Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the reported passive to share information without naming a specific source, common in news and gossip.
- Use 'It + is/was + past participle + that' for general claims (e.g., 'It is said that...').
- Use 'Subject + is/was + past participle + to-infinitive' for specific people (e.g., 'He is thought to be...').
- Common verbs include: say, think, believe, consider, report, know, and rumor.
Overview
who)보다는 무엇이 보도되고 있는지(what)에 초점을 맞추는 특정 수동태 구조에 의존합니다. 이러한 언어적 메커니즘은 주로 정보, 생각, 믿음 또는 인식을 전달하는 보도 동사(reporting verbs)의 특정 그룹과 함께 사용됩니다. 일반적인 예로는 say, think, believe, know, report, understand, expect, allege, claim 등이 있습니다.- 1
It + 수동태 보도 동사 + that + 절: 이 구조는It을 가주어(anticipatory subject) 또는 더미 주어(dummy subject)로 사용합니다.It은 특정 대상을 지칭하지 않으며, 보도되는 진술을 소개하는 역할을 합니다.that절에는 전달되는 실제 정보가 포함됩니다. 이 구조는 진술을 일반적이고 보편적으로 적용 가능하게 만듭니다. 예를 들어,It is said that honesty is the best policy.여기서 출처는 불확실하며, 일반적인 합의나 명시되지 않은 공통된 믿음을 암시합니다. 이 구조는 매우 비인칭적이며, 정보의 객관적인 제시가 가장 중요한 뉴스 보도나 학술 토론과 같은 형식적인 맥락에서 자주 발견됩니다.
- 1
주어 + 수동태 보도 동사 + to + 동사원형: 이 패턴에서는 보도되는 정보의 *주어*가 수동태 문장의 주어가 됩니다. 이 구조는 보도되는 정보가 특정 사람이나 사물과 관련될 때 자주 사용됩니다.to + 동사원형부정사구는 해당 주어에 대해 보도되는 행동이나 상태를 설명합니다. 예를 들어,The ancient city is believed to have existed for millennia.여기서The ancient city가 초점이며, 믿음은 그 도시의 존재와 직접적으로 관련됩니다. 이 패턴은 보도 동사의 비인칭적인 특성을 유지하면서도 주어와 보도되는 행동 사이의 더 직접적인 연결을 가능하게 합니다.
It 구조)을 강조하고 싶은지, 아니면 논의의 주제로서 특정 개체(Subject 구조)를 강조하고 싶은지에 따라 달라집니다.be 동사 형태와 보도 동사의 과거분사(V3) (예: is said, was reported, has been believed)로 구성됩니다.It + 수동태 보도 동사 + that + 절It으로 시작하고, 그 뒤에 보도 동사의 수동태 형태를 붙인 다음, that과 완전한 절(주어 + 동사 + 목적어, 해당되는 경우)을 사용하여 보도된 전체 진술을 소개합니다. that 절은 보도 동사의 시제와는 독립적으로 어떤 시제든 가능하며, 보도되는 사건의 실제 시점을 반영합니다.It is believed that exercise improves mood. | 일반적이고 현재의 믿음. |It is reported that the economy is recovering. | 현재의 보도 또는 일반적인 지식. |It was announced that the new bridge was complete. | 과거의 특정 시점에 이루어진 발표. |It was thought that the solution would be simple. | 과거의 일반적인 의견, 현재는 더 이상 유효하지 않을 수 있음. |It has been said that patience is a virtue. | 지금까지 반복적으로 언급되었으며, 여전히 관련성이 있다고 여겨짐. |It has been reported that sea levels are rising. | 기간 동안 보도가 있었으며, 지속적인 관련성이 있음. |that 절의 시제(improves, is recovering, was complete, would be simple, is a virtue, are rising)가 보도 동사의 시제와 상관없이 보도되는 사건 자체의 시점을 결정하는 방식에 주목하세요. 예를 들어, It is known that ancient civilizations built impressive structures.에서 is known(현재)은 현재의 지식을 나타내고, built(과거)는 역사적 사건을 나타냅니다.주어 + 수동태 보도 동사 + to + 동사원형that 절의 주어가 새로운 수동태 문장의 주어가 됩니다. 