Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use these structures to report information objectively without naming a specific source, common in journalism and academic writing.
- Use 'It + passive verb + that-clause' for general statements like 'It is said that he is rich'.
- Use 'Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive' for personal focus like 'He is said to be rich'.
- Match the infinitive tense (simple, continuous, perfect) to the timing of the reported action.
Overview
Someone said... や I heard that... と言うだけでは、プロフェッショナルなビジネスシーンや学術的な議論、あるいは格調高いニュース報道において、客観性や信頼性を十分に表現することができません。Passive Reporting Structures（受動態による伝聞・報告構造）、特に He is said to be... に代表される形は、発信者の主観を排し、情報を「世間一般の認識」や「客観的な事実」として提示するための高度な文法的ツールです。日本語の「〜と言われている」「〜と見なされている」「〜と考えられている」に相当しますが、英語特有の「主語を立てる」構造により、日本語よりもはるかに多様な時間軸（過去・現在・未来）を一つの文の中で精密に表現することが可能です。It is said that... ではなく He is said to be... を選ぶのか、その心理的・文体的な理由まで深く掘り下げていきましょう。- 1能動態 (Active):
People say that he is a genius.（人々は、彼が天才だと言っている。） - 2形式主語の受動態 (Passive with 'It'):
It is said that he is a genius.（彼が天才であると言われている。） - 3主語を繰り上げた受動態 (Passive Reporting Structure):
He is said to be a genius.（彼は天才だと言われている。）
that 節の中にいた主語 he が文全体の主語の位置に「繰り上がり」ます。その結果、元々あった that 節は消滅し、動詞の部分は to 不定詞へと姿を変えます。He is said... と始めた時点で、聞き手は「あ、今から『彼』についての世間の評判や報告が来るんだな」と心の準備をします。この「情報の焦点（トピック）」を文頭に持ってくる感覚は、日本語の「彼は〜と言えば、...」という「は」のニュアンスに近いものがありますが、英語ではそれを不定詞という精密なギアを使って接続するのです。Subject + Passive Reporting Verb + Infinitive Phrase です。使用される動詞（Reporting Verbs）は、思考、発言、信念に関わるものが中心です。say(言われる)believe(信じられている)know(知られている)think(考えられている)report(報じられている)understand(理解されている・周知である)expect(予想されている)claim(主張されている)consider(見なされている)
to + 動詞の原形)The new CEO is said to work 15 hours a day.
This temple is known to be the oldest in Kyoto.
to be + -ing)The company is understood to be preparing for an IPO.
to have + 過去分詞)He is said to have resigned last night.
The suspect is believed to have fled the country.
to have been + -ing)She is alleged to have been embezzling funds for years.
to do | He is thought to live in London. |to be doing | They are reported to be negotiating. |to have done | She is claimed to have won the prize. |to have been doing | He is said to have been hiding there. |It is said that... という便利な形があるのに、わざわざ He is said to be... を使うのでしょうか？それには明確な文体上の理由があります。I や We を主語にすることを避ける傾向があります。また、People say では「誰が言っているのか」という曖昧さが残り、少し子供っぽい印象を与えます。The data is considered to be... とすることで、特定の個人の意見ではなく、専門家コミュニティ全体の総意であるかのような響きを与えます。alleged（申し立てられている）や rumored（噂されている）を多用します。He killed the man. と言ってしまうと断定になりますが、He is alleged to have killed the man. とすれば、「そういう主張がある」という事実を正確に伝えることができます。これは日本語の「〜の疑いがある」「〜とされる」という報道用語に非常に近いです。The Prime Minister について話していたなら、次の文章も The Prime Minister is expected to... と彼を主語に続ける方が、読み手にとって情報の整理がスムーズです。It is expected that the Prime Minister... とすると、主語が It になり、文の流れが一度途切れてしまいます。He is said to be very difficult to work with.
He is said to was rich. のような誤った形を作ってしまいがちです。不定詞の後は必ず「原形」でなければならないというルールと、過去を表すには have + 過去分詞 にする必要があるというルールを組み合わせる必要があります。- Bad:
He is said to was a hero. - Good:
He is said to have been a hero.
be 動詞の脱落He said to be... と言ってしまうミスです。これでは「彼が〜だと言った」という能動態の意味になってしまいます。必ず is/are/was/were が必要です。- Bad:
The project thought to be a success. - Good:
The project is thought to be a success.
that 節との混同that 節を残してしまうパターンです。- Bad:
He is said that he is smart. - Good:
He is said to be smart.またはIt is said that he is smart.
