Passive Voice for Objectivity: 'It is said that...'
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.'
Overview
You can share news without saying who said it.
Use this for things people say, think, or know.
This sounds serious like the news. It sounds very fair.
You can talk about rumors. It makes the news important.
How This Grammar Works
- 1Impersonal
Itconstruction:It + passive reporting verb + that-clause
It is believed that exercise improves mental health. (The general belief is paramount.)
- 1Subject-raising construction:
Subject + passive reporting verb + to-infinitive
'Exercise is believed to be good.' This focuses on exercise.
Formation Pattern
It was said/believed/known that... | It was believed that the earth was flat. | People believed that the earth was flat. |
It has been reported that... | It has been reported that sales are up. | Authorities have reported that sales are up.|
It is known that eating vegetables is good for you. (Present simple reporting of a general truth.)
It was rumored that the festival would be cancelled. (Past simple reporting of a past rumor.)
It has been estimated that the project will cost millions. (Present perfect reporting of a current estimate.)
People say that he is rich.
He is said to be rich.
People believed that she stole the money.
She was believed to have stolen the money.
They think that he is working late.
He is thought to be working late.
It is reported that he has been studying all night.
He is reported to have been studying all night.
is/are) | to be | He is said to be a talented musician. | People say that he is a talented musician. |
was/were, V2) | to have been / to have V3 | She is believed to have left the country. | People believe that she left the country. |
The new policy is expected to increase efficiency. (Original: They expect that the new policy will increase efficiency. – to increase implies future action relative to reporting.)
When To Use It
- 1For General Knowledge or Widespread Opinions:
It is known that bees are vital for pollination.(A scientific fact universally accepted.)The new software is considered to be a significant improvement.(A widespread opinion among users or critics.)It is believed that patience is a virtue.(A common proverb or moral lesson.)
- 1In Formal Writing and News Reporting:
It is reported that the national economy grew by 2% last quarter.(News headline, presenting official data.)The proposed legislation is expected to face strong opposition.(Political analysis, predicting a future event based on general sentiment.)It has been alleged that several officials were involved in the scandal.(Legal reporting, indicating an accusation without confirming guilt.)
- 1To Avoid Naming a Source (Politely or Strategically):
It is understood that the meeting has been postponed until Friday.(An internal memo or email where the exact person who made the decision is not crucial, or is already implied.)He is believed to have resigned due to personal reasons.(Reporting an unconfirmed departure, where the specific source of the belief is not stated.)It is said that there's a secret tunnel under the old castle.(A common local legend or piece of folklore where the origin is lost to time.)
- 1To Distance Yourself from the Information:
It is rumored that the company is planning a major acquisition.(You are reporting a rumor, not confirming it.)She is thought to be difficult to work with.(You are reporting a perception others have, not necessarily your own direct opinion.)It was once claimed that the moon was made of cheese.(Referring to an old, now disproven, belief without endorsing it.)
Common Mistakes
- 1Omitting the
beverb:
- Incorrect:
It said that the project is on track. - Correct:
It is said that the project is on track. - Why it's wrong:
It saidimpliesItis the agent performing the action of saying, which is grammatically incoherent here asItis an impersonal subject.
- 1Incorrect
to-infinitivetense:
- Incorrect:
He is believed to escape yesterday.(The escape happened in the past, butto escapeimplies present or future.) - Correct:
He is believed to have escaped yesterday.(The perfect infinitiveto have escapedcorrectly places the escape in the past relative to the present belief.) - Why it's wrong: A mismatch in infinitive tense distorts the temporal meaning, making the sentence confusing or simply wrong. Remember,
to have + past participleindicates an action completed before the time of the main verb.
- 1Including
by peopleorby them:
- Incorrect:
It is known that the Earth is round by everyone. - Correct:
It is known that the Earth is round. - Why it's wrong: The structure itself implies a general or unspecified agent. Explicitly stating
by everyoneis unnecessary and contradictory to the impersonal nature.
- 1Using non-reporting verbs:
- Incorrect:
It is eaten that apples are healthy.(eatis not a reporting verb.) - Correct:
It is said that apples are healthy.ORApples are known to be healthy. - Why it's wrong: The structure is specifically for communicating reported information, not for general actions.
- 1Confusing the two patterns:
- Incorrect:
It is said him to be a good leader.(MixesIt is said that...with elements ofHe is said to be...) - Correct:
It is said that he is a good leader.ORHe is said to be a good leader. - Why it's wrong: Each pattern has a distinct syntactic structure. Combining them incorrectly creates an ungrammatical hybrid.
Real Conversations
The impersonal passive, while formal, isn't confined to textbooks. You'll encounter and use it in various real-world situations, adapting its formality slightly to the context. Its utility extends from formal reports to casual social media discussions.
1. Academic/Professional Context (Email/Meeting):
When discussing official matters or collaborative projects, this structure maintains professionalism and implies consensus or established facts.
- Work Email:
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.
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.”
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.”
