C1 Passive & Reported Speech 16 min read Hard

Passive Reporting Structures (He is said to be...)

Mastering these structures makes your English sound authoritative and nuanced, like a true C1 speaker.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

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.
👤 (Subject) + 🗣️ (Passive Verb) + 🔗 (to + Verb)

Overview

People say "He is said to be" in news. It means we do not know the source.

This shows many people believe it. It sounds very professional and smart.

How This Grammar Works

Start with the person you talk about. "People say he is smart" becomes "He is said to be smart."
The person moves to the start. Use "is" or "are" with words like "said" or "believed."
The end shows the time. It tells us if it is now or in the past.
Example: "They say he will arrive" becomes "He is said to arrive." This focuses on him.

Formation Pattern

1
Choose the right words for the time. Use: Person + is said + to + verb.
2
Common words for this:
3
say (is said, are said, was said, were said)
4
believe (is believed, are believed, was believed, were believed)
5
know (is known, are known, was known, were known)
6
think (is thought, are thought, was thought, were thought)
7
report (is reported, are reported, was reported, were reported)
8
Understand (it is understood, they are understood, it was understood).
9
expect (is expected, are expected, was expected, were expected)
10
allege (is alleged, are alleged, was alleged, were alleged)
11
claim (is claimed, are claimed, was claimed, were claimed)
12
consider (is considered, are considered, was considered, were considered)
13
How to choose the right time:
14
1. Reported Action is Simultaneous with or General to the Reporting (Present/Future Action):
15
Use "to" and a simple word for now or always.
16
| People say... | He is said to be... |
17
| :----------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
18
| It is said that he works hard. | He is said to work hard. |
19
| It is believed that she is intelligent. | She is believed to be intelligent. |
20
| It is understood that they are preparing for the exam. | They are understood to be preparing for the exam. |
21
| It is expected that the new policy will succeed. | The new policy is expected to succeed. |
22
Example: The CEO is believed to be in negotiations with a potential buyer. (Present belief, present negotiations)
23
Example: These ancient ruins are known to attract thousands of tourists annually. (Present knowledge, general truth)
24
2. Reported Action Occurred Before the Reporting (Past Action):
25
Use "to have" for things that happened in the past.
26
| People say... | He is said to have... |
27
| :----------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
28
| It is reported that he fled the country. | He is reported to have fled the country. |
29
| It is thought that the document was forged. | The document is thought to have been forged. |
30
| It is alleged that she was embezzling funds. | She is alleged to have been embezzling funds. |
31
| It is claimed that they had finished the project. | They are claimed to have finished the project. |
32
Example: The ancient manuscript is believed to have been written in the 14th century. (Present belief, past writing)
33
Example: The suspect is said to have disappeared without a trace last night. (Present report, past disappearance)
34
3. Reported Action in Passive Voice (Simultaneous or Prior):
35
If something happened to the person, use "to be" or "to have been."
36
| People say... | He is said to be... |
37
| :----------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
38
| It is said that the bridge is being built. | The bridge is said to be being built. |
39
| It is believed that the decision was made yesterday. | The decision is believed to have been made yesterday. |
40
Some forms sound very strange. It is better to use "People say" for those.
41
Summary of Infinitive Choices:
42
| Time | Form | Example |
43
| :------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
44
| Now | to + verb | He is believed to have skills. |
45
| Now | to be + -ing | They are understood to be living there. |
46
| Before | to have + verb | They are reported to have won. |
47
| Before | to have been | He is believed to have been good. |