여기서 가장 복잡한 부분은 보도 동사에 *상대적인* 보도되는 행동의 시점을 정확하게 반영하기 위해 올바른 부정사 형태(infinitive form)를 선택하는 것입니다.to + 동사원형 | 보도 동사와 동시적이거나 미래의 행동. | The director is expected to arrive shortly. | 기대는 현재이며, 도착은 곧 이루어짐. |The new law is believed to promote equality. | 믿음은 현재이며, 촉진은 동시적이거나 진행 중임. |to have + 과거분사 | 보도 동사 *이전에* 발생한 행동. | The suspect is said to have fled the country. | 보도는 현재이며, 도주는 이전에 발생함. |He is understood to have retired last year. | 이해는 현재이며, 은퇴는 작년에 발생함. |to be + -ing | 보도 동사와 동시적이며 진행 중인 행동. | The artist is believed to be painting a new series. | 믿음은 현재이며, 그림 그리기는 현재 진행 중임. |She is rumored to be training intensely for the marathon. | 소문은 현재이며, 훈련은 지금 하고 있음. |to have been + -ing | 보도 동사 *이전에* 진행 중이었던 행동. | The witness is thought to have been observing the scene. | 생각은 현재이며, 관찰은 과거의 특정 기간 동안 진행되었음. |The team is said to have been working on the project for months. | 보도는 현재이며, 작업은 과거 수개월 동안 진행되었음. |to be + 과거분사 | 보도되는 행동이 수동태이며 동시적이거나 미래임. | The new product is expected to be launched next month. | 기대는 현재이며, 출시(수동태)는 다음 달임. |He is believed to be offered a promotion. | 믿음은 현재이며, 제안(수동태)은 현재 또는 미래임. |to have been + 과거분사 | 보도되는 행동이 수동태이며 보도 동사 *이전에* 발생함. | The ancient manuscript is thought to have been stolen. | 생각은 현재이며, 도난(수동태)은 이전에 발생함. |The funds are alleged to have been misused by the committee. | 주장은 현재이며, 오용(수동태)은 이전에 발생함. |- 객관성과 형식성 유지: 학술적 글쓰기, 저널리즘 보도 또는 공식 발표에서 누가 무엇을 말했다고 명시적으로 언급하면 편견을 도입하거나 덜 객관적으로 보일 수 있습니다.
It is believed that...또는The study is said to...를 사용하면 정보의 신뢰성을 강조하는 형식적이고 분리된 어조를 만들어내며, 이는 단일 개인이 아닌 일반적이고 신뢰할 수 있는 출처에서 비롯된 것처럼 보이게 합니다. 예를 들어,It is widely understood that these principles are fundamental to ethical research.는 모든 사람이 이해한다고 열거할 필요 없이 폭넓은 합의를 전달합니다. 마찬가지로,The findings are expected to be published next quarter,는 개인적인 예측이 아닌 확립된 기대치로서의 전망을 제시합니다.
- 출처가 불확실하거나, 관련 없거나, 명백할 때: 뉴스나 일반적인 믿음의 출처가 실제로 알려지지 않았거나, 특정하기에는 너무 광범위하거나(예:
people in general), 맥락상 당연할 때가 있습니다. 이런 경우 출처를 명시적으로 언급하는 것은 불필요하거나 불가능할 것입니다.It has been reported that the traffic is unusually heavy today.를 고려해 보세요. 특정 뉴스 채널을 인용하는 것이 아니라면, 정확한 보도자는 교통 상황 자체보다 덜 중요합니다. 마찬가지로,The CEO is rumored to be stepping down,은 초기 출처를 밝히지 않고 널리 퍼진 정보를 효과적으로 전달합니다.
- 소문이나 불확실한 정보를 전달할 때: 보도 수동태는 정보의 출처를 불분명하게 함으로써 소문이나 확인되지 않은 정보를 전달하는 데 자주 사용됩니다. 예를 들어,
He is alleged to have committed fraud.는 그가 사기를 저질렀다는 주장이 있지만, 아직 법적으로 확정되지 않았음을 암시합니다.She is thought to be the best candidate for the job.은 그녀가 최고의 후보라는 의견이 있지만, 이것이 확정된 사실은 아님을 나타냅니다. 이러한 표현은 불확실성을 유지하면서 정보를 전달하는 데 도움이 됩니다.
- 책임 회피 또는 일반화: 때때로 말하는 사람은 정보에 대한 책임을 직접 지고 싶지 않거나, 정보를 일반적인 사실이나 믿음으로 제시하고 싶을 수 있습니다.
