Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the reported passive to share information without naming a specific source, common in news and gossip.
- Use 'It + is/was + past participle + that' for general claims (e.g., 'It is said that...').
- Use 'Subject + is/was + past participle + to-infinitive' for specific people (e.g., 'He is thought to be...').
- Common verbs include: say, think, believe, consider, report, know, and rumor.
Overview
People say... 或 I heard that... 的单一表达方式，学会使用像 It is reported that... 或 He is said to... 这样更具“高级感”的句式。这不仅是语法的提升，更是思维方式向英语客观化表达的转变。say(说)think(认为)believe(相信)know(知道)report(报道)understand(理解/据了解)expect(预料)allege(指控/声称)claim(声称)
- 1形式主语逻辑 (
It+ Passive Verb +thatclause)：
It 作为形式主语（Dummy Subject），它不代表具体的人或物，只是为了占个位子，引出后面的 that 从句。这非常符合中文“据...说”的逻辑，因此对中国学生来说相对容易掌握。例如：It is said that the project will be delayed. (据说项目会推迟。)- 1话题主语逻辑 (Subject + Passive Verb +
toinfinitive)：
The project is said to be delayed. (这个项目据说会被推迟。)It + 被动报道动词 + that 从句be 动词的时态，然后加上报道动词的过去分词（V3）。It is believed that... | 大家普遍相信... |It was reported that... | 当时据报道... |It has been claimed that... | 一直有人声称... |It is expected that the new iPhone will be released in September. (预计新 iPhone 将在九月发布。)to 不定式to 后面接什么形式。请看下表：to + do | 同时发生或将来发生 | He is said to live in London. | 据说他住在伦敦。 (现在住) |to + have + done | 发生在报道之前 | He is said to have escaped. | 据说他已经逃跑了。 (先逃跑，后被报道) |to + be + doing | 正在进行中 | They are thought to be hiding. | 大家认为他们正藏起来。 (正在藏) |to + have been + doing | 过去持续发生 | She is said to have been working here for years. | 据说她在这里工作很多年了。 |to + be + done | 被动动作 | The building is expected to be demolished. | 预计这栋建筑将被拆除。 |The CEO is rumored to have resigned. (CEO 被传已经辞职了。)People say 呢？- 1发布正式新闻或通报：
It is reported that...。这能避免主观色彩。比如关于天气预报：It is expected that heavy rain will hit the city tomorrow. (预计明天大雨将袭击本市。)- 1讨论传闻或八卦（Rumors）：
He is rumored to be getting a promotion. (传闻他要升职了。) 这里的 rumor 作为动词，完美替代了中文的“听说”。- 1表达普遍认知或科学常识：
It is widely known that smoking causes cancer. (众所周知，吸烟致癌。) 或者 The Great Wall is said to be visible from space. (据说从太空能看到长城。)- 1法律与指控（保持严谨）：
allege (声称)。例如：The suspect is alleged to have stolen the car. (嫌疑人被指控偷了那辆车。) 如果直接说 The suspect stole the car，在法律上是不严谨的，因为还没定罪。be 动词He said to be a billionaire.He is said to be a billionaire.is said。没有 is，这句话就变成了“他（自己）说要成为亿万富翁”，意思完全变了。He is said that he is rich. (❌)It is said that he is rich. (✅ 模式一) 或 He is said to be rich. (✅ 模式二)It 做开头接 that 从句，要么用 He 做开头接 to do。不能把两者混在一起。The thief is reported to escape yesterday.The thief is reported to have escaped yesterday.to have escaped。如果用 to escape，听起来像是小偷今天或以后才要逃跑。People say that Jack is a genius. | 非正式，强调“人们”这个群体。 |It is said that Jack is a genius. | 正式，像新闻报道或客观陈述。 |Jack is said to be a genius. | 焦点在 Jack 身上，非常地道的英语表达。 |They believe he stole the money. | 动作发出者是 They。 |It is believed that he stole the money. | 关注“他偷钱”这个事实。 |He is believed to have stolen the money. | 关注“他”这个人，且使用了 to have stolen 表达过去。 |say, think, believe, report, know, expect 等。你不能说 He is eaten to... (❌)，因为 eat 不是报道动词。It is said that... 和模式二 He is said to... 哪个更常用？He is said to... 被认为更“地道”且“简洁”，因为它直接以谈论的对象为主语，减少了冗余的词汇。be 动词。例如：It was believed that the earth was flat. (过去人们相信地球是平的。) 这里的 was believed 说明这种观点现在可能已经不再被持有了。She is said to be dating a movie star! (据说她正和电影明星约会呢！) 这种说法比 I heard... 听起来更有“据可靠消息称”的神秘感。Reporting Verb Structures
| Structure Type | Subject | Passive Reporting Verb | Connector/Infinitive | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Impersonal
|
It
|
is said / was believed
|
that + clause
|
It is said that he is kind.
|
|
Personal (Present)
|
He / She / They
|
is thought / are known
|
to + infinitive
|
He is thought to be kind.
|
|
Personal (Past)
|
The suspect
|
is alleged
|
to have + past participle
|
He is alleged to have stolen it.
|
|
Personal (Continuous)
|
The team
|
is reported
|
to be + -ing
|
They are reported to be winning.
|
|
Negative Impersonal
|
It
|
is not expected
|
that + clause
|
It is not expected that they win.
|
|
Question Personal
|
Is
|
he known
|
to be + adjective
|
Is he known to be reliable?
|
Meanings
A grammatical structure used to report opinions, rumors, or facts when the specific source of the information is unknown, unimportant, or needs to be distanced from the speaker.
