Passive Voice: Reporting Verbs (It is said that...)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use reporting verbs in the passive to share information without naming a specific source, creating a formal, objective tone.
- Use 'It + passive verb + that' for general claims: 'It is said that he is rich.'
- Use 'Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive' for specific focus: 'He is said to be rich.'
- Common verbs include: say, think, believe, consider, report, and claim.
Overview
You can say what people think. You do not name them. This is good for news.
This helps you speak better and more clearly.
The news is the most important part. It is not about who says it.
You can say: He is said to be smart. This sounds professional.
Use words like say, think, or believe. This helps you sound polite.
How This Grammar Works
Formation Pattern
It is said that he works too hard. |
It was believed that the project was flawed. |
It is expected that prices will rise. |
It has been reported that the storm has passed. |
They say he is ill.
He is said to be ill.
They expect she will arrive soon.
She is expected to arrive soon.
People believe he stole the money.
He is believed to have stolen the money.
They know she completed the task.
She is known to have completed the task.
They thought he was waiting outside.
He was thought to be waiting outside.
We believe he has been working all night.
He is believed to have been working all night.
He is thought to be honest. |
The CEO was reported to have resigned yesterday. |
The building is believed to be unsafe. |
She was known to have left early. |
When To Use It
- Formal and Objective Reporting: This is the most common application, particularly in news, academic writing, and official statements. When you need to present facts or conclusions in an impartial manner, without introducing the bias or perspective of a specific reporter, the passive voice is invaluable. It lends an air of authority and generality to the information.
It is reported that the new policy will take effect next month.(Rather thanThe government reported...)The findings are believed to contradict previous research.(Common in scientific papers, avoidingWe believe...)
- Distancing and Diplomacy: Sometimes, you may wish to present information without fully endorsing its truth, or to avoid direct attribution, especially in sensitive situations. The passive voice allows for this diplomatic ambiguity. It enables you to relay what has been stated or thought, without necessarily taking personal responsibility for its accuracy.
Mistakes were said to have occurred during the previous administration.(A common political phrasing to acknowledge issues without assigning specific blame.)It is understood that your concerns have been noted.(A polite way to acknowledge input without promising immediate action.)
- General Knowledge or Common Beliefs: When a piece of information is widely accepted, or a specific fact is common knowledge, there's no need to name an individual source. The passive reporting structure indicates that the information is generally known or considered true by many.
It is known that regular exercise improves mental health.(A universally accepted fact.)She is considered one of the leading experts in her field.(Reflects a widespread opinion about her expertise.)
- When the Agent is Obvious or Irrelevant: In many contexts, the identity of the person or group doing the reporting is self-evident or simply not important to the message. The passive voice streamlines the sentence by omitting this unnecessary detail, keeping the focus on the information itself.
The suspect is alleged to have fled the scene.(In a police report, the police are the implied reporters, making explicit mention redundant.)It is expected that the train will be delayed.(The train company is the obvious source of this announcement.)
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the Two Patterns: A frequent error involves mixing elements of the impersonal (
It is said that...) and personal (Subject is said to...) passive forms. Remember,Ittakes athat-clause, while a specific subject takes ato-infinitive. - Incorrect:
He is said that he is a talented musician.(Incorrectly combinesSubject + is saidwith athat-clause.) - Correct:
It is said that he is a talented musician.(Impersonal, general statement.) - Correct:
He is said to be a talented musician.(Personal, focuses onhe.)
- Incorrect Infinitive Form after
to: Theto-infinitiveform must accurately reflect the tense of the original reported action. Learners sometimes default toto beeven when a past action is implied, requiringto have beenorto have + past participle. - Incorrect:
She is believed to leave early yesterday.(The infinitiveto leavedoesn't convey past action.) - Correct:
She is believed to have left early yesterday.(The perfect infinitiveto have leftcorrectly indicates a past action.) - Incorrect:
They were thought to work on the project for months.(Fails to convey continuous past action.) - Correct:
They were thought to have been working on the project for months.
