The document provides examples of structures using passive voice and infinitives to distance language when reporting or discussing topics. It discusses using "be said to" with the present and past simple tenses and passive voice plus infinitives with reporting verbs like "believe" and "think." Examples are given rewriting sentences beginning in specific ways to maintain the same meaning while distancing language.

1. 1. Analyse the following structures and
complete the rule:
a) Johnny Depp loves collecting Barbie dolls.
It is said that Johnny Depp loves collecting
Barbie dolls.
Johnny Depp is said to love collecting Barbie
Dolls.
a) Johnny played with Barbies and Kens when
he was a child.
It is said that Johnny played with Barbies and
Kens when he was a child.
Johnny is said to have played with Barbies
and Kens when he was a child.
- Use the subject of the active sentence +be said+
______________ when the verb is present
simple.
- Use the subject of the active sentence + be said
+______________ when the verb is past simple.
2. DISTANCING

2. DISTANCING
PASSIVE +TO INF
(reporting verbs)
Believe, expect, report, say,
think, understand
- It is expected that Angelina appears on
TV soon.
- The Dukes of Cambridge are expected to
travel to India.
- The Kardashians are expected not to
file for divorce.
- Justin Bieber is thought to have been
going out with an Instagram fan.

3. Active Passive
Simple infinitive (to) write (to) be written
Continuous infinitive (to) be writing (to) be being written
Perfect infinitive (to) have written (to) have been written
Perfect continuous
infinitive
(to) have been writing
(to) have been being
written
As the infinitive has no tense, it does not in itself indicate the time of the action that it
refers to. However, it can have aspect, which shows the temporal relationship between
the action expressed by the infinitive and the time of the preceding verb.
There are four types of infinitive, each of which has an active and passive form:

4. Rewrite the sentences beginning as shown so that the meaning is the same.
1)Everyone knows that respect is the basis for a relationship.
It is ……………………………………………………………………
Respect is …………………………………………………………
2)Everyone thought that Chris Brown had cheated on Rihanna.
It was…………………………………………………………………
Chris Brown ……………………………………………………………
3)People believe that they were having a fling despite being married.
It is …………………………………………………………………..
They are ….. ………………………………………..
4)Everyone thinks that the divorce rate was getting better due to the crisis.
It …………………………………………………………………….
The divorce rate …. ……………………………….…………………
5)There is a rumour that the Trumps are sleeping in separate rooms.
It …………………………………………………………………….
The Trumps………………………….……………

5. DISTANCING
SEEM/ APPEAR
(that/ to+inf)
• It seems that Brad will apologize for
breaking Jenny’s heart.
• Angelina Jollie seems to fight for
custody.
• There appears to be a heated debate
about their divorce.

6. DISTANCING
OTHERS - Apparently, she had a breakdown. I
think she can’t cope with the tabloids.
(Inf)
- According to some studies, midlife crises
lie behind the high divorce rate.
- After experiencing a toxic relationship,
you may/might feel emotionless.

7. RUMOURS
Student A
• A British singer.
• A divorce.
• A political scandal.
• The negative side of
a new trend.
• The side effects of a
drug.
• A recent pregnancy.
• A royal scandal.
• Others.
Student B
• An American actor.
• A wedding.
• A drug scandal.
• The positive effects
of certain food.
• A recent film.
• A new couple.
• A TV celebrity
scandal.
• Others.