Impersonal Reporting
Using 'It' as a dummy subject to introduce a general belief or news item.
“It is reported that the strike will end tomorrow.”
“It was thought that the earth was flat.”
Personal Subject Reporting
Focusing on a specific person or thing as the subject of the rumor or belief.
“The CEO is said to be resigning next month.”
“The painting is believed to be a forgery.”
Past Reporting
Reporting something that was believed in the past but may not be now.
“He was known to be a difficult boss.”
“It was alleged that he stole the money.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (It)
|
It + is + p.p. + that...
|
It is believed that he is innocent.
|
|
Affirmative (Subject)
|
Subject + is + p.p. + to...
|
He is believed to be innocent.
|
|
Negative (It)
|
It + is not + p.p. + that...
|
It is not thought that the price will fall.
|
|
Negative (Subject)
|
Subject + is not + p.p. + to...
|
The price is not thought to fall.
|
|
Question (It)
|
Is it + p.p. + that...?
|
Is it reported that the king is ill?
|
|
Question (Subject)
|
Is + subject + p.p. + to...?
|
Is the king reported to be ill?
|
|
Past Action (Subject)
|
Subject + is + p.p. + to have + p.p.
|
She is said to have won the lottery.
|
正式程度
It is widely considered that the company is facing insolvency. (Business discussion)
The company is thought to be failing. (Business discussion)
Word is the company is going under. (Business discussion)
People are saying the company is toast. (Business discussion)
Common Reporting Verbs
Belief
- believe believe
- think think
- consider consider
Speech
- say say
- report report
- allege allege
Knowledge
- know know
- understand understand
Active vs. Reported Passive
Choosing Your Structure
Do you want to focus on a specific person?
按水平分级的例句
People say he is rich.
People say he is rich.
They say it is a good movie.
They say it is a good movie.
Everyone says the food is great.
Everyone says the food is great.
My friends say she is nice.
My friends say she is nice.
It is said that he is a hero.
It is said that he is a hero.
It is known that the sun is hot.
It is known that the sun is hot.
It is thought that they are happy.
It is thought that they are happy.
Is it said that the party is at 8?
Is it said that the party is at 8?
The company is expected to grow this year.
The company is expected to grow this year.
It is reported that the road is closed.
It is reported that the road is closed.
He is believed to have stolen the car.
He is believed to have stolen the car.
The team is thought to be the best in the league.
The team is thought to be the best in the league.
The suspect is alleged to have fled the country.
The suspect is alleged to have fled the country.
It is widely assumed that the tax will increase.
It is widely assumed that the tax will increase.
The ruins are considered to be over 2,000 years old.
The ruins are considered to be over 2,000 years old.
She is understood to be working on a new book.
She is understood to be working on a new book.
The policy is rumored to be under review by the committee.
The policy is rumored to be under review by the committee.
It is contended that the data was misinterpreted.
It is contended that the data was misinterpreted.
He is reputed to have been the finest architect of his generation.
He is reputed to have been the finest architect of his generation.
The species was previously thought to have been extinct.
The species was previously thought to have been extinct.
The document is purported to be the original treaty.
The document is purported to be the original treaty.
It is held by many scholars that the text is a later addition.
It is held by many scholars that the text is a later addition.
The CEO is rumored to have been ousted in a boardroom coup.
The CEO is rumored to have been ousted in a boardroom coup.
The findings are expected to be met with significant skepticism.
The findings are expected to be met with significant skepticism.
容易混淆
Learners often use 'They say' when 'It is said' would be more appropriate for the formal context.
Mixing 'He is said that...' and 'It is said to...'.
Confusing 'He is said to have...' with 'He had his hair cut'.
常见错误
He says that he is rich.
People say he is rich.
It says that it will rain.
It is said that it will rain.
He is said that he is a genius.
He is said to be a genius.
The thief is believed escaped.
The thief is believed to have escaped.
It is alleged him to be the killer.
He is alleged to be the killer.
句型
It is ___ that ___.
___ is/are thought to ___.
___ is said to have ___.
It was once believed that ___.
Real World Usage
It is reported that the ceasefire has been signed.
She is rumored to be getting a promotion.
The theory is considered to be outdated.
