Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use reporting passives to distance yourself from information, common in news and formal reports to avoid taking personal responsibility for claims.
- Use 'It + passive verb + that-clause' for general statements: 'It is said that he is rich.'
- Use 'Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive' for personal focus: 'He is said to be rich.'
- Use 'to have + past participle' for past actions: 'She is thought to have left.'
Overview
It is said that... 这种句式是英语中一种非常重要的被动语态表达方式，专门用于转述信息。在C1阶段，掌握它不仅仅是学会一个翻译技巧，更重要的是理解它在信息传递、来源归属以及语体风格方面的微妙作用。这种结构能让你在不直接点明信息来源的情况下陈述事实，常常暗示着一种普遍的共识、广泛流传的谣言，或是一份正式的报告。It is widely believed that artificial intelligence will transform many industries.（人们普遍相信人工智能将改变许多行业。）这句话的重点在于“相信”这一事实本身，而非相信者是谁。it来引入陈述句，而不是使用一个具体的主语。这个it并不指代任何实际的词，它只是一个语法上的占位符，目的是让信息本身成为焦点，而不是提供信息的人或实体。say, believe, know, report, think, expect, allege, understand, claim）的过去分词形式，前面加上适当形式的 to be。这个被动结构后面跟着一个 that 从句，从句中包含被转述的信息。例如，如果原句是 Many people say that the new policy is effective.（许多人说新政策很有效），你可以将其改写为 It is said that the new policy is effective.（据说新政策很有效）。原句中的主动主语（Many people）要么是未知的，要么是不重要的，要么是被故意省略的。that从句在语法上充当了被动语态动词的逻辑主语，尽管it占据了语法主语的位置。这种结构上的精巧是C1水平英语的典型特征。to be 的时态会根据具体情况变化。基本模式是：It + to be (谓语动词be的各种形式) + [转述动词的过去分词] + that + [包含被转述信息的从句]。It: 永远是主语。这是一个虚拟主语（dummy subject），只起语法作用，没有实际指代意义。to be (conjugated): 这个动词决定了转述的发生时态。你需要根据转述动作发生的时间来变化 to be 的形式。常见的形式包括 is, was, has been, will be, may be 等。[Past Participle of Reporting Verb]: 这是使结构被动的关键部分。最常用于此结构的转述动词包括 said, believed, known, thought, reported, expected, alleged, understood, claimed, suggested, estimated 等。动词的选择取决于要传达信息的性质。that: 这个连词引导被转述的从句。虽然在非常口语化的表达中常常可以省略，但在书面英语和C1水平的语境中，强烈建议保留that以保证清晰度和正式性。省略that有时可能导致歧义，或者显得不够严谨。[Clause with Reported Information]: 这是一个完整的句子，包含主语和变位动词，陈述实际的新闻、谣言或信念。这个从句中的时态应反映被转述陈述的原始时态。People say that the economy is recovering. | It is said that the economy is recovering. |They believed that the treasure was hidden. | It was believed that the treasure was hidden. |Experts have reported that new data has emerged. | It has been reported that new data has emerged. |The public expects that prices will rise. | It is expected that prices will rise. |The media will allege that corruption is widespread. | It will be alleged that corruption is widespread. |Many sources claim that the project may be delayed. | It is claimed that the project may be delayed. |to be 的时态（is, was, has been, will be）与主动转述动词的时态是一致的。that从句中的动词（is recovering, was hidden, has emerged, will rise, is widespread, may be delayed）则保持其主动形式的原始时态不变。例如，It is understood that the new guidelines will be implemented next month.（据了解，新指南将于下个月实施。）这里的 is understood 反映了当前的普遍理解，而 will be implemented 描述的是被转述从句中的未来事件。- 1正式和客观的报道: 在学术论文、新闻报道、官方公告或专业信函中，这种结构能增添一种公正和权威感。它将信息定位为普遍接受或广泛传播的，而不是个人观点。这在信息本身比具体来源更重要时尤其有用。例如，科学期刊可能会写道：
It is widely accepted that climate change is a significant global challenge.（普遍认为气候变化是一个重大的全球性挑战。）这避免了将这种接受归因于任何单一的科学家或团体，而是将其呈现为一种共识。
