Passive with Reporting Verbs — distancing & two core patterns
form = be (tense) + past participle of the reporting verb
Why use it?
- distance present information without taking personal responsibility: It is claimed that prices will fall.
- source unknown/impersonal common in news & academic style: It has been reported that the bridge is unsafe.
- focus on topic the person/thing reported about becomes the subject: The team is believed to be moving.
Typical reporting verbs: say, report, claim, announce, suggest, believe, think, expect, estimate, consider, understand, know, suppose, allege, rumour.
Pattern A — It + passive reporting verb + (that) + clause
- It is said that they are in Las Vegas.
- It has been announced that flights will resume.
- It was thought (that) the building could collapse.
Use present (is/are) for general current belief; was/were for beliefs in the past; has/have been when the report is recent/unspecified time.
Pattern B — Subject + passive reporting verb + to-infinitive
- They are said to be in Las Vegas.
- The CEO is expected to step down.
- Several errors were reported to have occurred.
Choose the infinitive form to show time/aspect of the reported action (see table).
Which infinitive do I need?
| When the reported action is… | Form after the passive | Example |
|---|---|---|
| simultaneous / general | to + base | He is believed to own several galleries. |
| in progress at that time | to be + -ing | They are thought to be hiding abroad. |
| earlier than the reporting | to have + past participle | She was said to have left the week before. |
| in progress earlier than the reporting | to have been + -ing | The firm is alleged to have been fixing prices. |
| future relative to the reporting | to + base (future meaning) | The team is expected to win tonight. |
Useful variants
- There + be: There are said to be delays on Line 2.
- be supposed to (common expectation/rule): Guests are supposed to show ID.
- consider + obj (+ to be): She is considered (to be) a pioneer.
With consider and elect/appoint/name, to be is often optional: He was elected (to be) chair.
Negatives & hedging
- He is not believed to have acted alone.
- She is believed not to be at risk. (both word orders are possible)
- Adverbs for distance: reportedly, allegedly, apparently.
Active → passive (reporting)
| Active source | Pattern A | Pattern B |
|---|---|---|
| People say that the company is insolvent. | It is said that the company is insolvent. | The company is said to be insolvent. |
| Reporters claimed that she left on Monday. | It was claimed that she left on Monday. | She was claimed to have left on Monday. |
| Experts think the volcano is erupting. | It is thought that the volcano is erupting. | The volcano is thought to be erupting. |
Common pitfalls
- ✖ *They are said that… → ✔ It is said that… / They are said to…
- Keep the to-infinitive after the passive reporting verb: is believed to be, not ✖ *is believed be.
- In headlines, the auxiliary is often present simple: “Mayor is said to resign.”
Use the passive tense you need (is/was/has been) to show when the report happened; use the infinitive choice to show when the reported event happened.
Exercises:
Passive with Reporting Verbs: “It is said that…”
Choose the correct option to complete the sentences below.
1
In local folklore,
the old castle is haunted.
2
The CEO
be considering a merger next year.
3
During the evening news, it
several flights were cancelled.
4
She
speak four languages fluently.
5
It
the museum will reopen on Friday.
6
The suspect
left the country under a false name.
7
Based on pre-orders, it
sales will increase in Q4.
8
The athletes
train at high altitude every summer.
9
From its style, it
the painting dates back to the 17th century.
10
After the vote, the minister
resign.
Passive with Reporting Verbs: “It is said that…”
Choose the correct option for each gap below.
1
_____ that the actor is moving to Paris.
A.
B.
C.
2
The singer _____ release a new album next month.
A.
B.
C.
3
The company _____ to have cut prices recently.
A.
B.
C.
4
It _____ that the show will run for another year.
A.
B.
C.
5
The museum _____ to be over 200 years old.
A.
B.
C.
6
She _____ to arrive late because of traffic.
A.
B.
C.
7
It _____ that fewer people are using cash now.
A.
B.
C.
8
The two teams _____ to have met in secret.
A.
B.
C.
9
The building _____ open to the public next week.
A.
B.
C.
10
_____ that the manager resigned because of health issues.
A.
B.
C.
Passive with Reporting Verbs: “It is said that…”
Fill in the gaps with a passive structure using the passive form of the underlined reporting verbs. Do NOT use contracted forms.
1
People say that the gallery opens at ten. ⇒ It that the gallery opens at ten.
2
They believe the company will expand soon. ⇒ It that the company will expand soon.
3
Locals think the bridge is unsafe. ⇒ The bridge to be unsafe.
4
Journalists report that the suspect has left the country. ⇒ The suspect to have left the country.
5
Many people consider her a pioneer. ⇒ She to be a pioneer.
6
Experts estimate the damage at two million dollars. ⇒ The damage to be about two million dollars.
7
They supposed the plan was risky. ⇒ It that the plan was risky.
8
Authorities know the files are encrypted. ⇒ The files to be encrypted.
9
Analysts expect inflation to fall. ⇒ Inflation to fall.
10
Scientists have understood that the species migrated north. ⇒ It that the species migrated north.