Passive reporting
It is said that…, He is thought to have left…, There are believed to be…
News reports love this structure: 'The actor is said to be ill.' It lets you report what people say or believe without saying who said it.
Two ways to report
Choose the right infinitive
Compare the time of the reporting verb and the time of the action.
Useful verbs and extras
say, think, believe, know, report, expect, consider, understand, allege, rumour (almost always passive!).
How it comes up in Part 4
In Part 4 you complete the second sentence with the key word, so that it means the same as the first one (3–6 words).
BELIEVED
The painting is believed to have been stolen in 1990.
Believe now, stolen before, and passive: is believed to have been + past participle.
KNOWN
She is known to be an excellent cook.
Same time: is known + to be.
RUMOURED
The couple are rumoured to be getting divorced.
Happening now: are rumoured + to be + -ing.
Common mistakes
- ✗ He is said that he is rich.✓ It is said that he is rich. / He is said to be rich.Don't mix the two structures.
- ✗ The castle is said to be built in 1200.✓ The castle is said to have been built in 1200.A past action needs to have + past participle.
- ✗ People rumour that he is leaving.✓ It is rumoured that he is leaving.'Rumour' is used in the passive.
Compare the times: if the reporting is now (people say) but the action was in the past (he left), you need 'to have + past participle'. This structure is long – perfect for a six-word answer!
Quick check
Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use the key word and write 3–6 words.
🇪🇸 Guía en español: Conectores en inglés para el B2 y el C1: lista con ejemplos →