When To Use It

These sentences sound formal. They help you speak like a professional.
  • Formal and Academic Writing: These structures are ubiquitous in academic papers, scientific reports, and news articles. They allow you to present data, theories, or findings as generally accepted or widely reported facts, lending an air of objectivity and intellectual rigor. By avoiding personal pronouns (I believe) or direct attribution (Dr. Smith said), the focus remains on the information itself rather than the conveyor.
  • Example: The newly discovered gene is believed to play a critical role in cellular regeneration.
  • Example: The economic downturn is understood to be a consequence of multiple global factors.
  • Reporting Unconfirmed Information or Rumours: When you need to share information that has not been officially verified, or when the source wishes to remain anonymous, passive reporting provides a convenient grammatical 'shield'. It allows you to disseminate information without personally vouching for its absolute truth.
  • Example: The acquisition of the rival firm is rumored to be finalized by the end of the quarter.
  • Example: She is alleged to have been involved in the data breach, though no charges have been filed.
  • Conveying General Opinions or Beliefs: For widespread sentiments or common knowledge that doesn't originate from a single identifiable source, these structures efficiently encapsulate collective thought. This is particularly useful when discussing public perception or widely held assumptions.
  • Example: Eating a balanced diet is known to contribute significantly to long-term health.
  • Example: The new art installation is said to have divided critics.
  • Conciseness and Stylistic Elegance: Compared to the It is said that... construction, raising the subject to the main clause (He is said to be...) often results in a more streamlined and impactful sentence. This improves readability and maintains a sophisticated tone, avoiding the slightly more informal feel of directly reporting general opinion.
  • Consider the economy: It is thought that the manager made a mistake. vs. The manager is thought to have made a mistake. The latter is more direct and concise while maintaining objectivity.
  • Professional Communication: In professional settings, such as business meetings or official communications, these structures help maintain a professional distance and present information cautiously. They are a staple of polite and indirect reporting, particularly when discussing sensitive topics or potential future developments.
  • Example (work email): The revised budget figures are projected to be available by Tuesday afternoon.
English speakers use this to be careful. It is important for news and law.

Common Mistakes

These are hard. Watch the time words carefully to avoid mistakes.
  • Incorrect Infinitive Tense/Aspect: This is by far the most frequent and significant error. Learners often struggle to match the infinitive's timing to the original reported action. Remember, the infinitive's tense relates to the time of the reported event, not the time of the reporting verb.
  • Incorrect: He is said to win the lottery last year. (Reports a past action with a present infinitive).
  • Correct: He is said to have won the lottery last year. (Perfect infinitive for a past action).
  • Incorrect: The company is expected to grow significantly in the past. (A future infinitive with a past context).
  • Correct: The company was expected to have grown significantly by then. (Perfect infinitive for a past expectation of a prior past growth).
  • Omitting to Before the Infinitive: A simple but common oversight that renders the sentence ungrammatical.
  • Incorrect: She is believed be a talented artist.
  • Correct: She is believed to be a talented artist.
  • Confusion with It is said that...: While related, these structures serve different emphasis. It is said that... focuses on the general statement itself, while He is said to be... foregrounds the person or thing being discussed.
  • It is believed that the market will recover. (Focus on the belief as a general statement).
  • The market is believed to recover. (Incorrect if recover refers to a future event; The market is believed to be recovering for present continuous, or The market is believed to recover soon for future expectation with adverb).
  • The market is believed to be recovering. (Correct, present continuous action).
  • The market is believed to have recovered. (Correct, past action).
  • Using an Active Verb Where Passive is Required: Attempting to use an active reporting verb with the subject-raising structure. The Subject + Passive Reporting Verb + Infinitive pattern requires the reporting verb to be passive.
  • Incorrect: People say him to be intelligent. (This is not the target structure; it's an awkward direct object + infinitive construction, if even acceptable).
  • Correct (for this pattern): He is said to be intelligent.
  • Inappropriate Reporting Verbs: Not all reporting verbs can be readily used in this structure. Stick to the established list (say, believe, know, think, report, understand, expect, allege, claim, consider). Verbs like suggest, insist, or advise typically require different constructions (e.g., It was suggested that he should... or He was advised to...).
  • Overgeneralization of to be Omission: While to be can sometimes be omitted after verbs like consider, elect, appoint, make, call when followed by a noun or adjective (He is considered brilliant), this is not a universal rule for all passive reporting verbs. For verbs like say or believe, to be is almost always essential when linking to a state or description.
  • He is considered (to be) an expert. (Both correct).
  • He is said an expert. (Incorrect).
  • He is said to be an expert. (Correct).

