When to Use Passive Voice (Reporting News & Rumors)

1. 1It + passive reporting verb + that + clause: This structure uses It as an anticipatory subject or dummy subject. It does not refer to a specific entity; rather, it introduces the reported statement. The that-clause then contains the actual information being conveyed. This construction makes the statement general and universally applicable. For example, It is said that honesty is the best policy. Here, the source is indefinite, implying a general consensus or an unstated common belief. This structure is highly impersonal and is frequently found in formal contexts, such as news reports or academic discussions, where objective presentation of information is paramount.

1. 1Subject + passive reporting verb + to + infinitive: In this pattern, the subject of the reported information becomes the main subject of the passive sentence. This structure is often used when the reported information concerns a specific person or thing. The infinitive phrase (to + verb) then describes the action or state being reported about that subject. For instance, The ancient city is believed to have existed for millennia. Here, The ancient city is the focal point, and the belief directly pertains to its existence. This pattern allows for a more direct connection between the subject and the reported action, while still maintaining the impersonal nature of the reporting verb.

• Q: Why use It is said that... instead of People say that...?

While People say that... is grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning, It is said that... offers a more formal, objective, and impersonal tone. It shifts the emphasis entirely to the reported information, implying a broader, less specific source, or a general consensus. In formal writing, news, or academic contexts, the passive construction is preferred for its neutrality and the sense of established fact it conveys. People say is more colloquial and personal, often used in casual conversation, whereas It is said elevates the statement to a more authoritative level.

• Q: What is the difference between It is reported that... and It was reported that...?

The distinction lies entirely in the tense of the reporting verb, which indicates when the reporting itself took place. It is reported that... signifies that the report is current, ongoing, or that the information is currently being circulated. For example, It is reported that the negotiations are at a standstill. (The report is current, and the standstill is current). Conversely, It was reported that... refers to a report made at a specific point in the past. For example, It was reported yesterday that the storm had intensified. (The report happened yesterday, and the intensification happened before or at the time of the past report). Choosing the correct tense here is critical for accurate temporal context.

• Q: Can I use any verb after It is...?

No, only specific reporting verbs are suitable for these constructions. These are verbs that convey the act of communicating, thinking, believing, or perceiving information. Common examples include say, think, believe, know, report, understand, expect, allege, claim, consider, and assume. You cannot use just any verb. For instance, It is eaten that... or It is walked that... would be grammatically incorrect and nonsensical because eat and walk are not reporting verbs. The verb must semantically align with the act of conveying or processing information.

• Q: How do I know whether to use to be or to have been in the to + infinitive structures?

The choice between to be and to have been (and their continuous or passive forms) depends on the timing of the reported action relative to the main passive reporting verb. Use to be (or to be + -ing, to be + past participle) when the reported action is happening at the same time as the reporting verb, or will happen in the future relative to it. For example, She is said to be a brilliant scientist. (Reporting and being a scientist are simultaneous). Use to have been (or to have been + -ing, to have been + past participle) when the reported action happened before the reporting verb. For example, She is said to have worked on several groundbreaking projects. (Reporting is now, but the work happened earlier). This distinction is fundamental for conveying precise temporal relationships within the sentence.

• Q: Is this structure only for news and gossip, or can it be used elsewhere?

While particularly common in news and gossip due to its ability to create distance or impersonality, these structures are versatile. They are also used for: general opinions and beliefs (It is widely believed that education is key to success.); academic and scientific claims (The chemical compound is thought to improve plant growth.); and official statements or assessments (The applicant is considered to meet all essential criteria.). Essentially, whenever the source of information is broad, unknown, or deliberately unspecified, these structures provide a concise and often more formal way to convey the message.

• Q: What is the main difference between It is said that... and He is said to...?

The primary difference lies in their focus. It is said that... introduces a general statement, opinion, or fact, with It acting as an impersonal placeholder. The emphasis is on the that-clause itself. For example, It is said that patience is a virtue. Here, patience is a virtue is the core message. In contrast, He is said to... places a specific person or thing as the subject of the sentence, and the to + infinitive clause describes something reported about that subject. For example, He is said to be a very patient person. Here, the focus is on He and the characteristic being reported about him. Your choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the general truth or an attribute of a specific entity.

• Q: How do they say and It is said compare?

They say is an active voice construction where they refers to an unspecified group of people. It's informal and common in casual speech. For example, They say it's going to rain tomorrow. It is said is the passive equivalent. As discussed, it conveys a more formal, objective, and impersonal tone. While both imply an unspecified source, It is said is stylistically appropriate for more formal contexts where attributing information to an abstract, general consensus is desired, rather than to an anonymous group of people. They are conceptually similar but serve different stylistic and register functions.