Impersonal passive reporting

Use impersonal passive structures to report beliefs, claims and expectations without naming the source directly.

When do we use it?

Form it is said that and subject plus passive reporting verb plus infinitive.

Form

Use It is believed that... or subject + is believed + to-infinitive/perfect infinitive.

• It is believed that prices will rise.
• The company is said to be profitable.
• He is thought to have left.

Key contrast

At C1, grammar choices shape emphasis, stance, information flow and register as well as basic correctness.

Common mistakes

• The company is said that it is profitable. → The company is said to be profitable.
• He is thought to left. → He is thought to have left.

Remember

Use impersonal passive structures to report beliefs, claims and expectations without naming the source directly.

Quick check

• Identify the focus, stance or relationship between clauses.
• Check inversion, complementation and reference carefully.
• Prefer the option that is both grammatical and appropriate for the register.