- 1转述谣言、信念和常识: 当信息没有明确或可归属的来源，或者用于表达普遍观点时，这种结构是理想的选择。它允许你转述信息，而无需保证其绝对真实性或追溯其起源，因此适用于非正式的八卦或普遍的文化信念。例如：
It is rumored that the company will announce a merger soon.（有传言说公司很快将宣布合并。）使用it is rumored清楚地表明信息未经证实但正在流传。同样，It is believed that patience is a virtue in negotiations.（人们相信耐心是谈判中的一种美德。）将这种信念归于公众，而非个人。
- 1避免具体归因或责任: 有时你知道信息来源，但希望不点名，可能是为了保护匿名性、保持专业性，或避免个人牵涉。这种结构提供了一种谨慎传达信息的方式。在工作环境中，一封邮件可能写道：
It has been suggested that the deadline needs to be extended.（有人建议需要延长截止日期。）这使得建议得以传达，而无需点出提出建议的个人，营造一种集体讨论而非个人抱怨的氛围。
- 1强调信息本身: 通过使用
it作为虚拟主语，语法重心完全转移到that从句上。这种结构选择将信息的内容置于信息传递者之上。例如，如果你说It was reported that the satellite failed to launch.（据报道，卫星未能成功发射。），那么卫星发射失败就成了首要焦点，而不是谁报道了这件事。这种强调在新闻媒体中至关重要，因为事件本身常常比报道媒体更受关注。
It is said that... 及类似结构时，也常常会遇到一些特定的陷阱。认识到并解决这些常见错误是达到C1水平的关键。- 1
to be的时态或形式错误: 这是最常见的错误。学习者有时会使用主要动词的现在时形式（例如，It say that...）或错误的时态匹配（例如，It was said that the meeting is tomorrow.）。请记住，to be必须与It（永远是单数）保持一致，并反映转述的时态。务必使用转述动词的过去分词。例如，你必须说It is believed that...（目前的普遍相信）或It was reported that...（过去的报道），而不是It believes that...或It reported that...。
- 1在正式语境中省略
that: 虽然在非正式口语中可以省略that，但在正式写作或演讲中省略它，会使句子听起来不够严谨，甚至在语法上产生歧义。C1水平要求精确。在正式语境中，在被动转述动词后务必包含that，以获得最大的清晰度和符合学术或专业标准。例如，在书面报告中，It is understood that the new software will improve efficiency（据了解，新软件将提高效率）比It is understood the new software will improve efficiency更可取。
- 1与
Subject + be + said to be...结构的混淆: 这是一个密切相关但不同的C1结构（将在其他课程中讲解），学习者常常将其混淆。It is said that...结构使用it作为虚拟主语，并转述一个完整的句子（that + [完整句子]）。而Subject + be + said to be...结构使用一个真实的主语，并转述一个不定式短语（to be...）。
It is said that he is a brilliant scientist.（转述关于他身份的普遍看法。）He is said to be a brilliant scientist.（焦点在于他本人，转述人们对他的评价。）
It is said that...）还是被报道的对象（He is said to be...）。错误地互换使用这两种结构，常常会导致语法别扭或逻辑不通。- 1过度使用和风格重复: 虽然很有用，但过度依赖
It is said that...会让你的写作变得单调，显得过于正式和疏远。老练的写作者会变换句子结构和转述方式。可以将其与其他转述策略结合使用，例如直接引语（在适用时）、主动转述动词（Sources indicate...）或其他被动结构。例如，与其写It is believed that profits will increase. It is also believed that new markets will open. It is generally understood that the company is expanding.（人们相信利润会增长。人们也相信新市场将会开放。普遍理解公司正在扩张。），不如尝试Analysts believe profits will increase, and new markets are expected to open. Overall, the company's expansion is generally understood.（分析师们相信利润会增长，并且预计新市场将会开放。总的来说，公司的扩张是被普遍理解的。）
- 1使用非转述动词: 这种结构专门用于那些表示“说”、“相信”、“知道”、“报告”、“认为”、“期望”、“声称”、“理解”、“估计”等含义的动词。将它用于其他类型的动词（例如，表示情感、物理动作或状态的动词）是错误的。例如，你不能说
It is felt that the proposal is good.（虽然可以理解，但更自然的说法是It is felt that...或The proposal is felt to be good.，但更好的表达是It is felt that the proposal is good.或The proposal is considered good.）。要确保你使用的动词是典型的转述动词。
It + be + past participle + that-clause 这种非人称被动转述结构外，还有一些结构在功能上相似，但用法和侧重点有所不同。理解这些细微差别对于C1水平的精确表达至关重要。- 1
Subject + be + said/believed/etc. + to-infinitive: 这是最容易混淆的结构。它同样是转述，但焦点不同。
It is said that he is innocent. (焦点在于“被说的这件事”，即普遍的说法。)He is said to be innocent. (焦点在于“他”，转述关于他的说法。)to-infinitive）的时态也需要注意：如果转述的动作与被转述的动作同时发生，用 to + 动词原形；如果被转述的动作发生在转述动作之前，用 to + have + 过去分词。She is reported to have arrived yesterday. (报道发生在今天，但她到达是昨天，所以用 to have arrived。)- 1主动语态转述: 这是最直接的表达方式，但它需要明确的主语，并且不像被动语态那样能实现信息的“去主语化”。
