Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Shift modals back in time and use passive 'it' or 'subject' structures to report information objectively and formally.
- Shift 'can' to 'could' and 'will' to 'would' in reported speech. Example: 'I can go' becomes 'He said he could go'.
- Use 'It is said that...' for general beliefs. Example: 'It is said that the CEO will resign'.
- Use 'Subject + is thought + to + verb' for specific focus. Example: 'He is thought to be hiding'.
- Keep 'should', 'ought to', and 'might' unchanged in reported speech. Example: 'You should stay' becomes 'She said I should stay'.
Overview
People say that...，而更倾向于使用 It is reported that... 或 The CEO is believed to have resigned.。这种表达方式在中文里通常翻译为“据报道……”或“据信……”，但在英语中，其背后的语法逻辑和时态变化要复杂得多。掌握这些结构，能让你在处理复杂信息时，精准地控制语气（Nuance）和客观性（Objectivity），避开主观臆断的嫌疑。这不仅是语法的进阶，更是思维方式向地道英语表达的跨越。- 直接引语：他说：“我能帮你。”
- 间接引语：他说他能帮我。（动词“能”没有任何形式变化）
- 被动报告：据认为，他是个天才。
can 变 could），而有些则雷打不动（如 should 永远是 should）。It is said that... 或更具挑战性的 Subject + is said to + infinitive 结构来实现这一点。后者之所以对中国学生难，是因为它涉及到了不定式的多种时态变化（如 to have done, to be doing），这在缺乏动词变位的中文里是完全找不到对应物的。said, told, explained）时，间接引语中的情态动词通常遵循以下变化：can | could | 表示能力或许可 |may | might | 表示可能性 |will | would | 表示将来的意图或预测 |shall | should / would | 表示建议用 should，表示将来用 would |must | must / had to | 表示推测保留 must；表示义务通常变 had to |have to | had to | 必须 |should,ought to,could,might,would,used to均不需要回退。- 例子：
- Direct:
You should drink more water,
the doctor said. - Reported:
The doctor said that I should drink more water.
say, believe, think, know, report, expect, claim 等动词。共有两种模式：- 公式：
It is/was + 过去分词 + that + 从句 - 例子：
It is believed that the company is facing bankruptcy.(据信该公司正面临破产。)
- 公式：
主语 + is/was + 过去分词 + to-infinitive
to-infinitive 有四种变形：- 1Simple Infinitive (
to do): 动作与报告同时发生或在报告之后。
He is said to live in London.(据说他住在伦敦。)
- 1Continuous Infinitive (
to be doing): 动作在报告时正在进行。
The fugitives are believed to be hiding in the mountains.(据信逃犯正躲在山里。)
- 1Perfect Infinitive (
to have done): 动作发生在报告之前（极其重要！）。
The painting is reported to have been stolen last night.(据报道，这幅画昨晚被偷了。)
- 1Passive Infinitive (
to be done/to have been done): 动作是被动的。
The problem is expected to be solved soon.(预计问题很快会得到解决。)
- 1追求客观与权威 (Objectivity & Authority):
It is widely acknowledged that... 比 I think... 更有说服力。它暗示这是一种公认的共识，而非个人观点。- 1保持距离感 (Distancing):
It was decided that several positions would be made redundant.(已决定裁撤部分岗位。)
I decided to fire some people 听起来要专业且“不那么伤人”得多。- 1处理不确定的传闻 (Handling Rumors):
The celebrity is rumored to have broken up with her boyfriend.(据传该明星已与男友分手。)
- 1强调信息本身而非来源 (Focusing on Information):
Passengers are reminded to keep their belongings with them.(提醒乘客随身携带好财物。)
should 或 might 进行过度回退 (Over-backshifting)- 典型错误：
He said I shoulded go.(错误) - 原因： 很多学生记住了“时态回退”的口诀，认为所有词都要变。但
should本身已经具备了虚拟或建议的语气，在间接引语中保持不变。 - 正确：
He said I should go.
