Lesson focus

Impersonal and personal passive reporting structures for claims, beliefs, expectations, allegations and formal news style

Advanced aim: Report claims at different time depths while controlling source distance and evidential commitment in formal prose and news style.

Is said to

Use subject + be said to + infinitive to report a current claim without naming the source.

• Example: The building is said to contain a network of underground tunnels.
• In another context: The municipal hall is said to contain a network of underground tunnels.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Is believed to be

Be believed to be reports a current belief in a concise formal style.

• Example: The painting is believed to be an early work by the artist.
• In another context: The ceramic panel is believed to be an early work by the artist.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Is thought to have

Use be thought to have + past participle for a reported earlier event.

• Example: The suspect is thought to have left the country on Tuesday.
• In another context: Regional example: The suspect is thought to have left the country on Tuesday.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Was alleged to have

Be alleged to have is common for unverified claims about past actions.

• Example: The company was alleged to have concealed several safety reports.
• In another context: The research institute was alleged to have concealed several inspection records.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

It is widely assumed that

Impersonal it + passive reporting verb + that-clause is common in formal argument and reporting.

• Example: It is widely assumed that demand will recover next year.
• In another context: It is widely assumed that demand will recover over the coming year.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Is expected to

Be expected to reports predictions, obligations or official expectations.

• Example: The new terminal is expected to open in early spring.
• In another context: Alternative case study: The new terminal is expected to open in early spring.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Is understood to

Be understood to presents information as generally accepted or officially known.

• Example: The two sides are understood to be close to an agreement.
• In another context: Regional example: The two sides are understood to be close to an agreement.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Is reported to be

Be reported to be is common in news style when the source is unspecified or secondary.

• Example: At least five roads are reported to be closed after the storm.
• In another context: At least five roads are reported to be closed after the flooding.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

There is believed to be

Use There is/are believed to be for reported existence.

• Example: There is believed to be significant mineral wealth beneath the region.
• In another context: Follow-up case: There is believed to be significant mineral wealth beneath the region.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Perfect reporting infinitive

Use a perfect infinitive when the reported action happened before the reporting time.

• Example: The minister is reported to have resigned late last night.
• In another context: The department secretary is reported to have resigned late last night.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.