Real Conversations

Far from being confined to academic journals or newsrooms, passive reporting structures are integral to nuanced daily communication. They appear across various registers, from formal professional exchanges to more casual, yet refined, interactions.

- Professional Meetings/Emails: In a business context, these structures foster professionalism and objectivity, especially when relaying information that isn't definitive or directly attributed.

- The project deadline is anticipated to be extended by two weeks due to unforeseen technical challenges. (Formal email)

- The market trends are understood to indicate a slight recovery in the coming quarter. (Team meeting)

- Our new privacy policy is expected to be implemented across all platforms by the end of the month. (Internal memo)

- Academic Discussions/Presentations: Essential for presenting research, contrasting theories, or discussing generally accepted principles without sounding didactic or overly personal.

- The findings of the recent study are considered to support the hypothesis that early intervention is crucial. (Conference presentation)

- Historically, these philosophical ideas were believed to influence subsequent intellectual movements. (Lecture)

- News and Current Affairs: Beyond formal news reports, these structures permeate news analyses, documentaries, and even political commentary, allowing for subtle editorializing or the reporting of unverified claims.

- The prime minister is rumored to be preparing for an early election. (Political commentary podcast)

- The ancient artefact is alleged to have been smuggled out of the country decades ago. (Documentary narration)

- Social Media/Online Discussions (with a sophisticated tone): While less common in casual texting, these structures can add a sophisticated touch to online discussions, particularly when discussing public opinion, trends, or critical reviews.

- This new indie film is said to be a masterpiece, generating significant buzz. (Film review on a blog)

- The latest software update is widely reported to have resolved many long-standing bugs. (Tech forum discussion)

- Casual Conversation (for imparting a sense of objectivity or distance): Even in informal settings, strategically using these structures can make your speech sound more refined or less like gossip.

- Did you hear? Sarah is believed to be moving to London next year. (Sharing news with a friend, implying it's common knowledge rather than a personal secret).

- That new restaurant on High Street is said to have the best vegan options in the city. (Relaying a popular opinion about a local business).

These real-world examples demonstrate the adaptability and pervasive nature of passive reporting structures. They are not merely grammatical curiosities but active tools in shaping how information is presented and perceived in diverse communicative contexts.

Quick FAQ

Learn how to use 'He is said to be' correctly.
Q: What is the primary difference between It is said that... and He is said to be...?

Both are passive reporting structures. It is said that... places emphasis on the general statement or fact itself. The it is an empty subject. He is said to be..., conversely, promotes the person or thing being reported about to the grammatical subject of the sentence, making the sentence more focused and often more concise. For instance, It is said that he is a brilliant scientist focuses on the general statement. He is said to be a brilliant scientist focuses on he and his attributed quality.

Q: Can to be be omitted after is considered? For example, He is considered brilliant vs. He is considered to be brilliant.

Yes, frequently. After certain verbs like consider, elect, appoint, make, call, and find, the to be can often be omitted, especially when followed by an adjective or a simple noun phrase. Both He is considered brilliant and He is considered to be brilliant are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. However, with many other passive reporting verbs (e.g., say, believe, report), to be is usually essential when describing a state or quality (He is said to be rich, not He is said rich).

Is this way better than saying 'People say that'?

People say that... is a perfectly valid and grammatically correct way to report information. However, the passive reporting structure (He is said to be...) offers specific advantages that People say that... does not. It provides greater formality, objectivity, and distance from the source. It is often preferred in formal writing because it avoids specifying an agent (people), making the statement sound more universally accepted or formally reported. It also creates a more concise sentence structure in many cases.

