He is thought to have left: distance and degrees of commitment
Report claims you can't vouch for with perfect infinitives, and show exactly how far you commit to them
What you'll be able to do
Report claims you can't vouch for, as journalists, lawyers and researchers do, and show exactly how far you commit to what you say.
Distance with reporting verbs
be said / thought / believed / alleged / understood / reported + an infinitive puts distance between you and the claim. The infinitive shows when the claimed fact happens.
| The claimed fact | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| at the same time | to + verb | She is said to live in Lisbon. |
| in progress | to be + -ing | He is believed to be hiding abroad. |
| earlier | to have + past participle | The painting is thought to have hung here. |
| earlier, passive | to have been + past participle | The fire is believed to have been started deliberately. |
Appear and seem take the same infinitives, and would makes them more cautious: The files would appear to have been deleted.
- The suspect is alleged to have entered the building at midnight.alleged: a legal claim, not proved
- The minister is understood to be considering her position.to be + -ing: in progress now
- The manuscript is believed to have been written in a monastery.to have been + past participle: earlier and passive
- To the best of my knowledge, no complaint was ever made.I believe this, but my knowledge may be incomplete
How far do you commit?
- reportedly, allegedly: others say so; I'm not claiming it.
- apparently: I've heard or read this. supposedly: others say so, and I doubt it.
- ostensibly: that was the stated reason, but the real one may be different.
- as far as I can tell, to the best of my knowledge: true as far as I know.
- I'd have thought…: polite surprise or disagreement: I'd have thought the answer was obvious.
Common mistakes
The fire is thought to have caused by a cable.The fire didn't cause anything: to have been caused.She is said to has left.→ She is said to have left.It is said him to be rich.→ He is said to be rich. or It is said that he is rich.Allegedly, he is alleged to…One marker of distance is enough.
Practice
- The castle is thought _____ in the twelfth century.Options: to have been built · to have built · to be building
Show the answer
to have been built — An earlier event, passive: to have been + past participle.
- The band is believed _____ a new album at the moment.Options: to be recording · to have been recorded · to record
Show the answer
to be recording — In progress now: to be + -ing.
- The thieves are thought _____ (escape) through a back window.
Show the answer
to have escaped — An earlier event: to have + past participle.
- The contract would appear _____ (be) changed after it was signed.
Show the answer
to have been — Earlier and passive: to have been + past participle.
- The company is understood _____ (look) for a buyer.
Show the answer
to be looking — In progress now: to be + -ing.