People say that the earth is round. (直接，但“People”太泛)Scientists report that the earth is round. (具体来源)It is said that the earth is round. (普遍认知，来源不重要)It开头的被动结构则更侧重于信息的普遍性或匿名性。- 1
There is/are + noun phrase: 这个结构用于介绍某事物存在，与转述信息的功能完全不同。
There is a rumor that he will resign. (存在一个谣言)It is rumored that he will resign. (转述这个谣言)It is said...) | It is said that honesty is the best policy. | 信息内容 | 普遍认知、谣言、正式报告，来源不重要或未知 |He is said...) | He is said to be the richest man in town. | 被转述对象 | 描述人或事物，当你知道其属性或行为被如何评价 |People say...) | Many people believe that aliens exist. | 信息来源 | 当来源明确且重要，或需要直接表达观点时 |It is said that... 结构中，it 到底指代什么？it 在这里是一个虚拟主语（dummy subject）或称形式主语（formal subject）。它不指代任何具体的名词或事物，仅仅是为了满足英语句子必须有主语的语法要求，并将焦点放在后面的 that 从句所包含的信息上。你可以把它理解为“情况是...”或者“据了解的情况是...”。It is said that... 结构中省略 that 吗？that 有时会被省略。但对于C1水平的学习者来说，尤其是在书面语、学术语境或正式交流中，强烈建议保留 that。保留that能确保句子的清晰度和正式感，避免潜在的歧义，并符合高级英语的表达规范。It is said that... 和 He is said to... 的区别是什么？我应该什么时候用哪个？It is said that... 强调的是信息本身或普遍的说法，来源是模糊的或不重要的。而 He is said to... 强调的是被描述的人或事物（这里的He就是主语），转述的是关于这个主语的说法。例如，如果你想说“普遍认为他是个好老师”，用 It is said that he is a good teacher.。如果你想说“关于他，人们的说法是他是个好老师”，用 He is said to be a good teacher.。选择哪个取决于你想突出的是“说法”本身，还是“被说的人/事”。It is + [verb] + that... 结构？say, believe, know, think, report, expect, understand, claim, allege, suggest, estimate, assume, consider 等。这些动词都与信息传递、认知或普遍看法有关。选择哪个动词取决于信息的性质——是事实报道（reported, known），普遍看法（believed, thought），还是未经证实的说法（alleged, claimed）。Formation of Reporting Passives
| Structure Type | Formula | Example (Present) | Example (Past Action) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Impersonal
|
It + is/was + V-ed + that...
|
It is said that he is rich.
|
It is said that he was rich.
|
|
Personal
|
Subj + is/was + V-ed + to + V
|
He is said to be rich.
|
He is said to have been rich.
|
|
Continuous
|
Subj + is + V-ed + to be + V-ing
|
He is said to be working.
|
He is said to have been working.
|
|
Passive Inf.
|
Subj + is + V-ed + to be + V-ed
|
He is said to be loved.
|
He is said to have been loved.
|
Meanings
A formal way to report what people say, think, or believe without mentioning the specific source of the information. It creates an objective, journalistic tone.
Impersonal Reporting
Using 'It' as a dummy subject to introduce a general belief or fact.
“It is reported that the CEO has resigned.”
“It was once thought that the Earth was flat.”
Personal Reporting
Focusing on the person or thing being talked about by making them the subject.
“The suspect is believed to be hiding in the woods.”
“She is said to be the best doctor in the city.”
Past Action Reporting
Reporting a past action using a perfect infinitive (to have + past participle).
“He is alleged to have stolen the documents.”
“The company is rumored to have gone bankrupt last month.”