- 典型错误：
He is said to finish the project yesterday.(错误) - 原因： 中文里没有不定式的完成时。学生习惯用
to finish来表达所有动作。但如果动作发生在过去（yesterday），必须用to have finished。 - 正确：
He is said to have finished the project yesterday.
must 的转述 (Misusing 'must')- 典型错误：
My boss said I must finish it by yesterday.(在转述过去发生的义务时) - 原因：
must表示“必须”时，其过去式实际上是had to。虽然在口语中保留must有时也被接受，但在 C1 级别的正式写作中，表达过去的义务应使用had to。 - 正确：
My boss said I had to finish it by the previous day.
People say that he is a genius. | 比较口语化，强调“人们”这个群体。 |It is said that he is a genius. | 正式，像新闻播报，将信息作为整体呈现。 |He is said to be a genius. | 最地道、最紧凑。将焦点完全对准“他”。 |- 直接：
"I can't come to the party." - 一般转述：
She said she couldn't come...(侧重于陈述事实) - 强调被动：
She is not expected to attend the party.(侧重于大家的预期，更委婉)
must 在间接引语中到底变不变？must 表示逻辑推测（比如：他肯定累了 He must be tired），转述时不变：She said he must be tired。如果表示命令或义务（你必须走 You must leave），转述时通常变为 had to。Subject + be said to...) 被认为是高级语法？It is said that 和 It is reported that 有区别吗？said 比较通用，reported 专指出自媒体或官方报告，alleged 则带有“未经证实、涉嫌”的法律色彩，常用于犯罪报道。It is thought that... 会让你显得非常专业。但在和朋友喝奶茶闲聊时，用 People say... 或 I heard... 会更自然。Modal Shifts in Reported Speech
| Direct Speech Modal | Reported Speech Modal | Example Direct | Example Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Will
|
Would
|
I will help.
|
He said he would help.
|
|
Can
|
Could
|
I can swim.
|
She said she could swim.
|
|
May (Possibility)
|
Might
|
It may rain.
|
He said it might rain.
|
|
May (Permission)
|
Could
|
May I leave?
|
He asked if he could leave.
|
|
Must (Obligation)
|
Had to
|
You must stay.
|
She said I had to stay.
|
|
Must (Deduction)
|
Must (no change)
|
He must be tired.
|
She said he must be tired.
|
|
Should / Ought to
|
No change
|
You should go.
|
He said I should go.
|
Passive Reporting Infinitive Forms
| Infinitive Type | Structure | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Simple
|
to + verb
|
Present/Future state
|
He is said to be rich.
|
|
Continuous
|
to be + -ing
|
Action in progress
|
They are thought to be hiding.
|
|
Perfect
|
to have + past participle
|
Past action
|
She is believed to have left.
|
|
Perfect Continuous
|
to have been + -ing
|
Past action over time
|
He is alleged to have been lying.
|
Meanings
This grammar allows speakers to report information, beliefs, or rumors without taking personal responsibility for the truth of the statement, often used in journalism and academic writing.
Reporting Modals
Changing the tense of modal verbs when moving from direct to indirect speech to maintain temporal logic.
“Direct: 'I may arrive late.' Indirect: 'He mentioned he might arrive late.'”
“Direct: 'You must sign this.' Indirect: 'She insisted that I had to sign it.'”
Impersonal Passive Reporting
Using 'It + passive verb + that' to report general opinions or facts objectively.
“It is widely believed that the climate is changing rapidly.”
“It has been suggested that the meeting be postponed.”
Personal Passive Reporting
Using 'Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive' to focus on the person or thing being discussed.
“The suspect is understood to be cooperating with the police.”