Can we use this to talk about the future?

Absolutely. When the reported action is expected in the future, you typically use the simple infinitive (to + base verb). For example, The new legislation is expected to be approved next month. or She is anticipated to arrive tomorrow morning. The timing of the infinitive always reflects the future nature of the reported event relative to the present moment of reporting.

How do I pick words like 'to be' or 'to have'?

The choice of infinitive form depends entirely on the timing and aspect of the original reported action or state relative to the main reporting verb.

  • If the reported action/state is happening at the same time as the reporting, or is a general truth, use the simple infinitive (to be, to + base verb).
  • If the reported action/state happened before the reporting, use the perfect infinitive (to have been, to have + past participle).
Think about the time. Did it happen now or before?

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.

1

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.”

2

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.”

3

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

Reference table for Passive Reporting Structures (He is said to be...)
Form Structure Example
Impersonal (Affirmative)
It + is + [past part.] + that + clause
It is said that he is a genius.
Impersonal (Negative)
It + is + not + [past part.] + that + clause
It is not thought that the plan will work.
Personal (Affirmative)
Subject + is + [past part.] + to + infinitive
He is said to be a genius.
Personal (Negative)
Subject + is + not + [past part.] + to + infinitive
The plan is not thought to be effective.
Personal (Past Action)
Subject + is + [past part.] + to have + [past part.]
He is said to have won the lottery.
Personal (Continuous)
Subject + is + [past part.] + to be + [verb-ing]
She is thought to be hiding.
Question (Impersonal)
Is it + [past part.] + that + clause?
Is it believed that they are coming?
Question (Personal)
Is + subject + [past part.] + to + infinitive?
Is he said to be a good boss?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
He is reputed to possess considerable wealth.

He is reputed to possess considerable wealth. (Financial status)

Neutral
He is said to be very rich.

He is said to be very rich. (Financial status)

Informal
Word is he's loaded.

Word is he's loaded. (Financial status)

Slang
I heard he's got mad stacks.

I heard he's got mad stacks. (Financial status)

Passive Reporting Functions

Passive Reporting

Journalism

  • Objectivity Reporting facts without bias

Legal

  • Allegations Claims before proof

Academic

  • Theories Widely held scientific beliefs

Active vs. Passive Reporting

Active (Informal)
People say he is rich. Focus on 'People'
Passive (Formal)
He is said to be rich. Focus on 'He'

Choosing the Structure

1

Do you want to start with 'It'?

YES
Use: It is said that...
NO
Start with the person/thing.
2

Is the action in the past?

YES
Use: to have + past participle
NO
Use: to + base verb

Common Reporting Verbs

🧠

Belief

  • • think
  • • believe
  • • consider
  • • understand
💬

Speech

  • • say
  • • report
  • • claim
  • • allege
⏳

Expectation

  • • expect
  • • suppose
  • • rumor
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

People say he is a good doctor.

2

They think the movie is long.

3

Everyone says the food is great.

4

I hear he is from Italy.

1

It is said that the city is beautiful.

2

People believe that he is very rich.

3

It is thought that the test is hard.

4

They say that she is a famous singer.

1

It is reported that the weather will be bad.

2

He is said to be a very kind man.

3

It is believed that the fire started in the kitchen.

4

The company is thought to be very successful.

1

The athlete is expected to win the gold medal.

2

It is claimed that the new drug has no side effects.

3

The painting is believed to be a genuine Picasso.

4

He is rumored to have resigned from his post.

1

The CEO is alleged to have been embezzling funds for years.

2

It is widely understood that the treaty is no longer valid.

3

The species was thought to have gone extinct in the 19th century.

4

The manuscript is reputed to be the oldest in existence.

1

The diplomat is purported to have acted as a double agent during the war.

2

It is surmised that the civilization collapsed due to prolonged drought.

3

The author is widely held to have revolutionized the modern novel.

4

The suspect is reported to be evading capture in the mountains.

