Chapter in 30 Seconds
Master the art of relaying information and navigating rumors with confidence and professional flair.
- Construct sophisticated passive sentences to report hearsay.
- Convert direct inquiries into fluent reported questions.
- Command and request information using precise reporting verbs.
Report with authority, speak with precision.
学べること
Ready to elevate your conversations, subtly sharing news or expertly relaying information? Dive into this chapter to confidently navigate reported questions and sophisticated passive structures, making your speech sound truly authoritative and refined.
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ニュースと噂: 報告動詞の受動態 (〜と言われている)「It is said that...」を使いこなすと、英語での報告がより「フォーマル」に、そして「客観的」になりますよ。
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上級受動態: 噂と信念の報告（〜だと言われている）このC1レベルの受動態をマスターすれば、「噂」や「信念」を的確に、そして「高度」な響きで伝えることができます。「ネイティブ」のような表現力を目指しましょう！
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受動態報告構造（彼は～だと言われている）この構文を使いこなせると、あなたの英語は「権威的」で「ニュアンス豊か」に聞こえ、C1レベルの学習者としての実力を発揮できますよ！
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疑問詞を使った間接疑問文 (Who, What, Why)疑問詞を使った間接疑問文は、質問を「発言」に変える魔法のツールです。語順が変わったり、時制が「過去にずれる」ことがあるのが特徴ですよ。キーワードは「発言化」「語順変更」「時制のずれ」です。
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間接的なはい/いいえの質問 (If/Whether)Yes/Noで答える質問を誰かに伝える時は、
ifやwhetherを使って「〜かどうか」という形にします。ポイントはbackshift（時制を戻す）とstatement word order（肯定文の語順）の2点です！ -
間接話法による命令と依頼：他者に何をすべきか伝える命令や依頼の間接話法をマスターすれば、指示を伝えるときに「丁寧さ」「プロフェッショナルさ」「明確さ」を表現できますよ。
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法助動詞と受動態の報告表現（C1レベル）Master advanced reporting to sound polished, objective, and nuanced in C1 English.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
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1
By the end you will be able to: relay gossip or business news using advanced impersonal passive structures.
チャプターガイド
Overview
As a C1 English learner, you're not just speaking English; you're mastering its nuances, ready to express complex ideas with sophistication. This chapter,
Reporting Information and Rumors,is your gateway to sounding truly fluent and authoritative. It equips you with the tools to share news, relay conversations, and even distance yourself from claims, all while maintaining impeccable grammar.
We'll delve into structures that allow you to subtly convey reported information and rumors, moving beyond basic direct speech to a more objective and refined communication style.
This mastery is crucial for professional settings, academic discussions, and even nuanced social interactions where clarity and precision are paramount. You’ll learn how to transform direct questions into smooth, integrated statements using reported questions with question words or reported Yes/No questions with 'if' or 'whether'. Furthermore, we’ll explore advanced C1 English grammar techniques like using passive reporting verbs –
It is said that...or
He is said to be...– to present information objectively, often hinting at its source without explicitly naming it.
Get ready to elevate your ability to report facts, claims, and even speculation with a confidence that truly reflects your advanced English proficiency.
How This Grammar Works
At its heart, reporting information involves transforming someone else's words or a general belief into your own statement, often from a different time or perspective. The core principle is typically backshifting tenses (e.g., present simple becomes past simple) and adjusting pronouns and time expressions. For example,
I am busy today,becomes
She said she was busy that day.This foundational understanding then branches into more complex, C1-level structures designed for objectivity and nuance.
When you encounter reported questions, the key is to turn them into statements, losing the question mark and inverted word order. A direct question like
What is he doing?becomes
She asked what he was doing.Notice the subject-verb order after the question word. Similarly, for reported Yes/No questions, we use 'if' or 'whether' as a connector:
Are you coming? transforms into He wondered if/whether I was coming.