“The painting is estimated to be worth millions.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Impersonal Passive
|
It + is/was + [verb-ed] + that...
|
It is rumored that they are dating.
|
|
Personal Passive
|
Subject + is/was + [verb-ed] + to...
|
They are rumored to be dating.
|
|
Negative Passive
|
It + is not + [verb-ed] + that...
|
It is not known where he is.
|
|
Question Passive
|
Is it + [verb-ed] + that...?
|
Is it expected that she will win?
|
|
Past Modal Report
|
Subject + said + [modal-past] + verb
|
He said he could handle it.
|
|
Perfect Modal Report
|
Subject + said + [modal] + have + [verb-ed]
|
She said he might have forgotten.
|
正式程度
He is considered to be the most suitable candidate for the position. (Job recruitment)
It is thought that he is the best candidate. (Job recruitment)
Everyone says he's the best one for the job. (Job recruitment)
He's the GOAT for this role, no cap. (Job recruitment)
The Reporting Distance Map
Direct
- Active John said 'I will...'
Indirect
- Backshifted John said he would...
Objective
- Passive (It) It is said that...
- Passive (Subject) He is said to...
Modal Shift Timeline
Choosing Your Passive Structure
Focus on the person?
Action in the past?
按水平分级的例句
He says, 'I can help.'
He says he can help.
She says, 'I will go.'
She says she will go.
They say, 'We are happy.'
They say they are happy.
I say, 'I must leave.'
I say I must leave.
He said he could help.
He said he could help.
She told me she would come.
She told me she would come.
They said they might be late.
They said they might be late.
He said he had to go.
He said he had to go.
It is said that he is very rich.
It is said that he is very rich.
She suggested that we should leave.
She suggested that we should leave.
He claimed he could speak five languages.
He claimed he could speak five languages.
They promised they would finish on time.
They promised they would finish on time.
The company is thought to be losing money.
The company is thought to be losing money.
It was reported that the strike had ended.
It was reported that the strike had ended.
He is believed to have left the country.
He is believed to have left the country.
She insisted that he must have been joking.
She insisted that he must have been joking.
The suspect is understood to have been residing in London for years.
The suspect is understood to have been residing in London for years.
It is widely acknowledged that the policy may have been flawed.
It is widely acknowledged that the policy may have been flawed.
The artifact is estimated to date back to the 4th century.
The artifact is estimated to date back to the 4th century.
He is alleged to have been embezzling funds since 2015.
He is alleged to have been embezzling funds since 2015.
The manuscript is purported to have been authored by Shakespeare himself.
The manuscript is purported to have been authored by Shakespeare himself.
It has been contended that such measures might prove counterproductive.
It has been contended that such measures might prove counterproductive.
The witness is reported to have been under considerable duress.
The witness is reported to have been under considerable duress.
The findings are presumed to be indicative of a larger trend.
The findings are presumed to be indicative of a larger trend.
容易混淆
Learners confuse 'He was told' (someone spoke to him) with 'He is said to' (people talk about him).
Using 'that' after the subject-passive structure.
Using 'must' for past obligation in reported speech.
常见错误
He say he can help.
He says he can help.
He said he will come.
He said he would come.
It is said him to be rich.
He is said to be rich.
The thief is reported to escape last night.
The thief is reported to have escaped last night.
句型
It is ___ that ___.
The ___ is thought to be ___.
He is alleged to have ___.
They are understood to be ___ing ___.
Real World Usage
Local Man Reported to Have Won Lottery Twice
It is widely acknowledged that further research is required.
She's rumored to be getting the promotion.
The defendant is alleged to have committed the offense on June 1st.
The new iPhone is said to be coming out in September! 📱
The patient is understood to have a history of heart disease.
Use 'Understood' for Professionalism
Watch the Tense of 'Is'
The 'That' Shortcut
Avoiding Blame
Smart Tips
Use 'allegedly' or 'is alleged to have' when talking about unproven events.
Don't try to change them! They are already 'past' enough.
Look for the word 'that'. It's the signal that a full sentence is coming next.
Use the 'Subject + is said to' structure. It's the most natural way to describe what people think of someone.
发音
Weak forms of 'to'
In the structure 'is said to be', 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, rumored), not the 'is' or 'to'.
Falling intonation for certainty
It is widely believed that the economy will recover. ↘
Conveys a sense of established fact or high confidence.
记住它
记忆技巧
W.C.M. (Will to Would, Can to Could, May to Might) - The 'Wicked Cool Modals' shift back!