Easily Confused

Passive Reporting Structures (He is said to be...) vs Supposed to vs. Said to

Learners often use 'supposed to' when they mean 'said to'. 'Supposed to' often implies an obligation or a failed expectation.

Passive Reporting Structures (He is said to be...) vs It is said that vs. He is said to

Mixing the 'that' clause with the 'to' infinitive.

Passive Reporting Structures (He is said to be...) vs Passive vs. Active Reporting

Using 'People say' in a formal essay.

Common Mistakes

✗

He say he is happy.

✓

He says he is happy.

Subject-verb agreement error.
✗

People is say he is rich.

✓

People say he is rich.

Incorrect use of 'be' with active verbs.
✗

They thinks it is good.

✓

They think it is good.

Adding -s to plural subjects.
✗

I am hear he is nice.

✓

I hear he is nice.

Using 'am' unnecessarily.
✗

It said that he is rich.

✓

It is said that he is rich.

Missing the auxiliary 'be' in passive.
✗

He is say to be rich.

✓

He is said to be rich.

Using base form instead of past participle.
✗

It is thought he rich.

✓

It is thought that he is rich.

Missing the 'that' or the verb in the clause.
✗

He is said that he is rich.

✓

He is said to be rich.

Mixing the impersonal and personal structures.
✗

It is believed to be rich.

✓

He is believed to be rich.

Using 'It' as a subject for a personal attribute.
✗

He is thought have left.

✓

He is thought to have left.

Missing 'to' in the infinitive.
✗

He is alleged to steal the money yesterday.

✓

He is alleged to have stolen the money yesterday.

Using simple infinitive for a past action.
✗

It is reported the company to be closing.

✓

The company is reported to be closing.

Incorrect structure for reporting ongoing actions.
✗

He is understood to being working hard.

✓

He is understood to be working hard.

Using 'being' instead of 'be' for continuous infinitive.
✗

The suspect is claimed to have been escaped.

✓

The suspect is claimed to have escaped.

Unnecessary passive inside the infinitive (escaped is intransitive).

Sentence Patterns

It is ___ that ___.

Subject is said to ___.

Subject is thought to have ___.

Subject is alleged to have been ___.

Real World Usage

News Headlines constant

Local Man Said to Be Missing After Storm

Academic Journals very common

The results are thought to indicate a shift in climate patterns.

Legal Proceedings constant

The defendant is alleged to have committed the robbery.

Office Gossip common

She's rumored to be getting a promotion.

Travel Announcements occasional

The flight is expected to be delayed.

History Books very common

The king was believed to have died in battle.

Sign up free to see all examples
🎯

Use for Objectivity

In essays, use 'It is often claimed that...' to introduce an argument you disagree with. It makes you sound more academic and less aggressive.
⚠️

Avoid Overuse

Don't use these in every sentence. Overusing passive reporting can make your writing feel 'heavy' and hard to read. Mix them with active sentences.
💡

Check the Time

Always ask: 'When did the reported action happen?' If it was before the reporting, use 'to have + past participle'.
💬

Journalistic Safety

If you work in media, 'alleged' is your best friend. It protects you from legal trouble when reporting on crimes.

Smart Tips

Switch to 'It is widely believed that...' or 'It is often claimed that...'.

People say that technology is bad for kids. → It is often claimed that technology has a detrimental effect on children.

Always use 'to have + past participle'.

He is said to be a hero in the war. → He is said to have been a hero in the war.

Use 'rumored to' or 'alleged to' to protect yourself from sounding like you're stating a fact.

He stole the money. → He is alleged to have stolen the money.

Check for 'that' immediately after the reporting verb.

It is said him to be a doctor. → It is said that he is a doctor.

Pronunciation

/hiː ɪz sed tə biː rɪtʃ/

Weak form of 'to'

In the personal structure, the word 'to' is usually unstressed and pronounced as a schwa /tə/.

It is be-LIEVED that...