It is said that...은 '사람들이 말하기를...'이라는 의미로, 말하는 사람 자신은 그 정보에 대한 직접적인 책임을 지지 않으면서 정보를 전달합니다. 예를 들어,It is believed that this new policy will increase efficiency.는 정책이 효율성을 높일 것이라는 믿음이 있다는 것을 전달하지만, 말하는 사람이 그 믿음의 출처이거나 그것을 확증하는 것은 아닙니다.
- 강조점 전환:
It구조는 보도되는 내용 자체에 초점을 맞추는 반면,Subject + passive verb + infinitive구조는 특정 주제(사람, 사물, 사건)에 대한 일반적인 믿음이나 보고에 초점을 맞춥니다. 예를 들어,It is believed that the project will be completed on time.은 프로젝트 완료에 대한 믿음 자체를 강조합니다. 반면,The project is believed to be completed on time.은 프로젝트 자체를 주제로 삼아 그것에 대한 믿음을 표현합니다. 이는 문장의 초점을 미묘하게 조정하는 데 사용될 수 있습니다.
- 1능동태 사용 선호: 한국어는 주어 생략이 자유롭고, 정보를 전달할 때 능동태를 선호하는 경향이 있습니다. 예를 들어,
Reporting Verb Structures
| Structure Type | Subject | Passive Reporting Verb | Connector/Infinitive | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Impersonal
|
It
|
is said / was believed
|
that + clause
|
It is said that he is kind.
|
|
Personal (Present)
|
He / She / They
|
is thought / are known
|
to + infinitive
|
He is thought to be kind.
|
|
Personal (Past)
|
The suspect
|
is alleged
|
to have + past participle
|
He is alleged to have stolen it.
|
|
Personal (Continuous)
|
The team
|
is reported
|
to be + -ing
|
They are reported to be winning.
|
|
Negative Impersonal
|
It
|
is not expected
|
that + clause
|
It is not expected that they win.
|
|
Question Personal
|
Is
|
he known
|
to be + adjective
|
Is he known to be reliable?
|
Meanings
A grammatical structure used to report opinions, rumors, or facts when the specific source of the information is unknown, unimportant, or needs to be distanced from the speaker.
Impersonal Reporting
Using 'It' as a dummy subject to introduce a general belief or news item.
“It is reported that the strike will end tomorrow.”
“It was thought that the earth was flat.”
Personal Subject Reporting
Focusing on a specific person or thing as the subject of the rumor or belief.
“The CEO is said to be resigning next month.”
“The painting is believed to be a forgery.”
Past Reporting
Reporting something that was believed in the past but may not be now.
“He was known to be a difficult boss.”
“It was alleged that he stole the money.”
Reference Table
| 보고 동사 | 패턴 1: 'It is/was/has been...' + that 절 | 패턴 2: 'Subject is/was/has been...' + to + 부정사 |
|---|---|---|
|
Say
|
`It is said that she's a genius.`
|
`She is said to be a genius.`
|
|
Believe
|
`It is believed that the plan will work.`
|
`The plan is believed to work.`
|
|
Think
|
`It is thought that he quit.`
|
`He is thought to have quit.`
|
|
Report
|
`It was reported that the road is closed.`
|
`The road was reported to be closed.`
|
|
Know
|
`It is known that dogs love walks.`
|
`Dogs are known to love walks.`
|
|
Expect
|
`It is expected that prices will rise.`
|
`Prices are expected to rise.`
|
|
Understand
|
`It is understood that she resigned.`
|
`She is understood to have resigned.`
|
|
Claim
|
`It is claimed that the product works.`
|
`The product is claimed to work.`
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
It is widely considered that the company is facing insolvency. (Business discussion)
The company is thought to be failing. (Business discussion)
Word is the company is going under. (Business discussion)
People are saying the company is toast. (Business discussion)
수동태 보고 표현: 언제 사용할까요?
핵심 구조
- `It is said that...` 일반적인 진술
- `Subject is believed to...` 사람/사물에 초점
왜 사용할까요?
- 불분명한 출처 누가 말했는지는 중요하지 않음
- 격식 있는 톤 객관적, 학술적, 뉴스
- 책임 회피 소문, 가십 전달
- 정보에 집중 보고되는 내용이 핵심
흔한 동사
- `say` It is said
- `believe` is believed
- `think` is thought
- `report` was reported
- `expect` is expected
수동태 보고 구조: 'It is...' vs. 'Subject is...' 비교
올바른 수동태 보고 구조 선택하기
일반적인 사실이나 상황을 보고하고 싶나요?