For reported commands and requests, direct imperatives like
Clean your room! convert into an infinitive structure, often with a specific reporting verb: She told me to clean my room.Here, verbs like *tell*, *ask*, *order*, *advise*, or *warn* are crucial for conveying the original tone.
The truly C1-level structures involve passive reporting verbs like
It is said that...or
He is said to be.... These are powerful for distancing yourself from the information, presenting it as a generally accepted fact or widespread rumor without attribution. For instance, instead of "People say he's very talented,
you can say, It is said that he is very talented,or even more elegantly,He is said to be very talented." This latter form (He is said to be...) is particularly advanced as it shifts the focus directly to the subject of the rumor or belief, creating a more concise and sophisticated report.
You'll also learn to integrate modals into these passive structures, allowing for precision even when reporting possibilities or obligations, like
He is thought to have been working late.
Common Mistakes
- 1Forgetting to backshift tenses in reported speech.
✗ He said he *is* coming tomorrow.
✓ He said he *was* coming the next day.
*Explanation:* When reporting something that was said in the past, the tense often shifts backward.
- 1Maintaining question word order in reported questions.
✗ She asked what *was his name?*
✓ She asked what *his name was*.
*Explanation:* Reported questions become statements, so the subject comes before the verb.
- 1Confusing
It is said that...
withHe is said to be...
✗ The company is said that *it* is launching a new product.
✓ It is said that the company is launching a new product. (Correct, but less concise)
✓ The company is said to be launching a new product. (More advanced, C1)
*Explanation:*
He/She/It is said to be...is a more advanced and often more elegant way to report information about a specific subject, directly linking the subject to the reported action or state.
Real Conversations
A
A
Did you hear about the new policy?
B
B
Oh, yes. It is rumored that the changes will be implemented by next month. The CEO is said to be announcing the full details on Friday.
A
A
I’m not sure if I should take on this extra project.
B
B
Well, the manager asked if you would be able to handle it. He also advised us to prioritize our current tasks before committing to new ones.
A
A
I wonder what the new client's expectations are.
B
B
I spoke with Sarah. She said she wasn't sure what their specific requirements were, but she did mention that they were hoping to finalize the contract soon.
Quick FAQ
Q
When should I use
It is said that...versus
He/She is said to be...?
It is said that...is more general, like reporting common knowledge or rumors about a situation.
He/She is said to be...focuses directly on a person or specific entity, making the sentence more concise and often more formal, emphasizing the subject as the focus of the reported information.
Q
Do I always have to backshift tenses in reported speech?
Not always. If the reported statement is still true in the present, or if it's a general truth, backshifting is optional. For example,
He said the Earth is roundis still correct, though
He said the Earth was roundis also acceptable. However, for specific events or past actions, backshifting is generally expected.
Q
Can 'if' and 'whether' be used interchangeably in reported Yes/No questions?
Often, yes. Both 'if' and 'whether' work for simple reported Yes/No questions. However, 'whether' is generally preferred in more formal contexts, or when reporting a choice between two alternatives (e.g.,
She asked whether I wanted coffee or tea).
Q
Why is reporting commands with 'to-infinitive' better than just saying "He said, 'Do this!'"?
While direct speech is fine, using the 'to-infinitive' structure (
He told me to do this) transforms the command into a grammatically integrated statement within your own sentence. This makes your speech flow more smoothly and demonstrates a higher level of syntactic control, essential for C1 English.
Cultural Context
Native English speakers use these structures to navigate social and professional discourse with precision. Passive reporting verbs like
It is believed that...or
He is understood to be...are particularly common in news reporting, academic papers, and business communications where objectivity, formality, and sometimes a degree of distance from the source are desired. In everyday conversation, using reported questions and commands is natural for relaying information efficiently.
There isn't significant regional variation in the grammar itself, but the *frequency* of using advanced passive structures might lean towards more formal environments. Mastering these allows you to sound less direct and more diplomatic when sharing sensitive or unconfirmed information, a valuable social skill.