He を前に出したなら、後ろは to で繋ぐ。これが鉄則です。People say he is rich. | カジュアル、情報源が漠然としている。 |It is said that he is rich. | フォーマルだが、少し説明的で冗長。 |He is said to be rich. | 最も洗練されている。 主語に焦点が当たっている。 |Apparently, he is rich. | 副詞による修飾。確信度はやや低く、伝聞であることを強調する。 |He is supposedly rich. | 「建前では〜ということになっているが、実際は？」という疑念が含まれることがある。 |It is said that... vs He is said to... の使い分け:He is said to... の方が簡潔で好まれますが、that 節の内容が非常に長く、複雑な場合は、情報の重みを後ろに置くために It is said that... を選択することもあります。これを「End-weight principle（末尾重点の原則）」と呼びます。suggest や explain はこの形を取ることができません。He is suggested to be... とは言わず、It is suggested that he (should) be... と言います。基本的には say, believe, know, think, report, expect, consider の 7 つを覚えておけば実戦では十分です。He was said to have been... のように、メインの動詞も過去形になることはありますか？He was said to be the best player.（当時は、彼が最高の選手だと言われていた。）He was said to have won the battle.（当時は、彼がその戦いに勝ったのだと言われていた。）
He is supposed to... とはどう違いますか？suppose もこの構造（Passive Reporting）の一つですが、現代英語では be supposed to は「〜することになっている（義務・予定）」というニュアンスで使われることが圧倒的に多いです。純粋な「〜だと思われている」という意味で使う場合は is thought to や is believed to を使う方が誤解がありません。Passive Reporting Structure は、英語の「論理的な美しさ」を象徴するような構文です。主語を決め、動詞を据え、不定詞で時間のズレを調整する。このパズルを解くような感覚を楽しめるようになれば、あなたの英語は間違いなく C1 レベルの深みに到達しています。まずは、ニュース記事を読みながらこの形を探してみてください。驚くほど頻繁に使われていることに気づくはずです。頑張りましょう（努力は必ず報われます）！Personal Structure: Subject + Passive Verb + Infinitive
| Time of Action | Infinitive Form | Example Structure | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present/Future
|
Simple (to do)
|
is said to [verb]
|
He is said to live in Paris.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
Continuous (to be doing)
|
is thought to be [verb-ing]
|
She is thought to be sleeping.
|
|
Past
|
Perfect (to have done)
|
is believed to have [past part.]
|
They are believed to have left.
|
|
Past Continuous
|
Perfect Continuous (to have been doing)
|
is alleged to have been [verb-ing]
|
He is alleged to have been lying.
|
Common Passive Reporting Verbs
| Verb | Passive Form (Impersonal) | Passive Form (Personal) |
|---|---|---|
|
Say
|
It is said that...
|
Subject is said to...
|
|
Think
|
It is thought that...
|
Subject is thought to...
|
|
Believe
|
It is believed that...
|
Subject is believed to...
|
|
Report
|
It is reported that...
|
Subject is reported to...
|
|
Claim
|
It is claimed that...
|
Subject is claimed to...
|
|
Allege
|
It is alleged that...
|
Subject is alleged to...
|
Meanings
A formal way to report thoughts, beliefs, or rumors without identifying the speaker, often used to create a sense of distance or objectivity.
General Consensus
Reporting what is widely believed or accepted by the public or a specific group.
“It is generally accepted that climate change is accelerating.”
“The company is thought to be the market leader.”
Rumors and Speculation
Reporting unconfirmed information or gossip in a way that avoids personal responsibility for the claim.
“He is rumored to be dating a famous actress.”
“The CEO is said to be considering a resignation.”
Expectations and Requirements
Reporting what is expected to happen or what people are required to do based on general knowledge.
“The train is expected to arrive ten minutes late.”
“Passengers are requested to remain seated.”
Reference Table
| 報告動詞 | 受動態の形 | 現在・一般的な不定詞 | 過去の不定詞 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Say
|
is/are said
|
to be / to + Base Verb
|
to have been / to have + Past Participle
|
|
Believe
|
is/are believed
|
to be / to + Base Verb
|
to have been / to have + Past Participle
|
|
Know
|
is/are known
|
to be / to + Base Verb
|
to have been / to have + Past Participle
|
|
Think
|
is/are thought
|
to be / to + Base Verb
|
to have been / to have + Past Participle
|
|
Report
|
is/are reported
|
to be / to + Base Verb
|
to have been / to have + Past Participle
|
|
Expect
|
is/are expected
|
to be / to + Base Verb
|
to have been / to have + Past Participle
|
|
Understand
|
is/are understood
|
to be / to + Base Verb
|
to have been / to have + Past Participle
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
He is reputed to possess considerable wealth. (Financial status)
He is said to be very rich. (Financial status)
Word is he's loaded. (Financial status)
I heard he's got mad stacks. (Financial status)
レベル別の例文
People say he is a good doctor.
