Grammar
Impersonal construction
It is thought that computers rule the world
It is believed that he was a computer expert
This structure is used in English with reporting verbs to talk about what is generally thought or said. The construction is formed with a reporting verb followed by a clause.
Some of
these reporting verbs are: agree, announce, believe, claim, consider, expect,
know, report, suppose, say, think, understand. More examples:
It is said that he died of cancer
It is believed that he has fled to Mexico
It is expected that the government will remain in power
→→ They can be rephrased using the passive reporting verb + to infinitive
It is said that smoking causes cancer → Smoking is said to cause cancer
The active sentence would be: They say that smoking causes cancer
BE CAREFUL → this structure: passive reporting verb + to infinitive, may have a present infinitive, a continuous infinitive or a perfect infinitive. Have a look at the examples below:
|
Present simple or future
It is expected that the cost of living will rise this year |
Present infinitive
The cost of living is expected to rise this year |
|
Present continuous
It is believed that the terrorists are hiding in this area |
Progressive infinitive
The terrorists are believed to be hiding in this area |
|
Past simple - present perfect
It is thought that he stole $6000 |
Perfect infinitive
He is thought to have stolen $6000 |
Rewrite the sentences below using the passive with reporting verbs. Use a present, a progressive or a perfect infinitive
1. They think that Robin is living in New York
Robin is thought in New York
2. It is expected that the government will lose the next elections
The government the next elections
3. It is reported that several people were injured in the accident
Several people injured in the accident
4. People say that Paul is very rich
Paul very rich
5. It is supposed that the strike will start next Monday
The strike next Monday
6. It is believed that the robbers got in through the front window
The robbers in through the front window
7. It is thought that the Prime Minister is travelling to China
The Prime Minister to China