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.
Overview
Passive Reporting Structures（被动报道结构）。这种结构最典型的代表就是 He is said to be...（据说他……）。People say... 或 I heard... 这种略显口语化和主观的表达方式。- 主动语态：人们说他是个天才。
- 无人称表达：据说他是个天才。
- 1Level 1 (Active):
People say that he is a genius.（最直接，但主语People往往多余） - 2Level 2 (Impersonal Passive):
It is said that he is a genius.（使用了形式主语It，比第一种正式，但在长句中显得有些臃肿） - 3Level 3 (Personal Passive):
He is said to be a genius.（这就是我们要掌握的高级结构。它直接把“他”作为主语，后面紧跟被动化的报道动词，最后用不定式连接具体内容）
he）“提拔”成了全句的主语，而原来的报道动词（say）变成了被动形式（is said）。连接这两个部分的桥梁不再是 that 从句，而是不定式（Infinitive）。这个不定式的形式（是 to be 还是 to have been）决定了动作发生的时间顺序，这也是中国学习者最容易出错的地方。People say that he is on holiday. | 强调“有人说”，主观性强。 |It is said that he is on holiday. | 使用形式主语，侧重于“这件事”。 |He is said to be on holiday. | 侧重于“他”这个对象，结构极其紧凑。 |Subject + Passive Reporting Verb + Infinitive Phrasesay, believe, know, think, report, understand, expect, allege, claim, consider 等。to + do / to be + adj/nIt is said that she lives in London.→She is said to live in London.It is believed that the new CEO is very strict.→The new CEO is believed to be very strict.
to be + doingIt is reported that the two companies are negotiating.→The two companies are reported to be negotiating.- 在微信朋友圈看到传闻时可以这样写：
The celebrity is rumored to be dating a mysterious businessman.
to have + done（这是 C1 级别的重难点！）It is thought that he stole the money.→He is thought to have stolen the money.It is alleged that the official accepted bribes.→The official is alleged to have accepted bribes.- 注意：无论主句的被动动词是现在时（
is said）还是过去时（was said），只要被报道的动作发生在报道之前，就要用to have done。
to have been + doingIt is understood that they had been working on the project for years.→They are understood to have been working on the project for years.
to do | He is said to know the truth. |to be doing | They are thought to be hiding. |to have done | The painting is known to have been stolen. |to have been doing | He is alleged to have been spying for years. |- 1学术写作与正式报告 (Objectivity)
I think the economy will crash.，这太主观了。你应该说：The economy is expected to experience a downturn.。这样就把焦点从“你的观点”转移到了“普遍的预期”上。- 1新闻报道与法律指控 (Legal/Journalistic Caution)
alleged 或 reported。例如：The suspect is alleged to have broken into the gallery.（嫌疑人被指控闯入了画廊）。这里用被动报道结构，暗示这只是目前的指控，而非最终定论。- 1职场沟通与传闻处理 (Professional Distance)
He is understood to be leaving the company soon.。这种表达方式在维护职场礼仪的同时，准确传递了信息。- 1描述众所周知的事实 (General Knowledge)
The Great Wall is known to be the longest wall in the world.Exercise is generally considered to be beneficial for mental health.