- Overuse and Inappropriate Formality: While powerful, these structures sound formal. Using them in casual conversation can make your speech sound unnatural or overly stiff. For instance, explaining a personal anecdote with
It is alleged that I misplaced my keyswould sound rather absurd. - Awkward:
It is thought that I should bring a dessert to the party.(A simpleI think I should bring...is more appropriate in a social context.) - Better:
I think I should bring a dessert to the party.
- Omitting
thatin the Impersonal Passive: Whilethatcan sometimes be omitted in informal speech, particularly when thethat-clauseis short, it is generally safer and more formal to include it, especially in written English or for longer clauses. Its omission can sometimes lead to ambiguity or sound less polished. - Less clear:
It is known COVID spread rapidly. - Clearer:
It is known that COVID spread rapidly.
- Using Non-Reporting Verbs: Not every verb can function as a reporting verb in these passive structures. Stick to verbs directly associated with conveying information or beliefs (
say,think,believe,know,expect,report,allege,consider,understand,claim). Attempting to use verbs likewhisper,shout, ormutterin these constructions will typically sound awkward or grammatically incorrect, as their primary function isn't formal reporting. - Awkward:
It is whispered that he stole the cookie.(Whilewhisperis a communication verb, it lacks the formal reporting connotation needed for this structure.) - Better:
It is rumored that he stole the cookie.(Using a more appropriate reporting verb.)
Real Conversations
Understanding how passive reporting verbs function in grammatical theory is one thing; observing their natural occurrence in authentic communication reveals their practical utility. These structures are not confined to academic texts; they permeate various forms of modern English, subtly shaping how information is presented across different platforms.
- News Media (Headlines & Articles):
- It is reported that market confidence has stabilized. (Conveys a general economic trend without attributing it to a single analyst.)
- The CEO is expected to announce significant layoffs. (Focuses on the CEO and the upcoming announcement, maintaining journalistic distance.)
- A new species is believed to have been discovered in the Amazon. (Highlights the discovery, not who discovered it, common in scientific news.)
- Professional & Academic Settings (Emails, Presentations):
-
Common Reporting Verbs in Passive
| Verb | It + Passive + That | Subject + Passive + To-Infinitive |
|---|---|---|
|
Say
|
It is said that...
|
He is said to be...
|
|
Think
|
It is thought that...
|
She is thought to have...
|
|
Believe
|
It is believed that...
|
They are believed to live...
|
|
Consider
|
It is considered that...
|
It is considered to be...
|
|
Report
|
It is reported that...
|
The news is reported to be...
|
|
Claim
|
It is claimed that...
|
He is claimed to have...
|
|
Know
|
It is known that...
|
She is known to work...
|
|
Expect
|
It is expected that...
|
Prices are expected to rise...
|
Contractions in Reporting Passives
| Full Form | Contracted Form | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
It is said
|
It's said
|
Common in speech
|
|
It is thought
|
It's thought
|
Common in speech
|
|
He is said
|
He's said
|
Common in speech
|
|
They are believed
|
They're believed
|
Common in speech
|
Meanings
A grammatical construction used to report what people in general say, think, or believe, often used in news and academic writing to maintain objectivity.
General Hearsay
Reporting rumors or widely held beliefs without a specific source.
“It is said that the house is haunted.”
“He is thought to be the best player in the league.”
Formal/Academic Reporting
Presenting facts or theories in a way that sounds objective and authoritative.
“It is considered that the experiment was a success.”
“The virus is known to spread through air droplets.”
Historical/Past Beliefs
Describing what people used to believe in the past.
“It was once thought that the Earth was flat.”
“The ruins were believed to be of Roman origin.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (It)
|
It + is + V3 + that + clause
|
It is said that he is a hero.
|
|
Affirmative (Subject)
|
Subject + is + V3 + to + infinitive
|
He is said to be a hero.
|
|
Negative (It)
|
It + is not + V3 + that + clause
|
It is not believed that they are lost.
|
|
Negative (Subject)
|
Subject + is not + V3 + to + infinitive
|
They are not believed to be lost.
|
|
Past (It)
|
It + was + V3 + that + clause
|
It was thought that the war was over.
|
|
Past (Subject)
|
Subject + was + V3 + to + infinitive
|
The war was thought to be over.
|
|
Perfect Infinitive
|
Subject + is + V3 + to have + V3
|
He is said to have stolen the money.