重要な例文 (8)
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It was reported that the flight would be delayed by two hours.
フライトが2時間遅れると報告されました。
ニュースと噂: 報告動詞の受動態 (〜と言われている)
3
The celebrity is said to be filming a new movie in secret.
その有名人は、秘密裏に新作映画を撮影中だと言われています。
上級受動態: 噂と信念の報告（〜だと言われている）
4
She is believed to be one of the top researchers in her field.
彼女は、その分野のトップ研究者の一人だと信じられています。
上級受動態: 噂と信念の報告（〜だと言われている）
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7
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ヒントとコツ (4)
💡
動詞を使い分けよう！
「said」ばかりではなく、「believed」「known」「reported」「thought」「expected」「alleged」なども使ってみましょう。それぞれの動詞がニュアンスを変え、より正確な報告ができます。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ニュースと噂: 報告動詞の受動態 (〜と言われている)
It is expected that the weather will clear up soon.
💡
Vary your verbs
表現を豊かにするために、「said」や「believed」だけでなく、「known」、「thought」、「understood」、「alleged」、「expected」、「considered」などの動詞も使ってみましょう。「Don't just stick to 'said' and 'believed'！」
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 上級受動態: 噂と信念の報告（〜だと言われている）
💡
動詞選びが重要です！
使う報告動詞（say, believe, expectなど）によって、伝えたいニュアンスが微妙に変わってきます。「It is alleged」は「It is said」よりも、悪い行為への言及が強い印象を与えます。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 受動態報告構造（彼は～だと言われている）
It is alleged carries a stronger implication of wrongdoing than It is said.
💡
「倒置なし」のルールを徹底しよう
つい元の質問の語順（主語と動詞が逆になる倒置）を保ちがちですが、間接疑問文はあくまで「発言」なので、通常の文と同じく「主語＋動詞」の語順になることを常に意識しましょう。これは一番よくある間違いで、一番直すべきポイントです！
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 疑問詞を使った間接疑問文 (Who, What, Why)
He asked what I was doing.(正) vs.
He asked what was I doing.(誤)
重要な語彙 (5)
Allege
to claim something is true without proof
Rumor
a currently circulating story of uncertain truth
Inquiry
an act of asking for information
Diplomatic
having the ability to deal with people in a sensitive way
Objective
not influenced by personal feelings
Real-World Preview
briefcase
Corporate Office Gossip
Review Summary
- It + be + verb(past participle) + that...
- Subject + be + verb(past participle) + to + infinitive
よくある間違い
You cannot use a 'that' clause after a personal subject in this passive structure. Use an infinitive instead.
Wrong:
He is said that he is rich.
正解:
He is said to be rich.
In reported questions, the word order must return to statement form (subject + verb).
Wrong:
He asked me what did I do.
正解:
He asked me what I did.
The verb 'tell' takes an object directly without the preposition 'to'.
Wrong:
She told to me to wait.
正解:
She told me to wait.
このチャプターのルール (7)
Next Steps
You have mastered the mechanics of professional reporting. Keep practicing these structures in your daily writing to truly own them!
Listen to a news podcast and note down three examples of passive reporting structures.
クイック練習 (10)
文中の間違いを見つけて修正してください。
Find and fix the mistake:
She asked if was he coming to the meeting.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She asked if he was coming to the meeting.
間接疑問文では、if の後は「主語 + 動詞」の語順になります。また、主節が asked（過去）なので is を was に戻す必要があります。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 間接的なはい/いいえの質問 (If/Whether)
正しい動詞の形で間接疑問文を完成させましょう。
She wanted to know what I ___ (do) that evening.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: was doing
直接疑問文は「What are you doing this evening?」（現在進行形）だったと考えられ、それが過去進行形にバックシフトします。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 疑問詞を使った間接疑問文 (Who, What, Why)
正しい報告動詞の形を選びましょう。
It ___ that the new policy will improve efficiency.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is expected
受動態の構造は「It + be動詞 + 過去分詞」が必要です。「Is expected」は現在の受動態を正しく形成しています。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ニュースと噂: 報告動詞の受動態 (〜と言われている)
間接疑問文の誤りを見つけて修正しましょう。
Find and fix the mistake:
He asked me why did I leave early.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He asked me why I had left early.