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.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember 'IT' for the whole sentence (It is said that...), and 'TO' for the person (He is said TO...).

Visual Association

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

allegepurportreputerumorclaimunderstandsuppose

Challenge

Write three sentences about a famous celebrity using 'is said to be', 'is thought to have', and 'is rumored to be doing'.

Cultural Notes

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.

Conversation Starters

“

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.

Journal Prompts

Write a short news report about a fictional bank robbery. Use at least three different passive reporting verbs.
Describe a local legend or myth from your hometown using formal reporting structures.
Write a formal critique of a popular movie, using distancing language to discuss its reception.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Choose the correct form to complete the sentence. Multiple Choice

The CEO is believed ______ the company last night.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to have left
Since the action (leaving) happened in the past (last night), we must use the perfect infinitive 'to have left'.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'say'.

It ______ that the new law will be passed next week.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is said
This is the impersonal passive structure: It + is + past participle.
Identify the error in the following sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

He is thought that he is the best player in the team.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He is thought to be
You cannot use a 'that' clause immediately after 'He is thought'. You must use a 'to' infinitive.
Rewrite the sentence starting with 'The suspect'. Sentence Transformation

People believe that the suspect is hiding in the woods.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The suspect is believed to be hiding in the woods.
The personal structure uses Subject + is believed + to be [verb-ing] for continuous actions.
Is the following statement true or false? True False Rule

The structure 'It is said that...' is more informal than 'People say...'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Passive reporting structures are more formal and objective than active ones.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Have you heard about the new manager? B: Yes, he ______ very strict.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is said to be
The personal structure 'is said to be' is the natural way to report a rumor about a person.
Which of these verbs can be used in a passive reporting structure? Grammar Sorting

Select the correct group.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: think, believe, say, claim
Only reporting/mental state verbs can be used in these structures.
Match the active sentence to its passive reporting equivalent. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-He is said to be rich; 2-He is thought to have been rich.
The first is present, the second is past reporting.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence. Multiple Choice

The CEO is believed ______ the company last night.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to have left
Since the action (leaving) happened in the past (last night), we must use the perfect infinitive 'to have left'.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'say'.

It ______ that the new law will be passed next week.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is said
This is the impersonal passive structure: It + is + past participle.
Identify the error in the following sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

He is thought that he is the best player in the team.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He is thought to be
You cannot use a 'that' clause immediately after 'He is thought'. You must use a 'to' infinitive.
Rewrite the sentence starting with 'The suspect'. Sentence Transformation

People believe that the suspect is hiding in the woods.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The suspect is believed to be hiding in the woods.
The personal structure uses Subject + is believed + to be [verb-ing] for continuous actions.
Is the following statement true or false? True False Rule

The structure 'It is said that...' is more informal than 'People say...'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Passive reporting structures are more formal and objective than active ones.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Have you heard about the new manager? B: Yes, he ______ very strict.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is said to be
The personal structure 'is said to be' is the natural way to report a rumor about a person.
Which of these verbs can be used in a passive reporting structure? Grammar Sorting

Select the correct group.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: think, believe, say, claim
Only reporting/mental state verbs can be used in these structures.
Match the active sentence to its passive reporting equivalent. Match Pairs

1. People say he is rich. 2. People think he was rich.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-He is said to be rich; 2-He is thought to have been rich.
The first is present, the second is past reporting.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Complete the sentence with the correct passive reporting verb and infinitive. Fill in the Blank

The ancient scroll ___ to contain secret knowledge.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is believed
Complete the sentence with the correct passive reporting structure. Fill in the Blank

The suspect ___ the country before the police arrived.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is thought to have fled
Identify and correct the error in the sentence. Error Correction

The new building is expected finished next month.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The new building is expected to be finished next month.
Correct the grammatical mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