视觉联想
Imagine a news anchor sitting behind a desk. They aren't saying 'I think,' they are saying 'It is reported that...' This desk represents the 'Passive Reporting' structure that protects them from being wrong.
Rhyme
When reporting what they say, shift the modal back a day. If the source you want to hide, let the Passive be your guide.
Story
A detective is reporting on a mystery. He doesn't know the truth yet, so he tells his boss: 'The suspect is thought to have fled. It is believed that he might be in Paris. He was said to be carrying a red bag.'
Word Web
挑战
Write three sentences about a famous person using 'is rumored to', 'is said to have', and 'is thought to be'.
文化笔记
The BBC and other UK broadsheets frequently use 'is understood to' or 'is alleged to' to maintain a neutral, objective stance and avoid libel.
In US and UK universities, using 'It is argued that' is preferred over 'I think' to make the writing sound more scholarly and less biased.
In corporate 'office speak', passive reporting is used to deliver bad news gently or to distance the speaker from the decision.
Passive reporting structures evolved from Old English 'man sagt' (one says), similar to modern German.
对话开场白
What is something that is rumored to be true about a famous person?
It is said that technology makes us lonelier. Do you agree?
What are some things that were once thought to be impossible but are now common?
If you heard a colleague was said to be leaving, would you ask them about it?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
He said he ___ help me the next day.
The suspect is believed ___ (flee) the country last week.
Find and fix the mistake:
It is thought him to be the best player.
He is said to be a genius. -> ___
The modal 'should' always changes to 'would' in reported speech.
A: Did you hear about the CEO? B: Yes, she is rumored ___.
Select the modal that stays the same.
believed / to / is / have / the / painting / stolen / been
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesHe said he ___ help me the next day.
The suspect is believed ___ (flee) the country last week.
Find and fix the mistake:
It is thought him to be the best player.
He is said to be a genius. -> ___
The modal 'should' always changes to 'would' in reported speech.
A: Did you hear about the CEO? B: Yes, she is rumored ___.
Select the modal that stays the same.
believed / to / is / have / the / painting / stolen / been
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesShe told me she ___ call me back later.
It is rumored that he has been fire from his job.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate: 'Ella dijo que podría ayudarnos.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the modals:
It ___ that the new policy will face strong opposition.
The documents are thought to have be destroyed.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate: 'Se entiende que la empresa está contratando.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the structures:
Score: /12
常见问题 (8)
Use `It is said that...` when you want to emphasize the information itself. Use `He is said to...` when you want to focus on the person you are talking about. The latter is slightly more common in descriptions of people.
No. If `must` expresses a logical deduction (e.g., 'He must be tired'), it stays as `must`. If it expresses an obligation (e.g., 'You must go'), it changes to `had to`.
Yes, but it's very formal. In daily speech, we often use `is supposed to` or `is rumored to` instead of `is said to`.
`Is thought to be` refers to a present state (He is thought to be rich now). `Is thought to have been` refers to a past state (He is thought to have been rich in the 90s).
Not really. In informal English, we just say 'People say...' or 'I heard that...'. The passive version is for news, books, and formal reports.
Usually, no. `Allege` is almost always used for crimes or wrongdoings that haven't been proven yet.
We use `to have been` (the perfect infinitive) to show that the action happened *before* the reporting. It's like a 'past tense' for infinitives.
Yes. `Should`, `ought to`, `might`, and `could` (when expressing possibility) usually stay the same in reported speech.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que / Se cree que
Spanish lacks the 'Subject + to-infinitive' reporting structure.
On dit que / Il est dit que
French uses the pronoun 'On' much more frequently than English uses 'It is said'.
Soll-Konstruktion / Man sagt
German uses a modal verb ('sollen') instead of a passive verb ('is said').
~rashii / ~sou desu
Japanese reporting is handled by particles/auxiliaries, not by changing the main verb to passive.
يُقال أن (Yuqal anna)
Arabic rarely uses the personal 'Subject + to-infinitive' structure in this context.
据说 (Jùshuō)
Chinese has no verb conjugation or passive infinitive shifts.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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