTED.' The anchor is just a messenger for the 'It'.

Rhyme

When you don't know who to blame, use 'It is said' to hide the name.

Story

A secret agent needs to share a rumor without getting caught. Instead of saying 'I heard the boss is a spy,' he leaves a note that says 'It is rumored that the boss is a spy.' The 'It' protects his identity.

شبکه واژگان

Itsaidthoughtbelievedreportedknownthat

چالش

Look at a news website for 5 minutes. Try to find one sentence that starts with 'It is reported that' or 'It is believed that.' If you can't find one, rewrite a headline using this structure.

نکات فرهنگی

British news (like the BBC) uses this structure very frequently to maintain a 'neutral' and 'unbiased' tone, which is a core value of British journalism.

In Western universities, using 'I think' in an essay is often discouraged. Students are taught to use 'It is argued that' to make their arguments sound more objective.

In US and UK law, 'It is alleged that' is used to talk about crimes before a person is found guilty. This avoids 'defamation' (saying something untrue that hurts a reputation).

The use of 'It' as a dummy subject (expletive) dates back to Old English, but the formal impersonal passive became popular in Middle English as a way to mimic Latin's objective style.

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

It is said that breakfast is the most important meal. Do you agree?

It is rumored that AI will take all our jobs. What do you think?

It was once thought that the Earth was flat. What other old beliefs do you know?

موضوعات نگارش

Write a short news report about a mysterious event in your town. Use 'It is reported that' and 'It is believed that'.
Discuss a common myth or superstition in your culture. Start with 'It is said that...'.

اشتباهات رایج

Incorrect

صحیح


Incorrect

صحیح


Incorrect

صحیح


Incorrect

صحیح

Test Yourself

جای خالی رو با عبارت خبری درست پر کن.

It ___ believed that the concert is sold out.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is
همیشه با 'it' از 'is' مفرد استفاده می‌کنیم.
کدوم جمله برای یه گزارش خبری حرفه‌ای‌تر به نظر میاد؟ چند گزینه‌ای

بهترین جمله رو انتخاب کن:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is reported that the road is closed.
'It is reported' حالت مجهول بی‌طرفانه است که برای گزارش‌های حرفه‌ای استفاده میشه.
اشتباه رو پیدا کن و درستش کن. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

It is think that the movie starts at 8.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is thought that the movie starts at 8.
باید از شکل سوم فعل 'thought' استفاده کنیم، نه شکل اصلی 'think'.

Score: /3

تمرین‌های عملی

8 exercises
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'be' and the verb in brackets.

It ___ (believe) that the ancient city was very large.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is believed
We need 'is' + the past participle 'believed'.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Is said that the coffee here is the best in town.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Add 'It' at the beginning
English sentences need a subject. 'It' is the dummy subject here.
Which sentence is the most formal? چند گزینه‌ای

Choose the best option for an academic essay.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is thought that the results are incorrect.
The impersonal passive is the standard for formal academic writing.
Rewrite the sentence using 'It is said that...'. Sentence Transformation

People say that he lives in a castle.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is said that he lives in a castle.
Replace 'People say' with 'It is said'.
Match the active phrase to its impersonal passive equivalent. جفت کردن

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: People believe -> It is believed that
The structure converts active general subjects to 'It is + V3'.
Is the following rule true or false? True False Rule

You can use 'It is said that' with any verb, like 'It is eaten that'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
This structure only works with 'reporting verbs' (verbs of thinking, saying, or feeling).
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Why is everyone leaving the office? B: ___ that there is a fire drill.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is said
'It is said' is used to report the reason everyone is leaving.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Building

rumored / that / is / it / is / she / leaving

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is rumored that she is leaving
The order is: It + is + V3 + that + clause.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
جای خالی رو پر کن. پر کردن جای خالی

It is ___ that the test is difficult.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: said
کلمات رو به ترتیب درست بذار. Sentence Reorder

said / is / that / It / is / nice / she

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is said that she is nice.
به انگلیسی ترجمه کن. ترجمه

Man glaubt, dass er in London lebt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is believed that he lives in London.
اول جمله رو به آخرش وصل کن. جفت کردن

قسمت‌ها رو به هم وصل کن:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is reported that the train is late.
فرم درست رو انتخاب کن. چند گزینه‌ای

___ thought that the price will go up.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is
اشتباه رو درست کن. Error Correction

It is reported the meeting is canceled.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is reported that the meeting is canceled.
جای خالی رو پر کن. پر کردن جای خالی

It is ___ that smoking is bad.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: known
کدوم بی‌طرفانه‌تره؟ چند گزینه‌ای

جمله بی‌طرفانه رو انتخاب کن:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is said that the park is open.
کلمات رو مرتب کن. Sentence Reorder

that / reported / It / is / won / they

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is reported that they won.
جای خالی رو پر کن. پر کردن جای خالی

It is ___ that the pizza is coming.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: expected

Score: /10

سوالات متداول (8)

Yes! Use 'It was said that' to report something people believed in the past. For example: `It was thought that the Earth was the center of the universe.`

In casual speech, yes. `It's said he's rich.` But in formal writing, you should always include it: `It is said that he is rich.`

Only 'reporting verbs' work. Common ones are: `say, think, believe, know, report, expect, claim, suggest, rumor, allege`.

Yes, the meaning is the same, but 'It is said that' is much more formal and objective.

In English, every sentence needs a subject. Since we don't want to say WHO said it, we use 'It' as a placeholder or 'dummy' subject.

Yes. `It is not believed that the situation will improve.` This is a very formal way to express doubt.

Yes, it is common in both American and British English, especially in news and formal documents.

The meaning is identical, but the grammar is different. 'It is said that' is followed by a full sentence, while 'He is said to' is followed by a verb.

Scaffolded Practice

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4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Se dice que...

English uses a passive verb; Spanish uses a reflexive pronoun.

French low

On dit que...

French uses an active verb with an indefinite subject.

German low

Man sagt, dass...

German prefers the indefinite pronoun 'man'.

Japanese high

...to iwarete iru

Japanese word order is reversed, but the passive logic is similar.

Arabic high

Yuqālu 'anna...

Arabic does not need a dummy subject like 'It'.

Chinese moderate

Jùshuō...

Chinese uses a fixed phrase rather than a conjugated passive verb.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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