특정 사람이나 사물에 대한 내용을 보고하고 싶나요?
보고되는 동작이 보고 동사와 동시에 일어나거나 미래에 일어나나요?
보고된 동작이 보고 동사보다 이전에 일어났나요?
수동태 보고 동사 및 사용법
일반적인 의견
- • `It is said...`
- • `It is believed...`
- • `It is thought...`
공식 보고
- • `It is reported...`
- • `It is understood...`
- • `It is alleged...`
기대
- • `It is expected...`
- • `He is expected to...`
알려진 사실
- • `It is known...`
- • `She is known to...`
수준별 예문
People say he is rich.
People say he is rich.
They say it is a good movie.
They say it is a good movie.
Everyone says the food is great.
Everyone says the food is great.
My friends say she is nice.
My friends say she is nice.
It is said that he is a hero.
It is said that he is a hero.
It is known that the sun is hot.
It is known that the sun is hot.
It is thought that they are happy.
It is thought that they are happy.
Is it said that the party is at 8?
Is it said that the party is at 8?
The company is expected to grow this year.
The company is expected to grow this year.
It is reported that the road is closed.
It is reported that the road is closed.
He is believed to have stolen the car.
He is believed to have stolen the car.
The team is thought to be the best in the league.
The team is thought to be the best in the league.
The suspect is alleged to have fled the country.
The suspect is alleged to have fled the country.
It is widely assumed that the tax will increase.
It is widely assumed that the tax will increase.
The ruins are considered to be over 2,000 years old.
The ruins are considered to be over 2,000 years old.
She is understood to be working on a new book.
She is understood to be working on a new book.
The policy is rumored to be under review by the committee.
The policy is rumored to be under review by the committee.
It is contended that the data was misinterpreted.
It is contended that the data was misinterpreted.
He is reputed to have been the finest architect of his generation.
He is reputed to have been the finest architect of his generation.
The species was previously thought to have been extinct.
The species was previously thought to have been extinct.
The document is purported to be the original treaty.
The document is purported to be the original treaty.
It is held by many scholars that the text is a later addition.
It is held by many scholars that the text is a later addition.
The CEO is rumored to have been ousted in a boardroom coup.
The CEO is rumored to have been ousted in a boardroom coup.
The findings are expected to be met with significant skepticism.
The findings are expected to be met with significant skepticism.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners often use 'They say' when 'It is said' would be more appropriate for the formal context.
Mixing 'He is said that...' and 'It is said to...'.
Confusing 'He is said to have...' with 'He had his hair cut'.
자주 하는 실수
He says that he is rich.
People say he is rich.
It says that it will rain.
It is said that it will rain.
He is said that he is a genius.
He is said to be a genius.
The thief is believed escaped.
The thief is believed to have escaped.
It is alleged him to be the killer.
He is alleged to be the killer.
문장 패턴
It is ___ that ___.
___ is/are thought to ___.
___ is said to have ___.
It was once believed that ___.
Real World Usage
It is reported that the ceasefire has been signed.
She is rumored to be getting a promotion.
The theory is considered to be outdated.
The suspect is believed to be armed and dangerous.
The temple is said to have been built in a single night.
The new iPhone is expected to have a better camera.
말한 사람보다 정보에 집중!
It was reported that the road is closed.
'to' 뒤 동사 형태 조심!
He is known to be very good at coding.
뉴스나 소문 전달할 때 딱이에요!
Prices are expected to rise.
영어로 격식 있는 톤
It is understood that she resigned.
Smart Tips
Start your sentences with 'It is reported that...' or 'It is understood that...'.
Use 'He is rumored to...' to share a secret without sounding like you are the one who started it.
Use 'It is widely considered that...' instead of 'Many people think...'.
Remember that 'to have' means the action happened *before* the rumor started.
발음
Stress on the Reporting Verb
In the reported passive, the main stress usually falls on the past participle of the reporting verb (said, thought, believed).
The 'to' reduction
In the personal subject structure, the word 'to' is often reduced to a weak 'tuh' sound.
Falling intonation for facts
It is known that the earth is round. ↘
Conveys certainty and finality.
암기하기
기억법
Remember 'IT' for 'Information Total' (It is said that...) and 'S' for 'Specific Subject' (She is said to...).
