It discusses passive reporting verbs that are commonly used to report feelings, beliefs, or facts in a formal way like news or scientific texts. There are two patterns for passive reporting constructions: using "it + passive verb + that clause" or "subject + passive verb + to be/have been + past participle." Examples are given like "It was reported that three prisoners escaped" or "The town is believed to have been built by the Romans." The active forms are also shown for comparison.

1. PASSIVE REPORTING VERBS
Prepared by Ebru KIRIKOĞLU

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.