Advanced passive structures are used in formal English, especially in academic writing, journalism, and official reports. They allow us to report what people think, say, or believe without specifying who the source is. There are two main types: impersonal passive and personal passive.
💡 Active: People say that he is rich.
🎯 Impersonal passive: It is said that he is rich.
🎯 Personal passive: He is said to be rich.
💡 These structures are common in news reports, academic papers, and formal writing.
📘 2. Impersonal Passive: It is said that...
Structure: It + passive reporting verb + that + clause
It is believed that the company will merge.
It is reported that the president has resigned.
It is thought that the painting is a forgery.
It was announced that the festival is cancelled.
It has been suggested that we change the schedule.
He is said to be very wealthy.
The suspect is believed to have left the country.
The company is expected to announce profits tomorrow.
She is thought to be the best candidate.
The missing hikers are presumed to have died.
💡 Use the perfect infinitive (to have + past participle) when the action happened before the reporting.
📝 4. Common Reporting Verbs (believe, think, know, report)
Believe: It is believed that... / He is believed to... Think: It is thought that... / She is thought to... Know: It is known that... / They are known to... Report: It is reported that... / The event is reported to... Say: It is said that... / He is said to... Consider: It is considered that... / She is considered to... Expect: It is expected that... / The meeting is expected to... Understand: It is understood that... / He is understood to...
⏰ 5. Tense Forms in Advanced Passive
Present reference: "He is said to be ill." (present infinitive) Past reference: "He is said to have been ill." (perfect infinitive) Future reference: "He is expected to arrive tomorrow." (present infinitive with future meaning) Past reporting verb: "It was believed that he was honest." / "He was believed to be honest." Present perfect passive: "It has been reported that..."
🔍 6. Other Verbs (allege, claim, estimate, understand)
Allege (formal, often unproven): The defendant is alleged to have committed fraud. Claim: It is claimed that the product works instantly. Estimate: The damage is estimated to be over $1 million. Understand: It is understood that a deal has been reached. Assume / Presume: He is presumed dead after the accident. Acknowledge: It is acknowledged that more research is needed. Recommend: It is recommended that you arrive early.
⚠️ 7. Common Mistakes
❌ It is said that he is being rich.
✅ He is said to be rich.
❌ He is believed that he has left.
✅ It is believed that he has left. / He is believed to have left.
❌ They are said to have been left the country.
✅ They are said to have left the country.
❌ It is thought to be that she is honest.
✅ It is thought that she is honest. / She is thought to be honest.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.What is the difference between impersonal and personal passive?▼
Impersonal passive uses 'It + passive verb + that clause' (e.g., 'It is said that he is rich'). Personal passive moves the subject of the that-clause to the beginning: 'He is said to be rich.' Both are used in formal English.
Q2.Which reporting verbs can be used in advanced passive structures?▼
Q3.How do I change the infinitive form for different tenses?▼
Present infinitive: 'to be' (He is believed to be honest). Perfect infinitive: 'to have + past participle' for past actions (He is believed to have left).