It is said that… / He is believed to…: reporting what people think
Report opinions and claims impersonally, as news reports and formal writing do
What you'll be able to do
Understand news reports and formal writing, and report claims without saying exactly who made them: what is believed, expected or reported.
Two patterns
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| It + is said / believed / reported + that… | It is believed that the painting is worth millions. |
| Subject + is said / believed / thought + to + infinitive | The painting is believed to be worth millions. |
For something earlier than the reporting, use to have + past participle:
- The thief is thought to have escaped through a window.people think he escaped
- It is reported that ten people were injured.a news report
- The company is expected to announce job cuts.people expect this
- She is said to be the best surgeon in the country.people say this
Common verbs: say, believe, think, report, expect, know, consider, understand.
Common mistakes
He is said that he is rich.Choose one pattern: It is said that he is rich or He is said to be rich.The fire is thought to start in the kitchen.For an earlier event: is thought to have started.It is believed the painting to be valuable.→ It is believed that the painting is valuable.
Practice
- The minister _____ to resign later today.Options: is expected · expects · is expecting that
Show the answer
is expected — Subject + is expected + to-infinitive.
- It _____ that the bridge will reopen next week.Options: is reported · reports · is reported to
Show the answer
is reported — It + is reported + that-clause.
- The fire is thought _____ in the kitchen last night.Options: to have started · to start · that it started
Show the answer
to have started — An earlier event: to have + past participle.
- Which sentence is correct?Options: She is said to be an excellent teacher. · She is said that she is an excellent teacher. · It is said her to be an excellent teacher.
Show the answer
She is said to be an excellent teacher. — Subject + is said + to-infinitive.
- The suspect is believed _____ (leave) the country last week.
Show the answer
to have left — An earlier event: to have + past participle.
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, then practised with questions you answer by choosing or typing. It comes back for review on later days, until you can use it without help.
More on this topic: The passive in English · Reported speech and reporting verbs