|
|
Continuous Infinitive
|
Subject + is + V3 + to be + V-ing
|
She is thought to be hiding in Paris.
|
Formality Spectrum
He is widely held to be an exceptional leader. (Describing a politician or boss)
It is said that he is a great leader. (Describing a politician or boss)
They say he's a great leader. (Describing a politician or boss)
Word is, he's the GOAT. (Describing a politician or boss)
The Reporting Verb Web
Belief
- Believe Believe
- Think Think
- Consider Consider
Speech
- Say Say
- Report Report
- Claim Claim
Knowledge
- Know Know
- Understand Understand
Active vs. Passive Reporting
Choosing Your Structure
Do you want to start with 'It'?
Do you want to focus on the person?
Verbs for Different Situations
News
- • Report
- • Allege
- • Claim
Science
- • Know
- • Observe
- • Prove
Gossip
- • Say
- • Rumor
- • Think
Examples by Level
It is said that he is rich.
It is known that she is a teacher.
It is thought that it will rain.
It is reported that the shop is closed.
It is believed that they live in London.
It is said that the food here is good.
It is known that water boils at 100 degrees.
It is thought that the movie starts at 8.
He is said to be a very talented musician.
It is reported that the strike will end soon.
The company is thought to be losing money.
It was once believed that the sun went around the Earth.
The suspect is alleged to have fled the country.
It is widely considered that his latest book is his best.
The painting is believed to be a genuine Picasso.
It is expected that interest rates will rise next month.
The manuscript is purported to be the work of a 15th-century monk.
It is contended that the current policy is fundamentally flawed.
The CEO is understood to be considering his resignation.
It has been suggested that the two events are linked.
The findings are widely held to have significant implications for the field.
It is surmised that the civilization collapsed due to prolonged drought.
The senator is reputed to have been involved in the scandal.
It is gathered from the evidence that the fire was intentional.
Easily Confused
Learners often use 'They say' in formal writing where 'It is said' is required.
Mixing up 'The book was written' (action) with 'The book is said to be' (opinion).
Using 'It says' to mean 'People say'.
Common Mistakes
Is said that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
People is said he is rich.
It is said he is rich.
It says that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
He said to be rich.
He is said to be rich.
It is thought he rich.
It is thought that he is rich.
He is thought being rich.
He is thought to be rich.
It believed that...
It is believed that...
He is said to have steal the money.
He is said to have stolen the money.
It is reported the plane to be late.
It is reported that the plane is late.
He is thought to be live in London.
He is thought to live in London.
The CEO is alleged having lied.
The CEO is alleged to have lied.
It is contended the policy being wrong.
It is contended that the policy is wrong.
Sentence Patterns
It is ___ that ___.
___ is/are thought to ___.
It was once believed that ___.
The suspect is alleged to have ___.
Real World Usage
It is reported that the storm is heading north.
It is generally accepted that the data is accurate.
He's said to be getting a promotion.
The defendant is alleged to have committed the act.
It was believed that the king had died in battle.
The fountain is said to bring good luck.
The 'Distance' Trick
Avoid 'It is told'
Journalist Mode
Reputation
Smart Tips
Start your sentences with 'It is reported that...' or 'It is alleged that...'.
Use the 'Subject + is said to' pattern. It's more descriptive.
Avoid 'I think'. Use 'It is considered that...' or 'It is argued that...'.
Use 'to have + V3' to show the action happened before the reporting.
Pronunciation
Stress on the reporting verb
In the phrase 'It is SAID that', the stress usually falls on the past participle to emphasize the nature of the report.
Linking 'It is'
In natural speech, 'It is' often sounds like 'It's' or 'Idiz' with a soft 'd' sound in American English.
Falling intonation for facts
It is known that the Earth is round. ↘
Conveys certainty and authority.
Rising intonation for rumors
It is said that he's leaving? ↗
Conveys doubt or asks for confirmation.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember S.T.A.R.: Said, Thought, Alleged, Reported. These are your 4 main reporting stars!
Visual Association
Imagine a news anchor sitting behind a desk. They aren't saying 'I think...', they are reading a script that says 'It is reported that...'. The desk is the 'It is' that supports the whole story.
