Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use passive reporting to talk about general beliefs or news without naming a specific person as the source.
- Use 'It + is + said + that' for general statements like 'It is said that he is rich.'
- Use 'Subject + is + thought + to' for specific focus like 'He is thought to be rich.'
- Common verbs include: say, think, believe, consider, report, know, and expect.
Overview
say 或 tell 这两个万能动词，例如：He said he was happy. 或者 She told me to go.。虽然这在语法上没有错误，但在实际沟通中，这种表达方式显得单调，且无法精准传达说话者的语气、意图或态度。- 如果原话是：
"I'll definitely be there!"，你可以用promise（承诺）。 - 如果原话是：
You should try the new milk tea shop.
recommend（推荐）。 - 如果原话是：
"No, I didn't take the money!"，你可以用deny（否认）。
said, suggested, claimed）是过去时，那么后面引导的从句通常也要向过去推一个时态。这与中文有很大不同，中文里“他说他很忙”和“他说他当时很忙”，动词“忙”本身是不变的，我们只靠时间词来区分。但在英语中：- 原话：
I am busy. - 转述：
He said he was busy.
It is reported that...(据报道……)He is said to be...(据说他……)
that 在口语中常省略。适用于陈述事实、观点或声明。He admitted (that) he was late. | 承认错误或事实。 |She claimed (that) she won the lottery. | 声称某事（可能并非真实）。 |The teacher explained (that) the exam was cancelled. | 解释原因或情况。 |I suggested (that) we meet at the subway station. | 提出建议。 |The suspect denied (that) he had stolen the phone. | 否认某项指控。 |The doctor advised me to sleep more. | 给出专业建议。 |My parents encouraged me to take the Gaokao. | 鼓励、支持。 |Please remind him to bring the charger. | 提醒某人，防止忘记。 |The guard warned us not to enter the building. | 警告不要做某事。 |I persuaded my friend to buy the same shoes. | 说服、劝服。 |to do。They agreed to sign the contract. | 同意做某事。 |He offered to help me with the luggage. | 主动提出帮忙。 |I promise to call you when I arrive. | 做出承诺。 |She refused to answer the question. | 拒绝做某事。 |-ing 形式，这在中文思维里比较难转换，需要死记硬背。He suggested ordering takeout. | 建议做某事（不针对特定人）。 |I recommend visiting the Forbidden City. | 推荐（一种体验或动作）。 |The boy denied breaking the window. | 否认做过某事。 |She admitted cheating on the test. | 承认做过某事。 |He apologised for losing my book. | 为某事道歉。 |She insisted on paying for the coffee. | 坚持要做某事。 |They accused him of lying. | 指控某人做了某事。 |Boss said we need to work hard.，听起来像小学生。尝试这样写：The manager emphasized that quality is more important than speed.(经理强调了……)The team proposed reducing the marketing budget.(团队提议削减预算。)He pointed out that the data was outdated.(他指出数据过时了。)
The news claims that the celebrity is getting married.(新闻声称……)Everyone is talking about the new bubble tea shop.(大家都在谈论……)My friend mentioned seeing you at the subway station yesterday.(我朋友提到昨天在地铁站见过你。)
I apologised for the misunderstanding.(我为误会道歉。)He denied any involvement in the argument.(他否认参与了争吵。)She explained why she couldn't attend the party.(她解释了为什么不能参加派对。)
suggest 的误用 (The Suggest to do Trap)He suggested me to go to the hospital. (×)tell me to go 的结构。但 suggest 后面绝对不能接 object + to do。He suggested that I (should) go to the hospital.(√)He suggested going to the hospital.(√)
say 和 tell 的混淆He said me that he was tired. (×) / He told that he was tired. (×)say后面不能直接加人（除非用say to me）。tell后面必须加人（除非是tell a story/truth）。
He said (to me) that he was tired.(√)He told me that he was tired.(√)
Yesterday, she told me she is going to Shanghai. (×)told，从句也必须回退。Yesterday, she told me she was going to Shanghai. (√)Advise vs Suggest vs Recommendadvise sb to do | The expert advised us to wait. |suggest doing / suggest that... | I suggest taking a taxi. |recommend sth/doing | I recommend this Taobao shop. |Claim vs State vs MaintainThe report states that the population is aging. |He claims to have found a cure for the virus. |She maintains that she is innocent. |that 什么时候可以省略？that 通常可以省略，如 He said (that) he was hungry.。但在正式的学术论文或法律文件中，建议保留 that 以增加句子的清晰度。suggest 后面接从句时，动词用原形？suggest, propose, insist, demand 等词后的 that 从句中，动词其实是 (should) + do，所以即使主语是 he/she，动词也用原形。例如：I suggest that he be on time.The teacher said that the Earth goes around the Sun. (这里用 goes 比 went 更自然，因为地球现在还在绕着太阳转)。to do (tell, order, ask)，分享类接 that (say, explain, claim)，建议类接 -ing 或 that (suggest, recommend)。最重要的是在阅读中积累，当你看到一个动词时，顺便看一眼它后面跟着什么“小尾巴”。Common Reporting Verbs in the Passive
| Verb | It-Structure (Present) | Subject-Structure (Present) | Past Meaning (Subject-Structure) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Say
|
It is said that...