He is said to being a brilliant scientist, but he retired last year.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He is said to have been a brilliant scientist, but he retired last year.
Select the sentence that uses the correct passive reporting structure. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The climate is believed to be changing rapidly.
Choose the grammatically correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Select the correct option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The ancient manuscript is thought to have been written by a monk.
Translate the following sentence into English using a passive reporting structure. Translation

Translate into English: 'Se dice que el concierto ha sido cancelado.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["The concert is said to have been cancelled.","It is said that the concert has been cancelled."]
Translate the sentence, focusing on the passive reporting structure. Translation

Translate into English: 'Se cree que el sospechoso estaba mintiendo durante el interrogatorio.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["The suspect is believed to have been lying during the interrogation."]
Put the words in order to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She is said to be smart.
Rearrange the words to make a grammatically correct passive reporting sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The goods are reported to have been smuggled across the border.
Match the passive reporting structure with its appropriate infinitive form based on timing. Match Pairs

Match the sentences with the correct infinitive endings:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Match the beginning of the sentence with the correct passive reporting clause. Match Pairs

Complete the sentences by matching the halves.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched

Score: /12

FAQ (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

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Se dice que... / Se cree que...

Spanish prefers the 'It is said that' equivalent almost exclusively.

French moderate

On dit que... / Il est dit que...

English 'He is said to' must be translated as 'On dit qu'il...' in French.

German high

Man sagt... / Er soll ... sein

German uses the modal 'sollen' to express 'is said to'.

Japanese high

...to iwarete iru (〜と言われている)

The structure is very similar, but Japanese word order is Subject-Object-Verb.

Arabic moderate

Yuqal 'anna... (يُقال أن)

Arabic rarely uses a personal infinitive structure for reporting.

Chinese low

Jùshuō (据说)

Chinese uses a lexical marker (Jùshuō) rather than a grammatical passive construction.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Advanced Passive: Reporting Rumors & Beliefs (He is said to be...)
Next
Reported Questions with Question Words (Who, What, Why)

Learn These First

B1 Requires

Passive Voice: Basic Formation (be + V3)

Overview When you describe actions in English, you typically focus on who or what performs the action. This is called t...
B1 Requires

English Verbs Followed by Infinitive (want to, need to)

Overview English grammar presents fascinating patterns for expressing actions. One fundamental structure, particularly i...

Continue With

C1 Requires

Passive Gerunds: Being (receiving the action)

Overview The passive gerund, formed by `being` + the **past participle** of a main verb, is a sophisticated grammatical...

Related Videos

The Horror of the Slaver Ant 08:59

The Horror of the Slaver Ant
The Future of AI is Open [Advertiser content from IBM] 04:50

The Future of AI is Open [Advertiser content from IBM]
America's Worst Flag Gets a Redesign 06:58

America's Worst Flag Gets a Redesign
Passive Reporting Verbs in English | IT IS SAID THAT, IT IS THOUGHT THAT 7:37 YouTube

Passive Reporting Verbs in English | IT IS SAID THAT, IT IS THOUGHT THAT

Oxford English Now
PASSIVE VOICE - English Grammar step-by-step 12:30 YouTube

PASSIVE VOICE - English Grammar step-by-step

Arnel's Everyday English

Related Grammar Rules

B1

Passive Voice for Objectivity: 'It is said that...'

Overview English grammar provides specific structures to report information without identifying the source, or to emphas...
C1

Reported Speech with Modals & Passive Reporting (C1)

Overview Mastering reported speech with modals and passive reporting structures marks a significant step towards C1-leve...
B1

Reporting Verbs: Who Said What?

Overview Reporting verbs are essential linguistic tools that enable you to relay information or summarise statements, qu...
B1

When to Use Passive Voice (Reporting News & Rumors)

Overview The passive voice in English serves various crucial communicative functions, particularly when the agent of an...
B1

The Passive Voice: Focus on Actions (Present Simple Passive)

Overview The passive voice is a fundamental grammatical structure in English, allowing you to shift emphasis within a se...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!