B2 · 中高级 章节 9

Reporting and Passive Voice

4 总规则
48 例句
5 分钟
本章规则 快速练习

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of professional communication by reporting news and arranging services with confidence.

  • Arrange services efficiently using causative structures.
  • Describe actions clearly using passive infinitives.
  • Report information professionally using passive and specific verb patterns.
Report with precision, arrange with ease.

你将学到什么

Ready to sound more natural when sharing news or describing actions? This chapter empowers you to report what *is said that* happened and confidently *have services done* without doing them yourself. You'll master sophisticated ways to express information clearly.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Explain that you had a service completed (e.g., car repaired) using causative verbs.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Use 'it is said that' to share common knowledge or news professionally.

章节指南

Overview

As a B2 English learner, you're past the basics and ready to refine your communication for more sophisticated interactions. This chapter on English reporting and passive voice is your key to unlocking a more natural, nuanced way of speaking. We're going beyond simple statements to help you convey information with greater precision and fluency, enabling you to truly interact with native speakers fluently.
You'll discover how to report what others have said using patterns like 'It is said that...', making your reports sound objective and well-informed. We'll also dive into causative verbs like 'have/get something done', allowing you to talk about arranging services effortlessly. Plus, understanding the passive infinitive and various reporting verb patterns will give you the tools to shift focus, emphasize information, and interact more smoothly.
Get ready to elevate your B2 English grammar skills and sound more authentic!

How This Grammar Works

These grammar structures, while seemingly distinct, work together to provide flexibility and sophistication in your English communication. Let's start with Causative Verbs: Have/Get Something Done. This is all about outsourcing!
Instead of saying 'I repaired my car' (implying *you* did it), you'd say 'I had my car repaired yesterday' or 'I got my car repaired'. This clearly communicates that a professional service was arranged, like in 'I need to get my hair cut before the party'.
Building on the idea of shifting focus, the Passive Infinitive: to be done comes into play when the action or outcome is more important than the doer. For instance, 'There's a lot of work to be done before the deadline' emphasizes the task, not who specifically does it. Compare 'They have to finish the report' with 'The report needs to be finished by Friday'.
For reporting information without naming the source directly, we use Reporting with the Passive (It is said that...). This often uses verbs like *say, believe, know, think, report*. For example, 'People say he's very talented' becomes 'It is said that he's very talented.' Or, 'They believe the economy is improving' becomes 'The economy is believed to be improving.' This provides a more formal or impersonal tone, often used in news.
Finally, mastering Reporting Verb Patterns is crucial for accuracy. These verbs demand specific structures: 'He suggested doing the work later' (verb + gerund), 'She accused him of taking her pen' (verb + object + preposition + gerund), or 'They advised her to speak to the manager' (verb + object + infinitive). Understanding these patterns ensures your reported speech is grammatically correct and natural.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Confusing Causative with Active Voice
✗ I cut my hair. (Unless you literally did it yourself!)
✓ I had my hair cut.
*Explanation:* Use the causative form when someone else performs the service for you, indicating you arranged it.
  1. 1Incorrect Reporting Verb Pattern
✗ She suggested to go to the cinema.
✓ She suggested going to the cinema.
*Explanation:* Many reporting verbs like 'suggest' take a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive. Always check the specific pattern for each verb.
  1. 1Overusing
    It is said that
    in informal contexts
✗ (At a casual BBQ) It is said that the food is delicious.
✓ (At a casual BBQ) I heard the food is delicious. / Everyone says the food is delicious.
*Explanation:* While grammatically correct,
It is said that
is more formal or for general public knowledge. In casual talk, direct reporting or 'I heard' is more natural.

Real Conversations

A

A

Your garden looks fantastic! Did you do all that work yourself?
B

B

Oh, definitely not! I had the landscaping done last month. It was a huge job, so I outsourced it.
A

A

So, what did Sarah say about the proposal? Is it ready?
B

B

Not quite. She suggested making a few revisions before the final submission. She also advised us to present it next week instead, to allow for more preparation.
A

A

I heard there's a new cafe opening downtown next week. Any details?
B

B

Yes, it is believed to be a French patisserie. The pastries are supposed to be made with authentic ingredients, and there’s a lot of buzz about it. I can't wait to get some coffee there!

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the difference between have something done and get something done?

While often interchangeable, get something done can be slightly more informal and sometimes implies a greater effort or persuasion to arrange the service. For example,

I finally got my car fixed after weeks of trying.

Q

Can

It is said that
be used in spoken English?

Yes, but it's more common in formal contexts like news reports, academic discussions, or when reporting general knowledge without a specific source. In casual conversation, you might hear People say that... or I heard that... more often.

Q

Are there any common reporting verbs that *don't* follow the gerund or infinitive patterns?

Absolutely! Some verbs take a 'that' clause, like 'He claimed that he was innocent' or 'She explained that she couldn't make it.' Others might just take a direct object, like 'He denied the accusation.'

Cultural Context

Native speakers use these patterns to convey nuance and tone. The passive voice, especially
It is said that...
, lends authority or impersonality, common in news reports or academic writing. Causatives like
have/get something done
are everyday expressions across all registers.
Reporting verbs' precise patterns are key for sounding fluent; misusing them can make you sound less natural, though you'll still be understood. Regional differences are minor here, mainly pertaining to formality.

关键例句 (8)

1

I need to have my car repaired before the road trip.

自驾游前我得找人把车修好。

使役动词：让/使某事完成（安排服务）
2

She got her hair cut and styled for the wedding.