They think the movie is long.
Everyone says the food is great.
I hear he is from Italy.
It is said that the city is beautiful.
People believe that he is very rich.
It is thought that the test is hard.
They say that she is a famous singer.
It is reported that the weather will be bad.
He is said to be a very kind man.
It is believed that the fire started in the kitchen.
The company is thought to be very successful.
The athlete is expected to win the gold medal.
It is claimed that the new drug has no side effects.
The painting is believed to be a genuine Picasso.
He is rumored to have resigned from his post.
The CEO is alleged to have been embezzling funds for years.
It is widely understood that the treaty is no longer valid.
The species was thought to have gone extinct in the 19th century.
The manuscript is reputed to be the oldest in existence.
The diplomat is purported to have acted as a double agent during the war.
It is surmised that the civilization collapsed due to prolonged drought.
The author is widely held to have revolutionized the modern novel.
The suspect is reported to be evading capture in the mountains.
間違えやすい
Learners often use 'supposed to' when they mean 'said to'. 'Supposed to' often implies an obligation or a failed expectation.
Mixing the 'that' clause with the 'to' infinitive.
Using 'People say' in a formal essay.
よくある間違い
He say he is happy.
He says he is happy.
People is say he is rich.
People say he is rich.
They thinks it is good.
They think it is good.
I am hear he is nice.
I hear he is nice.
It said that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
He is say to be rich.
He is said to be rich.
It is thought he rich.
It is thought that he is rich.
He is said that he is rich.
He is said to be rich.
It is believed to be rich.
He is believed to be rich.
He is thought have left.
He is thought to have left.
He is alleged to steal the money yesterday.
He is alleged to have stolen the money yesterday.
It is reported the company to be closing.
The company is reported to be closing.
He is understood to being working hard.
He is understood to be working hard.
The suspect is claimed to have been escaped.
The suspect is claimed to have escaped.
文型パターン
It is ___ that ___.
Subject is said to ___.
Subject is thought to have ___.
Subject is alleged to have been ___.
Real World Usage
Local Man Said to Be Missing After Storm
The results are thought to indicate a shift in climate patterns.
The defendant is alleged to have committed the robbery.
She's rumored to be getting a promotion.
The flight is expected to be delayed.
The king was believed to have died in battle.
動詞選びが重要です！
It is alleged carries a stronger implication of wrongdoing than It is said.
不定詞のタイミングに注意！
Always ask: did the reported action happen at the same time as the reporting, or before it?
よりアカデミックに響かせましょう
It makes your claims sound more researched and less like personal opinion.
英語と他の言語
可能ならシンプルに！
Smart Tips
Switch to 'It is widely believed that...' or 'It is often claimed that...'.
Always use 'to have + past participle'.
Use 'rumored to' or 'alleged to' to protect yourself from sounding like you're stating a fact.
Check for 'that' immediately after the reporting verb.
発音
Weak form of 'to'
In the personal structure, the word 'to' is usually unstressed and pronounced as a schwa /tə/.
Stress on reporting verb
The main stress usually falls on the past participle of the reporting verb (e.g., 'said', 'thought', 'believed').
Falling intonation for facts
He is said to be the best. ↘
Conveys a sense of reporting a known or accepted fact.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Remember 'IT' for the whole sentence (It is said that...), and 'TO' for the person (He is said TO...).
視覚的連想
Imagine a news anchor behind a desk. They don't say 'My friend told me'; they say 'It is reported that...'. The desk represents the distance and formality of the structure.
Rhyme
If you start with 'It', a 'that' is a fit. If you start with 'He', a 'to' it must be!
Story
A detective is investigating a crime. He doesn't know who did it, so he writes in his notebook: 'The suspect is believed to have escaped.' He uses this to sound professional and avoid blaming the wrong person too early.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write three sentences about a famous celebrity using 'is said to be', 'is thought to have', and 'is rumored to be doing'.