|
He is said to be...
|
He is said to have been...
|
|
Think
|
It is thought that...
|
He is thought to be...
|
He is thought to have been...
|
|
Believe
|
It is believed that...
|
He is believed to be...
|
He is believed to have been...
|
|
Know
|
It is known that...
|
He is known to be...
|
He is known to have been...
|
|
Report
|
It is reported that...
|
He is reported to be...
|
He is reported to have been...
|
|
Expect
|
It is expected that...
|
He is expected to be...
|
He is expected to have been...
|
Meanings
A formal way to report what people generally say, think, or believe without identifying the specific speakers.
General Belief
Reporting a widely held opinion or fact using 'It is said that...'
“It is thought that the earth was once much hotter.”
“It is known that smoking causes cancer.”
Specific Subject Focus
Starting the sentence with the person or thing being talked about.
“She is said to be the best doctor in town.”
“The thief is believed to have escaped through the window.”
Rumors and Allegations
Reporting something that hasn't been proven yet, often in legal or journalistic contexts.
“He is alleged to have stolen the car.”
“The suspect is reported to be hiding in the forest.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (It)
|
It + is + V3 + that + clause
|
It is said that he is a hero.
|
|
Affirmative (Subject)
|
Subject + is + V3 + to + infinitive
|
He is said to be a hero.
|
|
Negative (It)
|
It + is not + V3 + that + clause
|
It is not thought that the plan will work.
|
|
Negative (Subject)
|
Subject + is not + V3 + to + infinitive
|
The plan is not thought to work.
|
|
Question (It)
|
Is it + V3 + that + clause?
|
Is it known that they are leaving?
|
|
Question (Subject)
|
Is + Subject + V3 + to + infinitive?
|
Are they known to be leaving?
|
|
Past (Subject)
|
Subject + is + V3 + to have + V3
|
He is thought to have escaped.
|
正式程度
He is considered to be a genius. (Academic or social evaluation)
It is thought that he is a genius. (Academic or social evaluation)
Everyone thinks he's a genius. (Academic or social evaluation)
People say he's got a massive brain. (Academic or social evaluation)
The Reporting Verb Web
Thoughts
- Think thought
- Believe believed
- Consider considered
Speech
- Say said
- Report reported
- Claim claimed
Active vs. Passive Reporting
Choosing Your Structure
Do you want to start with 'It'?
Is the action in the past?
Common Verbs by Context
News
- • Report
- • Allege
- • Claim
Science
- • Know
- • Believe
- • Consider
按水平分级的例句
People say he is a good teacher.
People say he is a good teacher.
They think the movie is funny.
They think the movie is funny.
Everyone knows her name.
Everyone knows her name.
I believe you are right.
I believe you are right.
It is said that the food here is great.
It is said that the food here is great.
It is known that he is very rich.
It is known that he is very rich.
People believe the story is true.
People believe the story is true.
It is thought that the cat is lost.
It is thought that the cat is lost.
It is believed that the strike will end soon.
It is believed that the strike will end soon.
The painting is thought to be a fake.
The painting is thought to be a fake.
He is said to live in a huge mansion.
He is said to live in a huge mansion.
It is expected that the team will win.
It is expected that the team will win.
The CEO is reported to have resigned yesterday.
The CEO is reported to have resigned yesterday.
It is widely considered that his work is revolutionary.
It is widely considered that his work is revolutionary.
The suspect is alleged to have stolen the jewels.
The suspect is alleged to have stolen the jewels.
The virus is known to spread through the air.
The virus is known to spread through the air.
The manuscript is reputed to have been written by Dickens.
The manuscript is reputed to have been written by Dickens.
It is understood that negotiations are at a delicate stage.
It is understood that negotiations are at a delicate stage.
He is thought to have been working for the government for years.
He is thought to have been working for the government for years.
The company is estimated to be worth over ten billion dollars.
The company is estimated to be worth over ten billion dollars.
The artifact is purportedly to have originated from the Ming Dynasty.
The artifact is purportedly to have originated from the Ming Dynasty.
It is contended by some scholars that the text is a later addition.
It is contended by some scholars that the text is a later addition.
The defendant is claimed to have been being coerced at the time of the crime.
The defendant is claimed to have been being coerced at the time of the crime.
The policy is widely acknowledged to have been a failure.
The policy is widely acknowledged to have been a failure.
容易混淆
Learners think every passive sentence needs 'by someone'.
Mixing 'He said that...' with 'He is said to...'.
Using 'that' after a person-subject.
常见错误
People says he is good.
People say he is good.
Is said that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
He is said that he lives in London.
