B2 Upper-intermediate Passive and causative
Passive with reporting verbs
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can write both It is said that… and He is said to…, the patterns of news and formal writing.
When to use it
- Reporting without naming the source: It is said that the factory will close.
- Keeping an objective tone in academic writing and news.
- Transformation tasks often ask you to switch between the two patterns.
Form
| Pattern | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern 1 | It is + V3 + that + clause | It is said that he is rich. |
| Pattern 2 | S + be + V3 + to + verb | He is said to be rich. |
| An earlier action | S + be + V3 + to have + V3 | He is said to have left. |
| Past tense | It was + V3 + that… | It was reported that… |
Step by step
- Take the reporting verb (say, believe, think, report, know) and put it in the passive.
- Pattern 1: start with It and keep the clause after that.
- Pattern 2: move the clause subject to the front, then to + verb.
- If the reported event happened earlier, use to have + V3.
to be or to have been
| Original clause | Pattern 2 | Why |
|---|---|---|
| he is rich | he is said to be rich | at the same time |
| he lives abroad | he is said to live abroad | at the same time |
| he left the country | he is said to have left | happened earlier |
| he has left | he is said to have left | happened earlier |
Examples
It is said that he is very rich.
He is said to be very rich.
It is believed that the factory will close.
She is believed to have left the country.
It is reported that the bridge is unsafe.
The building is said to be over 200 years old.
Common mistakes
He is said is very rich. → He is said to be very rich.
Pattern 2 uses to be, not a finite verb. Learners often blend the two patterns.
He is said that he is rich. → It is said that he is rich.
With that the opening subject must be It.
It is thought that he to live abroad. → It is thought that he lives abroad.
After that comes a full clause with a finite verb.
Memory tip
Two patterns, two openings: It goes with that; a person or thing goes with to. Never mix them.
Summary
- It is said / believed / reported that + clause.
- S + is said to + base verb.
- For an earlier event use to have + V3.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.