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
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
It + is + V3 + that...
|
It is believed that he is innocent.
|
|
Negative
|
It + is not + V3 + that...
|
It is not thought that they will arrive today.
|
|
Question
|
Is it + V3 + that...?
|
Is it known that she is leaving?
|
|
Past Affirmative
|
It + was + V3 + that...
|
It was rumored that the king was ill.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
It + has been + V3 + that...
|
It has been reported that the fire is out.
|
|
With Modals
|
It + must be + V3 + that...
|
It must be said that he tried his best.
|
Formality Spectrum
It is widely believed that the corporation is facing insolvency. (Business news)
It is thought that the company is going out of business. (Business news)
It's said that the shop is closing down. (Business news)
Word is the place is toast. (Business news)
Common Reporting Verbs
Thoughts
- thought thought
- believed believed
- considered considered
Speech
- said said
- reported reported
- claimed claimed
Active vs. Impersonal Passive
Is it an Impersonal Passive?
Does it start with 'It'?
Is there a 'be' verb + V3?
Is there a 'that' clause?
Examples by Level
It is said that he is a good doctor.
It is thought that today is a holiday.
It is known that water is important.
It is believed that they are happy.
It was said that the movie was boring.
It is reported that the train is late.
It is expected that the weather will be nice.
It is not thought that he will win.
It is rumored that the CEO is resigning.
It is widely believed that the economy is improving.
It is estimated that the project will cost millions.
It is suggested that we start the meeting early.
It has been argued that social media is addictive.
It is often claimed that money cannot buy happiness.
It is alleged that the company avoided paying taxes.
It is understood that the two parties have reached an agreement.
It is postulated that the universe is constantly expanding.
It is commonly surmised that the author wrote the book in exile.
It is feared that the conflict could escalate further.
It is acknowledged that the previous policy was a failure.
It is widely contended that the socio-economic ramifications were underestimated.
It is tentatively suggested that the findings may be biased.
It is frequently asserted that the traditional family structure is evolving.
It is rumored, albeit without substantial evidence, that the treaty will be vetoed.
Easily Confused
Learners mix the 'that' clause with the 'to' infinitive.
Using active voice for general rumors.
Common Mistakes
Is said that he is nice.
It is said that he is nice.
It says that he is nice.
It is said that he is nice.
It is say that the rain will stop.
It is said that the rain will stop.
It is thought the movie is good.
It is thought that the movie is good.
It is believed him to be rich.
It is believed that he is rich.
It was reported that the fire starts at 10.
It was reported that the fire started at 10.
It is alleged the suspect to have stolen the car.
It is alleged that the suspect stole the car.
Sentence Patterns
It is ___ that ___.
It is widely ___ that ___.
Real World Usage
It is reported that the storm will reach the coast by midnight.
It is rumored that Sarah is getting a promotion.
It is argued that the industrial revolution changed social structures.
It is alleged that the contract was breached on June 5th.
It is expected to rain later today.
It is thought that the city was abandoned due to drought.
The News Anchor Test
Don't Drop the 'It'
Use Adverbs
Polite Disagreement
Smart Tips
Swap them for 'It is thought that' or 'It is believed that' to instantly boost your academic tone.
Use 'It is rumored that' to distance yourself from the gossip.
Remember that 'It says' is for written words, but 'It is said' is for spoken beliefs.
Use 'It is reported that' to introduce your main facts.
Pronunciation
Weak 'It is'
In natural speech, 'It is' is often reduced to 'It's' or the 'is' becomes very short.
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.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
IT IS SAID: Information Transferred Is Simply Stated As Indirect Data.
Visual Association
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.
Word Web
Challenge
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.
Cultural Notes
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.
Conversation Starters
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?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
It ___ (believe) that the ancient city was very large.
Find and fix the mistake:
Is said that the coffee here is the best in town.
Choose the best option for an academic essay.
People say that he lives in a castle.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
You can use 'It is said that' with any verb, like 'It is eaten that'.
A: Why is everyone leaving the office? B: ___ that there is a fire drill.
rumored / that / is / it / is / she / leaving
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesIt ___ (believe) that the ancient city was very large.
Find and fix the mistake:
Is said that the coffee here is the best in town.
Choose the best option for an academic essay.
People say that he lives in a castle.
Match the following:
You can use 'It is said that' with any verb, like 'It is eaten that'.
A: Why is everyone leaving the office? B: ___ that there is a fire drill.
rumored / that / is / it / is / she / leaving
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe ancient ruins ___ thought to be thousands of years old.
Choose the correct sentence:
The project leader is expected complete the report by Friday.
Translate into English: 'Se sabe que la película ganó varios premios.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentence halves:
The new AI tool ___ (expect) to revolutionize data analysis.
Choose the correct sentence:
The new policy is considered being unfair by some employees.
Translate into English: 'Se creía que el tesoro estaba escondido en la cueva.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentences:
Score: /12
FAQ (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
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que...
English uses a passive verb; Spanish uses a reflexive pronoun.
On dit que...
French uses an active verb with an indefinite subject.
Man sagt, dass...
German prefers the indefinite pronoun 'man'.
...to iwarete iru
Japanese word order is reversed, but the passive logic is similar.
Yuqālu 'anna...
Arabic does not need a dummy subject like 'It'.
Jùshuō...
Chinese uses a fixed phrase rather than a conjugated passive verb.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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