He is said to live in London.
It is believed to be true.
It is believed that it is true.
He is thought to be a thief last year.
He is thought to have been a thief last year.
He is alleged to steal the money yesterday.
He is alleged to have stolen the money yesterday.
句型
It is ___ that ___.
The ___ is thought to be ___.
He is said to have ___.
It is widely ___ that ___.
Real World Usage
The suspect is believed to be heading south.
It is generally accepted that the data is accurate.
It is rumored that the boss is quitting.
I am known to be a very hard worker.
This temple is thought to have been built in 500 BC.
The defendant is alleged to have committed fraud.
Use it for 'Distancing'
Don't overdo it
The 'To-Infinitive' trick
Polite Disagreement
Smart Tips
Replace 'I think' with 'It is often argued that' or 'It is generally believed that'.
Always look for the 'to'. If there is no 'to', the sentence is likely wrong.
Use 'It is rumored that...'. It completely removes you from the gossip.
Remember: 'to have' is your time machine. Use it to go back in time.
发音
Weak 'to'
In the structure 'is said to be', the word 'to' is usually reduced to a schwa /tə/.
Linking 'is'
The 'is' often links to the following past participle.
Reporting Stress
It is SAID that he is RICH.
Stress the reporting verb and the key information at the end.
记住它
记忆技巧
Remember 'IT THAT' or 'SUBJECT TO'. It's either 'It... that' or 'Subject... 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 is the 'It is' structure—it's formal and hides the person.
Rhyme
When 'It' is the start, 'that' plays the part. When the Subject is first, 'to' quenches the thirst.
Story
A detective is investigating a crime. He doesn't know who the witness is, so he writes in his notebook: 'The suspect is thought to have fled.' He uses this to sound professional and avoid blaming a specific person for the rumor.
Word Web
挑战
Look at a news headline today. Try to rewrite it using 'It is said that...' or 'The [Subject] is said to...'.
文化笔记
British news (like the BBC) uses these structures very frequently to maintain a 'neutral' and 'unbiased' tone.
In Western universities, using 'I think' in an essay is often discouraged. Students are taught to use 'It is argued that...' or 'It is generally accepted that...'.
Lawyers use 'alleged' to avoid lawsuits. If you say 'He is a thief' and it's not proven, you can be sued. If you say 'He is alleged to be a thief', you are safe.
This structure evolved from Old English 'man' (similar to German 'man'), which was an indefinite pronoun meaning 'one' or 'people'.
对话开场白
It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Do you agree?
Your favorite celebrity is rumored to be moving to your city. What do you do?
It is expected that AI will change every job. How will it change yours?
Which historical figure is considered to be the most influential?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
It ___ that the company is losing money.
He is said ___ live in a castle.
Find and fix the mistake:
She is thought that she is the best singer.
People say that he is a genius.
We use 'to have + past participle' to talk about the past in reporting structures.
A: Is the new movie good? B: Well, it ___ to be the best of the year.
Pick the odd one out.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesIt ___ that the company is losing money.
He is said ___ live in a castle.
Find and fix the mistake:
She is thought that she is the best singer.
People say that he is a genius.
We use 'to have + past participle' to talk about the past in reporting structures.
A: Is the new movie good? B: Well, it ___ to be the best of the year.
Pick the odd one out.
1. People think he is rich. 2. People say he was rich.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe news report ___ that the new stadium would be completed by next year.
She apologized for miss her flight.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella me recordó que enviara el correo electrónico.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the verbs with their patterns:
It ___ that the ancient city was built by an unknown civilization.
My friend said me to buy more milk.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Sugirió pedir comida para llevar.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the verbs with the prepositions:
Score: /12
常见问题 (8)
No, 'It is said' implies a general consensus or rumor. For your own opinion, use `I think` or `In my opinion`.
Yes, much more formal. It is preferred in writing and professional contexts.
No, only 'reporting' or 'mental' verbs like `say, think, believe, know, expect, report, consider, allege`.
The first is about the present ('He is rich now'). The second is about the past ('He was rich before').
In English, every sentence needs a subject. 'It' acts as a 'dummy subject' to fill the space when we don't want to name a person.
Yes, it is common in both British and American English, especially in news and formal writing.
Yes, but it's more common to say `It is said that it is true` or `The story is said to be true`.
Mostly, yes. It means something is claimed but not yet proven in a court of law.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que...
Spanish lacks the 'He is said to be' structure.
On dit que...
French uses an active pronoun 'on' instead of a passive verb.
Man sagt, dass...
German uses the modal verb 'sollen' for reporting.
...to iwarete iru
Japanese word order is reversed, with the reporting verb at the end.
Yuqal 'anna...
Arabic usually keeps the 'that' (anna) structure.
Jùshuō (据说)
Chinese doesn't use verb conjugation or a 'to-infinitive' structure.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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Passive Reporting Verbs in English | IT IS SAID THAT, IT IS THOUGHT THAT
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