시각적 연상
Imagine a news anchor behind a desk. When they look at the camera and say 'It is reported...', they are talking to everyone. When they point to a photo of a celebrity and say 'He is rumored...', they are focusing on that person.
Rhyme
If you don't know who said the word, use the passive to be heard.
Story
A detective arrives at a crime scene. He doesn't know who the thief is. He tells the press, 'It is believed that the thief entered through the window.' Later, when they find a suspect, he says, 'The suspect is thought to have hidden the jewels.'
Word Web
챌린지
Write three rumors about your favorite celebrity using 'is said to', 'is rumored to', and 'is thought to'.
문화 노트
Journalists use 'alleged' or 'it is reported' to avoid lawsuits. If they say 'He is a thief' and it's not proven, they can be sued. If they say 'He is alleged to be a thief,' they are just reporting a claim.
British news (like the BBC) uses the reported passive very frequently to maintain a tone of 'impartiality' and 'stiff upper lip' objectivity.
In universities, using 'I think' is often discouraged. Students are taught to use 'It is argued that' or 'It is considered' to make their writing sound more scientific.
The use of the passive voice for distancing comes from Latin legal and academic traditions, which heavily influenced Middle English.
대화 시작하기
What is a famous rumor about a celebrity that is said to be true?
It is reported that robots will take many jobs. What do you think?
Is there a place in your city that is thought to be haunted?
What are some things that were once believed to be true but are now known to be false?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
It ___ that the new student is from Canada.
It is believed that... 구조는 일반적인 현재의 믿음이나 소문을 전달하는 데 올바른 표현이에요.Find and fix the mistake:
The app is said to being updated next week.
To be updated는 미래의 수동적인 동작을 올바르게 보여줍니다.Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Subject is thought to have + 과거분사 구조는 현재 생각되는 시점 이전에 완료된 과거 동작을 올바르게 보고해요.올바른 문장을 고르세요:
It is...that 구조에 대한 수동태 형태인 is reported가 일반적인 뉴스를 보여주는 올바른 표현이에요.Score: /4
연습 문제
8 exercisesIt is _______ (believe) that the company will close next year.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
The thief is thought to escaped through the window.
People say that he lives in New York. -> He _______.
1. People think she is rich. 2. People thought she was rich.
We can use the verb 'want' in the reported passive structure (e.g., 'It is wanted that...').
A: Did you hear about the CEO? B: Yes, she is rumored _______ resigning.
Verbs: say, eat, believe, run, report, sleep.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe new restaurant ___ to open next month.
It is believed the ancient text existed for centuries.
어떤 문장이 올바른가요?
다음 문장을 영어로 번역하세요: 'Se informa que el concierto fue un éxito.'
다음 단어들을 문장으로 배열하세요:
시작 부분을 올바른 끝 부분과 연결하세요:
The celebrity is understood ___ in secret for months.
Many students are expected to will attend the orientation.
올바른 문장을 고르세요:
다음 단어들을 문장으로 배열하세요:
보고 동사를 올바른 부정사 형태와 짝지으세요:
Score: /12
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
No, only verbs related to saying, thinking, or believing (e.g., `say`, `think`, `believe`, `report`, `know`). You can't say `It is eaten that...`.
They mean the same thing, but 'It is said that' focuses on the whole idea, while 'He is said to' focuses on the person.
It's more common in formal speaking (like news) or when sharing rumors. In casual talk, we usually say `I heard that...` or `They say...`.
Use `to have + past participle`. For example: `He is said to have left` means people say he left in the past.
To protect themselves legally. It shows they are reporting a claim, not stating a proven fact.
Yes! `It was said that...` means people used to say it, but maybe they don't anymore.
Yes, but `Rumor has it` is an idiomatic expression, while `It is rumored that` is a standard passive structure.
Mixing the two forms, like saying `He is said that he is...`. Remember: `It` + `that`, `He` + `to`.
Scaffolded Practice
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que...
Spanish lacks the personal subject + passive + to-infinitive structure.
On dit que...
French uses an active subject 'on' instead of a passive 'it'.
Man sagt, dass...
German uses 'man' or 'es wird' rather than personal subject passives.
...to iwarete iru
Japanese word order is different, but the logic of using a passive verb is very similar.
Yuqālu 'anna...
Arabic usually keeps the verb at the start of the sentence.
Jùshuō (据说)
Chinese doesn't use a 'passive' verb form because Chinese verbs don't conjugate for voice.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
관련 동영상
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