- 错误：
He is said to go to America last year.(×) - 正确：
He is said to have gone to America last year.(√) - 解析：中文里我们说“据说他去年去了美国”，动词“去”本身不变化，只需加上时间词“去年”。但在英语中，由于“去”发生在“被据说”之前，必须使用
to have gone来体现时间差。这是中国学生最常丢分的地方。
- 错误：
The students is said to be very hardworking.(×) - 正确：
The students are said to be very hardworking.(√) - 解析：在
It is said that...结构中，主语永远是It，所以动词用is。但在Personal Passive结构中，主语变成了The students，所以be动词必须随之变化。中国学生往往习惯了It is said这个固定搭配，导致在转换主语后忘记调整谓语动词。
That Trap)- 错误：
He is said that he is a hero.(×) - 正确：
He is said to be a hero.(√) - 解析：这是典型的“中式英语”思维。学习者试图把
It is said that...和He is said to...揉在一起。记住：如果主语是具体的人或物，后面必须接to-infinitive，不能接that从句。
Personal Passive 与其他常见的报道结构进行对比：People/They say that... | 非正式，口语化 | People say he is rich. |It is said that... | 正式，侧重信息完整性 | It is said that he is rich. |Subject + is said to... | 最正式，侧重于讨论对象 | He is said to be rich. |Subject + seems to... | 侧重主观观察，非报道 | He seems to be rich. |He is said to... 与 He is supposed to... 的区别：He is said to be...纯粹表示“据报道/据说”。He is supposed to be...往往带有“理应如此（但实际可能并非如此）”或“按计划应该”的含义。例如：The train is supposed to arrive at 8.（火车本该8点到，但可能晚点了）。
say, think, believe, know, report, expect, claim, understand。像 want, hope, suggest 这种表示意愿或建议的动词通常不适用于这种主语提升结构。He was said to...？He is said to be... 表示“现在据说他（现在）是……”；而 He was said to be... 表示“过去据说他（当时）是……”。- 例子：
In the 19th century, the earth was believed to be much younger than it is.（在19世纪，人们相信地球比实际要年轻得多）。
Some people think that international travel causes environmental problems.，不如写成 International travel is widely thought to contribute to environmental degradation.。后者显然更符合 C1 级别的学术要求。allege（指称，常用于法律或未经证实的指责）或 rumor（传闻）。例如：The company is alleged to have mistreated its employees.（该公司被指控虐待员工）。这比直接用 say 要精准得多。He is said to be... 结构，是你迈向英语母语者思维的关键一步。它不仅是语法书上的一个考点，更是你构建专业、客观、严谨表达的基石。下次在阅读《经济学人》（The Economist）或《纽约时报》时，试着找出这些结构，你会发现它们无处不在。记住：主语先行，被动紧跟，不定式定时间。多加练习，你也能写出极具高级感的英语句子！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.
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.”
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.”
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
| 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?
|
正式程度
He is reputed to possess considerable wealth. (Financial status)
He is said to be very rich. (Financial status)
Word is he's loaded. (Financial status)
I heard he's got mad stacks. (Financial status)
Passive Reporting Functions
Journalism
- Objectivity Reporting facts without bias
Legal
- Allegations Claims before proof
Academic
- Theories Widely held scientific beliefs
Active vs. Passive Reporting
Choosing the Structure
Do you want to start with 'It'?
Is the action in the past?
Common Reporting Verbs
Belief
- • think
- • believe
- • consider
- • understand
Speech
- • say
- • report
- • claim
- • allege
Expectation
- • expect
- • suppose
- • rumor
按水平分级的例句
People say he is a good doctor.
They think the movie is long.
Everyone says the food is great.
I hear he is from Italy.
It is said that the city is beautiful.
People believe that he is very rich.
It is thought that the test is hard.
They say that she is a famous singer.
It is reported that the weather will be bad.
He is said to be a very kind man.
It is believed that the fire started in the kitchen.
The company is thought to be very successful.
The athlete is expected to win the gold medal.
It is claimed that the new drug has no side effects.
The painting is believed to be a genuine Picasso.
He is rumored to have resigned from his post.
The CEO is alleged to have been embezzling funds for years.
It is widely understood that the treaty is no longer valid.
The species was thought to have gone extinct in the 19th century.
The manuscript is reputed to be the oldest in existence.
The diplomat is purported to have acted as a double agent during the war.
It is surmised that the civilization collapsed due to prolonged drought.
The author is widely held to have revolutionized the modern novel.
The suspect is reported to be evading capture in the mountains.
容易混淆
Learners often use 'supposed to' when they mean 'said to'. 'Supposed to' often implies an obligation or a failed expectation.