Reference Table
| 功能 | 结构 | 例子 | 细微差别 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
普遍信念
|
It is + V3 (say/believe) + that clause
|
It is said that practice makes perfect.
|
广泛认可，无具体来源。
|
|
过去报道
|
It was + V3 (report/expect) + that clause
|
It was reported that the road was closed.
|
过去发生的特定事件报道。
|
|
持续指控
|
It has been + V3 (claim/allege) + that clause
|
It has been claimed that the antique is fake.
|
最近提出或仍在持续的说法。
|
|
正式消息
|
It is + V3 (understand/know) + that clause
|
It is understood that a decision is imminent.
|
官方或公认的信息。
|
|
传闻推测
|
It is + V3 (rumor/think) + that clause
|
It is rumored that the CEO will resign.
|
非官方信息，通常未经证实。
|
|
普遍预期
|
It is + V3 (expect) + that clause
|
It is expected that prices will rise soon.
|
预料中的结果或情况。
|
正式程度
It is rumored that a new model will be released in September. (Tech news)
A new model is expected to come out in September. (Tech news)
They say a new iPhone is coming in September. (Tech news)
Word is a new iPhone drops in Sept. (Tech news)
带报道动词的被动语态：It is said that 结构
核心动词 (V3)
- said 说
- believed 相信
- reported 报道
- known 知道
用途
- 正式新闻 Formal News
- 传闻八卦 Rumors
- 普遍信念 General Beliefs
结构
- It + be (时态) + V3 It + be (tense) + V3
- that + 从句 that + clause
'It is said that...' 对比 'People say that...'
决定是否使用 'It is said that...'
你想在没有具体来源的情况下报道信息吗？
该信息是普遍信念、传闻还是正式报道？
焦点是在信息本身，而不是谁说的吗？
'It is said that...' 的使用场景
正式
- • 新闻标题
- • 学术论文
- • 官方报告
非正式
- • 传播传闻
- • 常识普及
- • 日常八卦
客观
- • 科学发现
- • 历史事实
- • 公众舆论
委婉
- • 保护来源
- • 规避责任
- • 弱化断言
按水平分级的例句
People say he is nice.
Gente dice que él es amable.
They say it is cold there.
Dicen que hace frío allí.
My friends say she is a doctor.
Mis amigos dicen que ella es doctora.
Everyone says the food is good.
Todos dicen que la comida es buena.
It is said that he is a hero.
Se dice que él es un héroe.
It is known that water is healthy.
Se sabe que el agua es saludable.
It is thought that they are happy.
Se piensa que ellos son felices.
It is reported that the rain will stop.
Se informa que la lluvia parará.
He is said to be very rich.
Se dice que él es muy rico.
It is believed that the team will win.
Se cree que el equipo ganará.
The movie is thought to be excellent.
Se piensa que la película es excelente.
It was reported that the road was closed.
Se informó que la carretera estaba cerrada.
The company is expected to grow this year.
Se espera que la empresa crezca este año.
It is understood that the meeting is cancelled.
Se entiende que la reunión está cancelada.
She is rumored to have quit her job.
Se rumorea que ella ha dejado su trabajo.
The fossils are believed to be millions of years old.
Se cree que los fósiles tienen millones de años.
The diplomat is alleged to have accepted bribes.
Se alega que el diplomático aceptó sobornos.
It is widely considered that his theory is flawed.
Se considera ampliamente que su teoría tiene fallos.
The suspect is understood to be cooperating with police.
Se entiende que el sospechoso está cooperando con la policía.
The manuscript is thought to have been written in the 14th century.
Se piensa que el manuscrito fue escrito en el siglo XIV.
The Prime Minister is purported to be considering a reshuffle.
Se pretende que el Primer Ministro está considerando una remodelación.
It has long been asserted that economic growth is the only metric of success.
Se ha afirmado durante mucho tiempo que el crecimiento económico es la única métrica del éxito.
The artifact was previously reputed to possess magical properties.
Anteriormente se tenía la reputación de que el artefacto poseía propiedades mágicas.
The virus is now known to have been circulating months before the first official case.
Ahora se sabe que el virus había estado circulando meses antes del primer caso oficial.
容易混淆
Learners use 'People say' in formal essays where 'It is said' is required.
Mixing the 'that' clause with the 'to' infinitive.
Using 'to be' for something that happened in the past.
常见错误
People is said he is rich.
People say he is rich.
It says that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
He is said that he is rich.
He is said to be rich.
He is believed to steal the money yesterday.
He is believed to have stolen the money yesterday.
句型
It is ___ that ___.
The suspect is ___ to have ___.
___ is widely considered to be ___.
It was once ___ that ___.
Real World Usage
It is reported that the ceasefire has been broken.
The results are thought to be significant.
She is rumored to be getting a promotion.
The suspect is alleged to have used a stolen vehicle.
The city is believed to have been founded in 500 BC.
It is said that the servers are down again.
变换你的动词
It is alleged that he stole the money.
别把 It 和主语搞混
It is said that she is rich.
用于正式的“距离感”
It is understood that the theory has flaws.