文化メモ
British journalism (especially the BBC or broadsheets) uses these structures extensively to maintain a 'neutral' and 'unbiased' stance.
In Western academia, using 'It is thought that' is preferred over 'I think' to make the research seem more universal and less personal.
The word 'alleged' is legally crucial. Media must say 'The alleged thief' or 'He is alleged to have stolen' until a person is convicted to avoid lawsuits.
These structures evolved from the Latin 'dicitur' (it is said) and 'videtur' (it seems), which were common in legal and scholarly texts.
会話のきっかけ
What is a place in your country that is said to be haunted?
Which celebrity is rumored to be starting a new project right now?
In your field of study, what is a theory that is widely held to be true?
Discuss a historical figure who is alleged to have committed a crime that was never proven.
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
The ancient city ___ to have existed for over 2,000 years.
Find and fix the mistake:
The documents are said have been lost.
Choose the correct sentence:
Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercisesThe CEO is believed ______ the company last night.
It ______ that the new law will be passed next week.
Find and fix the mistake:
He is thought that he is the best player in the team.
People believe that the suspect is hiding in the woods.
The structure 'It is said that...' is more informal than 'People say...'.
A: Have you heard about the new manager? B: Yes, he ______ very strict.
Select the correct group.
1. People say he is rich. 2. People think he was rich.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe ancient scroll ___ to contain secret knowledge.
The suspect ___ the country before the police arrived.
The new building is expected finished next month.
He is said to being a brilliant scientist, but he retired last year.
Which sentence is correct?
Select the correct option:
Translate into English: 'Se dice que el concierto ha sido cancelado.'
Translate into English: 'Se cree que el sospechoso estaba mintiendo durante el interrogatorio.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
文章と正しい不定詞の結びを合わせましょう。
文章の半分を合わせて完成させましょう。
Score: /12
よくある質問 (8)
No, only 'reporting verbs' like `say`, `think`, `believe`, `claim`, `allege`, `report`, `understand`, and `expect` work.
The meaning is the same, but 'He is said' focuses on the person, while 'It is said' focuses on the whole situation. 'He is said' is generally considered more advanced.
Use `to have been` (Perfect Infinitive) when the action you are reporting happened *before* the time of reporting. Example: `He is said to have been a spy in the 80s`.
It is less common in casual speech. In conversation, we usually say `I've heard that...` or `People say...`.
Yes! You can say `It was thought that...` or `He was believed to be...` to report what people thought in the past.
Mostly, yes. It implies that a claim has been made but not yet proven, which is why it's so common in legal and police contexts.
Because it creates 'distance' between the speaker and the information. You aren't saying *you* believe it; you're saying *it is believed* by others.
No. You cannot say `He is said that he is...`. You must use the infinitive: `He is said to be...`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que... / Se cree que...
Spanish prefers the 'It is said that' equivalent almost exclusively.
On dit que... / Il est dit que...
English 'He is said to' must be translated as 'On dit qu'il...' in French.
Man sagt... / Er soll ... sein
German uses the modal 'sollen' to express 'is said to'.
...to iwarete iru (〜と言われている)
The structure is very similar, but Japanese word order is Subject-Object-Verb.
Yuqal 'anna... (يُقال أن)
Arabic rarely uses a personal infinitive structure for reporting.
Jùshuō (据说)
Chinese uses a lexical marker (Jùshuō) rather than a grammatical passive construction.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
関連動画
![The Future of AI is Open [Advertiser content from IBM]](https://sublearn.com/storage/thumbnails/0KMeeeZOszA.jpg)
Related Grammar Rules
客観性のための受動態：「～と言われている」
### Overview 英語の文法には、情報源を特定せずに情報を伝えたり、情報を述べた人よりも情報そのものを強調したりするための特...
法助動詞と受動態の報告表現（C1レベル）
### 概要 リポートスピーチ（間接話法）における助動詞の扱い、そして受動態を用いた報告構文の習得は、英語力をC1レベルへと引...
報告動詞：誰が何を言った？
### Overview 英語を学んでいる皆さんは、誰かが言ったことを他人に伝える際、つい `say` や `tell` ばかりを使っていませんか...
受動態を使う時（ニュースや噂を報告する際）
Overview X（Twitter）をスクロールしていて、「新作の GTA が来週発売されるという噂がある（It is rumored that the new GTA...
受動態：行動に焦点を当てる（現在形受動態）
### Overview みなさん、こんにちは。英語学習を進める中で、「受動態（Passive Voice）」という言葉を一度は耳にしたことがあ...