Rhyme
When you don't know who to blame, 'It is said' is the name of the game!
Story
A secret agent needs to share information without revealing his source. He writes a letter starting with 'It is believed that the enemy is near.' By using the passive, he keeps his source safe and sounds like a professional spy.
Word Web
Challenge
Look at a news headline today. Try to rewrite it using 'It is said that...' or 'The [Subject] is reported to...'.
Cultural Notes
British academic writing relies heavily on the impersonal passive to sound modest and objective, avoiding 'I think' at all costs.
Journalists use 'alleged' to avoid lawsuits (libel). If they say 'He stole it', they can be sued. If they say 'He is alleged to have stolen it', they are safe.
In casual conversation, 'It's said that' is less common than 'Word has it' or 'They say', but 'He's said to be' is common when discussing celebrities.
This structure comes from the Latin 'impersonal passive' where verbs like 'dicitur' (it is said) were used to convey general truths.
Conversation Starters
It is said that travel broadens the mind. Do you agree?
He is thought to be the greatest athlete of all time. Who am I talking about?
It is rumored that a new iPhone is coming out soon. Have you heard anything?
In your country, what is said to be the best dish for a visitor to try?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
It ___ that the Earth was flat.
He is thought ___ in New York.
Find and fix the mistake:
Is said that the movie is very long.
She ___ a genius.
'It is reported the company to be closing.'
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: They say he's late. B: He is reported to be late.
It is ___ that...
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesIt ___ that the Earth was flat.
He is thought ___ in New York.
Find and fix the mistake:
Is said that the movie is very long.
She ___ a genius.
'It is reported the company to be closing.'
Match: 1. Allege, 2. Surmise, 3. Rumor
A: They say he's late. B: He is reported to be late.
It is ___ that...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe new policy ___ to improve working conditions for remote employees.
It is thought the team leader is resigning.
Which sentence is correct?
Se dice que el museo está abierto hasta tarde los jueves.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentence halves:
The suspect ___ to have fled the country immediately after the incident.
It is saying that this view is incredible! #travelgram
Which option is grammatically sound?
Se rumorea que esta canción será el éxito del verano.
Reorder the words to form a coherent sentence:
Match the verb to its common usage context:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
You can! But 'It is said' is more formal and objective. It's better for writing.
No, only verbs of thinking (believe, think), saying (report, claim), or knowing (know, understand).
Meaning is the same. 'It is said that' focuses on the whole idea; 'He is said to' focuses on the person.
Both are correct. 'It's said' is more common in speaking; 'It is said' is better for formal writing.
Yes! 'It is expected that...' is a common way to talk about the future.
No. Use 'It is said that' or 'I was told that'.
Use 'It was said that...' or 'He is said to have been...'.
Yes, it's standard in both British and American English, especially in news.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que...
Spanish doesn't use a dummy subject like 'It'.
On dit que...
French uses an active structure (On dit) for the same purpose.
Es wird gesagt, dass...
German word order in the 'dass' clause is different.
...to iwarete iru
Japanese puts the reporting verb at the end of the sentence.
Yuqal anna...
Arabic doesn't need a separate word for 'It' or 'is'.
据说是 (Jùshuō shì)
Chinese has no passive conjugation for this; it's a lexical choice.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
04:54 This is the most common way to get head lice - Nazzy Pakpour
07:12 Was the Trojan War Fought Over a Rock?
05:21 You might be surprised by what you'd find in your pores - M. Alejandra Perotti
Passive Reporting Verbs in English | IT IS SAID THAT, IT IS THOUGHT THAT
Oxford English Now
Related Grammar Rules
Passive Voice for Objectivity: 'It is said that...'
Overview English grammar provides specific structures to report information without identifying the source, or to emphas...
Reported Speech with Modals & Passive Reporting (C1)
Overview Mastering reported speech with modals and passive reporting structures marks a significant step towards C1-leve...
Reporting Verbs: Who Said What?
Overview Reporting verbs are essential linguistic tools that enable you to relay information or summarise statements, qu...
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...
Passive Reporting Structures (He is said to be...)
Overview Passive reporting structures, epitomized by phrases such as `He is said to be...`, serve as sophisticated tools...