传闻中的礼貌
It is rumored that the boss might resign.
注意时态变化
It has been claimed that the cure exists.
Smart Tips
Switch your 'People say' to 'It is reported that'. It immediately elevates your register.
Always check if you need 'to have'. If the event is over, 'to have' is your best friend.
Try to rewrite it using the subject of the 'that' clause to practice the personal construction.
Use 'widely' or 'generally' to sound even more native-like.
发音
Weak 'to'
In the personal construction, the word 'to' is usually reduced to a schwa /tə/.
Stress on the Reporting Verb
The main stress usually falls on the reporting verb (said, thought, believed) to emphasize the nature of the report.
Falling intonation for facts
It is reported that the king is ↘ dead.
Conveys a serious, final piece of news.
记住它
记忆技巧
Remember 'It' is for the whole 'that' clause, but 'He' needs a 'to' to reach the verb.
视觉联想
Imagine a news anchor sitting behind a desk. They aren't saying 'I think', they are pointing to a screen that says 'IT IS REPORTED'. The anchor is a shield between you and the raw rumor.
Rhyme
When rumors fly and news is spread, 'It is said' is what is read.
Story
A detective is investigating a crime. He doesn't have proof yet, so he tells his boss, 'The suspect is believed to have fled.' This way, if the suspect is actually still in town, the detective isn't blamed for a false statement—he was just reporting a belief.
Word Web
挑战
Write three sentences about a famous celebrity using 'is rumored to', 'is thought to have', and 'it is said that'.
文化笔记
The BBC uses 'It is understood that...' very frequently when they have a reliable source but cannot name them yet.
Using 'It is thought' or 'It has been suggested' is a form of 'hedging'. It makes the writer sound humble and open to other scientific possibilities.
The word 'alleged' is legally required in news reports before a conviction to avoid 'libel' (being sued for lying).
These structures evolved from Latin impersonal passives (e.g., 'dicitur' meaning 'it is said').
对话开场白
What is something that is said to be true about your country, but isn't?
Which celebrity is rumored to be the most difficult to work with?
It is often thought that technology makes us lonely. Do you agree?
Is there a place in your city that is said to be haunted?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
It ___ that the new policy will improve efficiency.
选择正确的句子：
It is said that符合这个模式。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
练习题
8 exercisesHe is thought ___ (be) the mastermind behind the robbery.
Find and fix the mistake:
It is believed him to have left the country.
People say that the company is losing money. (The company...)
The building is thought ___ in the fire.
You can use the verb 'want' in the 'It is wanted that...' reporting passive structure.
A: Is the new boss nice? B: Well, she ___ very strict.
1. People think he is a spy. 2. People think he was a spy.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesIt ___ that the ancient city holds many undiscovered secrets.
It reported that the meeting was postponed.
哪句话是正确的？
翻译成英语：'据说阅读能开阔心智。'
排列这些单词：
将主语与正确的后续部分连线：
It is ___ that the company will announce a merger soon.
It is said that dinosaurs was extinct millions of years ago.
选择合适的句子：
翻译：'咖啡具有成瘾性是广为接受的事实。'
排列这些单词：
Score: /11
常见问题 (8)
No, only 'reporting verbs' related to thinking (believe, think, consider), saying (say, report, allege), or knowing (know, understand). You can't use verbs like 'eat' or 'run'.
Yes, but 'It is said that' is much more formal and common in writing, while 'They say' is common in spoken English.
Use it when the action you are reporting happened *before* the reporting. For example: 'He is said (now) to have been (past) a soldier.'
To avoid legal trouble. If they say 'He is a thief' before a trial, they can be sued. If they say 'He is the alleged thief', they are just reporting what the police say.
Yes. 'He is not thought to be dangerous' or 'It is not believed that the plan will work.'
Absolutely. It is standard in all varieties of formal English, including American, British, and Australian.
'Thought' is a general belief, while 'considered' often implies a more deliberate opinion or a widely held social view.
Yes, for continuous actions. 'The fugitive is thought to be hiding in the mountains.'
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que...
Spanish lacks the 'Subject + Passive + To-Infinitive' structure.
On dit que...
French prefers active voice with an indefinite subject ('on').
Er soll... sein
German uses a modal verb ('sollen') instead of a passive reporting verb.
...to iwarete iru (〜と言われている)
Japanese word order is reversed, with the rumor coming before the verb.
Yuqal anna... (يُقال أن)
Arabic almost always uses the impersonal 'It' structure, rarely the personal one.
Jushuo... (据说)
Chinese uses a fixed phrase rather than a conjugated passive verb.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
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