It Is Said That and He Is Said To
Use impersonal and personal passive reporting structures to present claims without naming the source.
Learning Objective
It Is Said That and He Is Said To
Transform active reports with say, believe, think, and expect into accurate passive reporting structures.
Clear Explanation
Passive reporting can use introductory it plus a that-clause, or make the reported person or thing the subject followed by a to-infinitive.
Form and Structure
It + be + reported + that-clause; subject + be + reported + to-infinitive
“It is believed that the painting is authentic.”
These structures distance the writer from the claim; they do not prove that the claim is true. A source should be named when credibility and accountability matter.
Meaning and Use
Impersonal pattern
Use it when the whole reported proposition is the focus.
“It is thought that the policy will change.”
Personal pattern
Make the reported participant the subject when that participant is the focus.
“The minister is thought to support the proposal.”
Earlier reported event
Use a perfect infinitive when the reported action happened earlier.
“He is said to have left the country.”
Common Errors and Meaning Traps
It is said him to be wealthy.
He is said to be wealthy.
Use the person as the subject in the personal passive pattern.
It is believed the plan will work.
It is believed that the plan will work.
Include that before the reported clause in this structure.
She is said that she resigned.
She is said to have resigned.
After the passive reporting verb, use an infinitive; the perfect infinitive marks the earlier resignation.
Guided Practice
Use the grammar in context
“The painting is believed to be authentic.”
“The company is expected to announce the results tomorrow.”
Transform two active reports into both the impersonal and personal passive patterns.
Quick Recap
Passive reporting can use introductory it plus a that-clause, or make the reported person or thing the subject followed by a to-infinitive.
Use it when the whole reported proposition is the focus.
These structures distance the writer from the claim; they do not prove that the claim is true. A source should be named when credibility and accountability matter.
Use the person as the subject in the personal passive pattern.
Independent Mastery Check
Complete these four checks before taking the quiz. If one feels difficult, return to the matching section and try again.
Explain the core rule in your own words without looking back at the lesson.
Find the target form in “It is believed that the painting is authentic.” and explain what it communicates in this context.
Explain why “He is said to be wealthy.” is the recommended revision for “It is said him to be wealthy.”.
Transform two active reports into both the impersonal and personal passive patterns.
Continue at B1-B2 Level
Aim for at least 5 out of 6 in the quiz below. For every missed answer, read the explanation, return to the relevant section, and try the quiz again.
Which statement best explains It Is Said That and He Is Said To?
Now Put It Into Practice — Out Loud
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