Use the reporting passive to share what people say or believe without saying who: It is said that the castle is haunted. Or with the thing as the subject: The castle is said to be haunted. Common verbs: say, believe, think, report, expect, know, consider. It's typical of news and formal writing.
The castle is said to be haunted.
The report is about the castle; who says it doesn't matter.
| It + passive + that | It is believed that the painting is a fake. |
|---|---|
| Subject + passive + to + verb | The painting is believed to be a fake. |
| About the past | to have + participle: He is thought to have left the country. |
| Common verbs | say, believe, think, report, expect, know, consider, claim |
It is expected that prices will rise.
A general opinion, with it as an empty subject.
The company is thought to be in trouble.
The same idea, with the topic as the subject. Common in news.
The thieves are believed to have escaped through a window.
For something that happened before, use to have + past participle.
Common expressions worth learning as they are.
It _____ that the minister will resign.
From the basic form to the reporting passive.
Paste an email or an essay. Clarigram marks the mistakes you actually make, shows the rule behind each one as a picture, and builds your practice from them.
To report opinions or rumours without naming the source, and to sound objective. It's common in news and academic writing, and useful in IELTS Task 2.
In everyday emails, People say… or I've heard that… sounds more natural.