2. The passive can be used to report general feelings,
beliefs or facts in a formal way (especially in news
reports or scientific texts). We only include the
agent if necessary.
The commonly used verbs are: agree, accept,
believe, consider, decide, expect, hope, report,
say, suppose, understand, think, know, etc.
3. There are two patterns:
It is said that Ralph Lauren is the world’s richest
fashion designer.
It was reported that three prisoners escaped from the
island.
It + passive reporting verb + ‘that clause’
4. Active: Ralph Lauren is said to be the world’s richest fashion designer.
Active: Three prisoners were reported to escape from the island.
(*Main sentences are active.)
Passive: The employees are claimed to be supervised by the boss.
(It is claimed that the employees are regularly supervised by the
boss.)
(*Main sentence is passive.)
Active: Subject + passive reporting verb + to infinitive
Passive: Subject + passive reporting verb + to be V3
5. When there is a time gap between the passive reporting
verb and the clause, we use ‘perfect infinitive’.
Active: to have + V3
Passive: to have been + V3
It is believed that the Romans built the town.
Active: The Romans are believed to have built the town.
It is believed that the town was built by the Romans.
Passive: The town is believed to have been built by the
Romans.