她为了参加婚礼，专门找人剪了头发做了造型。

使役动词：让/使某事完成（安排服务）
3

The email needs `to be sent` by 5 PM today.

El correo electrónico debe enviarse hoy antes de las 5 p. m.

被动不定式：使用'to be done'
4

She was happy `to be invited` to the party.

Estaba feliz de ser invitada a la fiesta.

被动不定式：使用'to be done'
5

It is said that he commutes two hours every day.

Se dice que él viaja dos horas cada día.

被动语态的报道 (据说...)
6

The new policy is expected to increase productivity.

Se espera que la nueva política aumente la productividad.

被动语态的报道 (据说...)
7

My friend suggested ordering pizza for the movie night.

我朋友建议看电影之夜点披萨吃。

报告动词模式（建议做某事，指责某人）
8

The politician denied accepting any illegal donations.

那位政客否认收受了任何非法捐款。

报告动词模式（建议做某事，指责某人）

技巧与窍门 (4)

💡

关注物品本身

这个句型的核心是“接受动作的物品”，而不是谁做了这件事。看重的是结果哦！比如：
I had my watch fixed.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 使役动词：让/使某事完成（安排服务）
💡

The 'By' Test

If you can add 'by zombies' to the end of your infinitive and it makes sense, you probably need the passive form!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 被动不定式：使用'to be done'
🎯

The 'That' vs 'To' Rule

If you start with 'It', you MUST use 'that'. If you start with a person/thing, you MUST use 'to'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 被动语态的报道 (据说...)
💡

锁定 -ing 形式！

当你看到动词后面跟着 -ing 形式，特别是汇报动词后，通常就是动名词模式。记得检查中间是否需要介词：
He admitted breaking the vase.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 报告动词模式（建议做某事，指责某人）

核心词汇 (5)

Repair fix something broken Allegedly supposedly/as claimed Suggest propose an idea Accuse claim someone did wrong Facility a place for a service

Real-World Preview

Building

Renovating the Office

Review Summary

  • have/get + object + past participle
  • to + be + past participle
  • It + is + passive verb + that clause
  • verb + gerund/infinitive

常见错误

The causative structure requires the object (car) to be between the verb and the participle. 'I had fixed my car' implies you did the fixing yourself.

Wrong: I had fixed my car.
正确: I had my car fixed.

You must use the correct passive auxiliary tense. 'Be' is not a tense marker here.

Wrong: It is said that he is be promoted.
正确: It is said that he will be promoted.

The verb 'suggest' is followed by a gerund (-ing), not an infinitive.

Wrong: He suggested to go out.
正确: He suggested going out.

Next Steps

You've mastered a very difficult part of English grammar. Keep practicing, and you'll soon be speaking like a native!

Listen to a news podcast and note three instances of reporting verbs.

Continue to: Politeness and Logical Connections

快速练习 (10)

Find the mistake: 'The building is reported that it was destroyed.'

Find and fix the mistake:

The building is reported that it was destroyed.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Change 'that it was' to 'to have been'
You cannot use 'that' after a specific subject like 'The building'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 被动语态的报道 (据说...)

Complete the sentence: 'It is ______ that the company is losing money.'

It is ______ that the company is losing money.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: thought
We need the past participle 'thought' for the passive structure.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 被动语态的报道 (据说...)

Fill in the blank with the passive infinitive of the verb in brackets.

The car needs ___ (wash) today.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to be washed
The car is the recipient of the action, so we use 'to be' + past participle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 被动不定式：使用'to be done'

Complete the formal report sentence.

The suspect is believed ___ in London.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to be caught
Reporting verbs like 'believe' often take the passive infinitive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 被动不定式：使用'to be done'

Which sentence is correct for a past action?

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He is thought to have stolen the car.
Use 'to have + past participle' for actions that happened in the past.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 被动语态的报道 (据说...)

Complete the past reporting: 'The suspect is alleged ______ the bank.'

The suspect is alleged ______ the bank.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to have robbed
Allegations of past crimes use 'to have + V3'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 被动语态的报道 (据说...)

Choose the most formal option for a news report.

Choose the most formal option.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is understood that the talks have failed.
'It is understood that' is a standard formal journalistic phrase.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 被动语态的报道 (据说...)

哪一个句子正确使用了汇报动词模式？

选择正确的句子：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She suggested going to the park.
动词 'suggest' 后面直接接动名词（-ing 形式）。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 报告动词模式（建议做某事，指责某人）

Which sentence is correct?

Select the correct negative form.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He asked not to be disturbed.
'Not' should precede 'to' in formal English, though 'to not be' is becoming common in speech.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 被动不定式：使用'to be done'

选择正确的形式完成句子。

I usually ____ my car serviced at the local garage.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: have
在一般现在时中，'have' 是表示定期服务的正确使役动词。这里用 'get' 也可以，但 'have' 是个很好的通用选择。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 使役动词：让/使某事完成（安排服务）

Score: /10

常见问题 (6)

当你安排别人为你提供服务，而不是亲自动手时，就用它。比如：
I had my car washed.
意思是别人洗了你的车。
记住公式：主语 + have/get（根据时态变化）+ 宾语 + 过去分词。例如：
She is having her kitchen renovated.
Yes, in British English, 'needs doing' is a very common and slightly more informal way to say 'needs to be done'. Both are correct.
It is more formal than active structures, but it is used in everyday speech too, especially for chores and work tasks.
Because 'that' clauses in English usually follow an impersonal 'It'. When you start with a person, the grammar requires an infinitive ('to be') to link the subject to the description.
Yes, the meaning is identical, but 'It is said' is much more formal and used in writing, while 'They say' is used in casual conversation.
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