The suspect is believed to be armed and dangerous.
The temple is said to have been built in a single night.
The new iPhone is expected to have a better camera.
The 'It' Shortcut
Avoid 'He is said that'
Use 'Allegedly'
Journalistic Safety
Smart Tips
Start your sentences with 'It is reported that...' or 'It is understood that...'.
Use 'He is rumored to...' to share a secret without sounding like you are the one who started it.
Use 'It is widely considered that...' instead of 'Many people think...'.
Remember that 'to have' means the action happened *before* the rumor started.
发音
Stress on the Reporting Verb
In the reported passive, the main stress usually falls on the past participle of the reporting verb (said, thought, believed).
The 'to' reduction
In the personal subject structure, the word 'to' is often reduced to a weak 'tuh' sound.
Falling intonation for facts
It is known that the earth is round. ↘
Conveys certainty and finality.
记住它
记忆技巧
Remember 'IT' for 'Information Total' (It is said that...) and 'S' for 'Specific Subject' (She is said to...).
视觉联想
Imagine a news anchor behind a desk. When they look at the camera and say 'It is reported...', they are talking to everyone. When they point to a photo of a celebrity and say 'He is rumored...', they are focusing on that person.
Rhyme
If you don't know who said the word, use the passive to be heard.
Story
A detective arrives at a crime scene. He doesn't know who the thief is. He tells the press, 'It is believed that the thief entered through the window.' Later, when they find a suspect, he says, 'The suspect is thought to have hidden the jewels.'
Word Web
挑战
Write three rumors about your favorite celebrity using 'is said to', 'is rumored to', and 'is thought to'.
文化笔记
Journalists use 'alleged' or 'it is reported' to avoid lawsuits. If they say 'He is a thief' and it's not proven, they can be sued. If they say 'He is alleged to be a thief,' they are just reporting a claim.
British news (like the BBC) uses the reported passive very frequently to maintain a tone of 'impartiality' and 'stiff upper lip' objectivity.
In universities, using 'I think' is often discouraged. Students are taught to use 'It is argued that' or 'It is considered' to make their writing sound more scientific.
The use of the passive voice for distancing comes from Latin legal and academic traditions, which heavily influenced Middle English.
对话开场白
What is a famous rumor about a celebrity that is said to be true?
It is reported that robots will take many jobs. What do you think?
Is there a place in your city that is thought to be haunted?
What are some things that were once believed to be true but are now known to be false?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
It is _______ (believe) that the company will close next year.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
The thief is thought to escaped through the window.
People say that he lives in New York. -> He _______.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
We can use the verb 'want' in the reported passive structure (e.g., 'It is wanted that...').
A: Did you hear about the CEO? B: Yes, she is rumored _______ resigning.
Verbs: say, eat, believe, run, report, sleep.
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesIt is _______ (believe) that the company will close next year.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
The thief is thought to escaped through the window.
People say that he lives in New York. -> He _______.
1. People think she is rich. 2. People thought she was rich.
We can use the verb 'want' in the reported passive structure (e.g., 'It is wanted that...').
A: Did you hear about the CEO? B: Yes, she is rumored _______ resigning.
Verbs: say, eat, believe, run, report, sleep.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe new restaurant ___ to open next month.
It is believed the ancient text existed for centuries.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Se informa que el concierto fue un éxito.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the beginnings with the correct endings:
The celebrity is understood ___ in secret for months.
Many students are expected to will attend the orientation.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the reporting verbs with their correct infinitive forms:
Score: /12
常见问题 (8)
No, only verbs related to saying, thinking, or believing (e.g., `say`, `think`, `believe`, `report`, `know`). You can't say `It is eaten that...`.
They mean the same thing, but 'It is said that' focuses on the whole idea, while 'He is said to' focuses on the person.
It's more common in formal speaking (like news) or when sharing rumors. In casual talk, we usually say `I heard that...` or `They say...`.
Use `to have + past participle`. For example: `He is said to have left` means people say he left in the past.
To protect themselves legally. It shows they are reporting a claim, not stating a proven fact.
Yes! `It was said that...` means people used to say it, but maybe they don't anymore.
Yes, but `Rumor has it` is an idiomatic expression, while `It is rumored that` is a standard passive structure.
Mixing the two forms, like saying `He is said that he is...`. Remember: `It` + `that`, `He` + `to`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que...
Spanish lacks the personal subject + passive + to-infinitive structure.
On dit que...
French uses an active subject 'on' instead of a passive 'it'.
Man sagt, dass...
German uses 'man' or 'es wird' rather than personal subject passives.
...to iwarete iru
Japanese word order is different, but the logic of using a passive verb is very similar.
Yuqālu 'anna...
Arabic usually keeps the verb at the start of the sentence.
Jùshuō (据说)
Chinese doesn't use a 'passive' verb form because Chinese verbs don't conjugate for voice.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
相关视频
Related Grammar Rules
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