間接疑問文では「did」は削除され、動詞はバックシフトされます。「Why did you leave?」（過去単純形）は「why I had left」（過去完了形）になります。倒置された語順（did I）も（I had）に修正されます。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 疑問詞を使った間接疑問文 (Who, What, Why)
文中の間違いを見つけて修正しましょう。
Find and fix the mistake:
My mom told don't stay out late.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: My mom told me not to stay out late.
間接命令には「told」の後に目的語（'me'）と、否定の不定詞「not to stay」が必要です。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 間接話法による命令と依頼：他者に何をすべきか伝える
間接命令を完成させる正しい形を選びましょう。
The coach advised the players ___ warm up before the game.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to
報告動詞と目的語の後に「to + 動詞の原形」を使います。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 間接話法による命令と依頼：他者に何をすべきか伝える
直接疑問文 "Are you feeling better?" を正しく報告しているのはどれ？
Choose the correct sentence:
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He asked if I was feeling better.
if を使い、時制を過去 (are -> was) にし、語順を肯定文 (I was) に戻しているものが正解です。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 間接的なはい/いいえの質問 (If/Whether)
文章を完成させる正しい形を選びましょう。
The ancient city ___ to have existed for over 2,000 years.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is believed
「city」は単数主語なので、「is believed」が正しい受動態の形です。不定詞の「to have existed」は、その行動が過去に起こったことを正しく示しています。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 受動態報告構造（彼は～だと言われている）
Find the error in this sentence: 'It is thought him to be the best player.'
Find and fix the mistake:
It is thought him to be the best player.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Change 'It' to 'He'
The 'Subject + to-infinitive' structure requires the person (He) as the subject, not 'It'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 法助動詞と受動態の報告表現（C1レベル）
Choose the correct modal shift for: 'I can help you tomorrow,' he said.
He said he ___ help me the next day.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: could
'Can' shifts to 'could' in reported speech.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 法助動詞と受動態の報告表現（C1レベル）
Score: /10
よくある質問 (6)
基本的な構造は、「It + be動詞（適切な時制）+ 報告動詞の過去分詞形（said, believed, reportedなど）+ that + 節」です。例えば、「It is believed that the meeting starts at ten.」のように使います。
「It is said that...」を使うと、発言がよりフォーマルに、客観的に、そして一般的になり、誰が言ったかよりも情報自体に焦点を当てることができます。「People say that...」はより直接的でインフォーマルな表現です。
特定の誰かを挙げずに、人々が一般的に誰かや何かについて「言う」「考える」「信じる」ことを伝える方法です。客観的な響きを与えることができます。例えば、「He is said to be a genius」のように使います。
どちらも受動態の伝聞表現ですが、「He is said to be a genius」の方がより簡潔で、話題の中心人物に直接焦点を当てます。「It is said that...」は、「it」を仮の主語として使います。
これは、情報源を直接示すことなく、人々が一般的に言ったり、考えたり、信じたりしていることを報告するために使われます。客観性を加え、多くの場合、その情報が常識や噂であることを示唆します。例えば、「The ancient city is said to be built on gold.」（その古代都市は金の上に建てられていると言われている。）
能動態の形は「人々」を主語として強調しますが、「He is said to be rich」は焦点を「彼」に移し、「彼」に関する記述をより中心的にします。また、よりフォーマルで簡潔であり、例えば「People say the boss is busy」は「The boss is said to be busy」となります。
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