Mixing the 'that' clause with the 'to' infinitive.
Using 'People say' in a formal essay.
常见错误
He say he is happy.
He says he is happy.
People is say he is rich.
People say he is rich.
They thinks it is good.
They think it is good.
I am hear he is nice.
I hear he is nice.
It said that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
He is say to be rich.
He is said to be rich.
It is thought he rich.
It is thought that he is rich.
He is said that he is rich.
He is said to be rich.
It is believed to be rich.
He is believed to be rich.
He is thought have left.
He is thought to have left.
He is alleged to steal the money yesterday.
He is alleged to have stolen the money yesterday.
It is reported the company to be closing.
The company is reported to be closing.
He is understood to being working hard.
He is understood to be working hard.
The suspect is claimed to have been escaped.
The suspect is claimed to have escaped.
句型
It is ___ that ___.
Subject is said to ___.
Subject is thought to have ___.
Subject is alleged to have been ___.
Real World Usage
Local Man Said to Be Missing After Storm
The results are thought to indicate a shift in climate patterns.
The defendant is alleged to have committed the robbery.
She's rumored to be getting a promotion.
The flight is expected to be delayed.
The king was believed to have died in battle.
Use for Objectivity
Avoid Overuse
Check the Time
Journalistic Safety
Smart Tips
Switch to 'It is widely believed that...' or 'It is often claimed that...'.
Always use 'to have + past participle'.
Use 'rumored to' or 'alleged to' to protect yourself from sounding like you're stating a fact.
Check for 'that' immediately after the reporting verb.
发音
Weak form of 'to'
In the personal structure, the word 'to' is usually unstressed and pronounced as a schwa /tə/.
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.
记住它
记忆技巧
Remember 'IT' for the whole sentence (It is said that...), and 'TO' for the person (He is said TO...).
视觉联想
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
挑战
Write three sentences about a famous celebrity using 'is said to be', 'is thought to have', and 'is rumored to be doing'.
文化笔记
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.
对话开场白
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.
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
The CEO is believed ______ the company last night.
It ______ that the new law will be passed next week.
Find and fix the mistake:
He is thought that he is the best player in the team.
People believe that the suspect is hiding in the woods.
The structure 'It is said that...' is more informal than 'People say...'.
A: Have you heard about the new manager? B: Yes, he ______ very strict.
Select the correct group.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesThe CEO is believed ______ the company last night.
It ______ that the new law will be passed next week.
Find and fix the mistake:
He is thought that he is the best player in the team.
People believe that the suspect is hiding in the woods.
The structure 'It is said that...' is more informal than 'People say...'.
A: Have you heard about the new manager? B: Yes, he ______ very strict.
Select the correct group.
1. People say he is rich. 2. People think he was rich.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe ancient scroll ___ to contain secret knowledge.
The suspect ___ the country before the police arrived.
The new building is expected finished next month.
He is said to being a brilliant scientist, but he retired last year.
Which sentence is correct?
Select the correct option:
Translate into English: 'Se dice que el concierto ha sido cancelado.'
Translate into English: 'Se cree que el sospechoso estaba mintiendo durante el interrogatorio.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentences with the correct infinitive endings:
Complete the sentences by matching the halves.
Score: /12
常见问题 (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
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que... / Se cree que...
Spanish prefers the 'It is said that' equivalent almost exclusively.
On dit que... / Il est dit que...
English 'He is said to' must be translated as 'On dit qu'il...' in French.
Man sagt... / Er soll ... sein
German uses the modal 'sollen' to express 'is said to'.
...to iwarete iru (〜と言われている)
The structure is very similar, but Japanese word order is Subject-Object-Verb.
Yuqal 'anna... (يُقال أن)
Arabic rarely uses a personal infinitive structure for reporting.
Jùshuō (据说)
Chinese uses a lexical marker (Jùshuō) rather than a grammatical passive construction.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
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