Reporting with Passives: Evidence and Time Reference
Use passive reporting structures with precise infinitive time reference while maintaining responsible attribution and evidential caution.
Learning Objective
Reporting with Passives: Evidence and Time Reference
Select a reporting verb and infinitive form that accurately represents source, evidence, timing, and degree of commitment.
Clear Explanation
A subject passive with a reporting verb is followed by an infinitive whose aspect locates the reported situation: simple for simultaneous states, continuous for an unfolding process, and perfect for an earlier event.
Form and Structure
subject + be + reported/believed/known/alleged + to be/to be doing/to have done
“The treatment is known to be effective.”
Nominally cautious grammar can still circulate an unsupported claim. Match linguistic distance to actual evidence and provide a traceable source for consequential assertions.
Meaning and Use
Evidential force
Known, believed, understood, reported, and alleged signal different source relations and levels of commitment.
“The device is known to fail under extreme heat.”
Aspect in the infinitive
Choose be doing for an unfolding situation and have done for an earlier completed one.
“is thought to be expanding; is thought to have expanded”
Attribution
A passive reporting frame does not identify the source; add one when verification or accountability matters.
“According to the regulator, the firm is believed to...”
Common Errors and Meaning Traps
The records are alleged to altered.
The records are alleged to have been altered.
Use a perfect passive infinitive for an alleged earlier action affecting the records.
The teams are reported to negotiate now.
The teams are reported to be negotiating now.
Use a continuous infinitive for a process in progress.
The result is known that it is reliable.
It is known that the result is reliable.
Use anticipatory it with a that-clause, or the result is known to be reliable.
Guided Practice
Use the grammar in context
“The parties are reported to be negotiating.”
“The records are alleged to have been altered.”
Rewrite three sourced claims with known, reported, and alleged, and justify each infinitive form and evidential choice.
Quick Recap
A subject passive with a reporting verb is followed by an infinitive whose aspect locates the reported situation: simple for simultaneous states, continuous for an unfolding process, and perfect for an earlier event.
Known, believed, understood, reported, and alleged signal different source relations and levels of commitment.
Nominally cautious grammar can still circulate an unsupported claim. Match linguistic distance to actual evidence and provide a traceable source for consequential assertions.
Use a perfect passive infinitive for an alleged earlier action affecting the records.
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 “The treatment is known to be effective.” and explain what it communicates in this context.
Explain why “The records are alleged to have been altered.” is the recommended revision for “The records are alleged to altered.”.
Rewrite three sourced claims with known, reported, and alleged, and justify each infinitive form and evidential choice.
Related Grammar Lessons
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 Reporting with Passives: Evidence and Time Reference?
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