/Passive Voice
B2Passive Voice

Passive with Subordinate Clauses

1

What is it?

In formal English, we often use passive constructions with reporting verbs like say, believe, think, know, report, and consider. There are two main patterns: the "it" pattern (It is believed that…) and the "subject-raising" pattern (He is believed to…). Both are common in news reports, academic writing, and formal speech.

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
"It" patternIt is said that she is very talented.It is not believed that prices will fall.Is it thought that the economy will recover?
Subject-raising (present)She is said to be very talented.Prices are not believed to be falling.Is the economy thought to be recovering?
Subject-raising (past)He is known to have worked there.They are not thought to have left yet.Is she reported to have resigned?
Past passive + thatIt was reported that ten people were hurt.It was not expected that sales would drop.Was it announced that the event was cancelled?
  • • "It" pattern: It + passive verb + that + clause.
  • • Subject-raising: subject + passive verb + to + infinitive (or to have + past participle for past reference).
  • • Use "to be + -ing" for ongoing actions: "He is believed to be hiding."
  • • Use "to have + past participle" when the action happened before the main verb: "She is said to have left early."
  • • Common verbs: say, think, believe, know, report, consider, expect, claim, allege, understand.
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    Reporting facts or opinions without citing a source

    It is widely believed that exercise improves mood.

  2. 2

    News and journalism

    The suspect is reported to have fled the country.

  3. 3

    Academic and formal writing

    It is generally accepted that climate change is man-made.

  4. 4

    Referring to a past action relative to the main verb

    She is thought to have worked for the government.

  5. 5

    Describing an ongoing situation

    He is believed to be living abroad.

4

Common mistakes

It is believed that she left yesterday.

She is believed to have left yesterday. / It is believed that she left yesterday.

Both patterns are correct, but when using the subject-raising pattern for a past action, use "to have + past participle".

He is said to lived in Paris.

He is said to live in Paris. / He is said to have lived in Paris.

Use "to live" for a present situation, or "to have lived" for a past one. Never "to lived".

It is reported him to be guilty.

He is reported to be guilty. / It is reported that he is guilty.

In the "it" pattern, use "that + clause". In the raising pattern, the subject moves to the front.

5

Quick reference

  • "It" pattern: It + passive + that + clause.
  • Subject-raising: subject + passive + to + infinitive.
  • For past reference: to have + past participle.
  • For ongoing actions: to be + -ing.
  • Common in news, academic writing, and formal English.
  • Key verbs: say, think, believe, know, report, expect, consider.
6

Natural conversation example

A journalist and editor discuss a breaking news story.

L

Lena

It is reported that the CEO has resigned. Can we publish that?
M

Mark

We need more sources. He is also said to be planning a new venture.
L

Lena

It is widely believed that the board forced him out.
M

Mark

Yes, and he is thought to have disagreed with the new strategy.
L

Lena

Is it known when the official announcement will be made?
M

Mark

It is expected to be tomorrow morning.
L

Lena

Right. He is also reported to have sold his shares last week.
M

Mark

That confirms it. It is generally considered to be a sign of departure.

Practice Exercises

Complete each sentence using the correct passive construction with the verb in brackets.

  1. 1.
    It __ (believe) that the economy will improve next year.
  2. 2.
    She __ (say) to have left the company last month.
  3. 3.
    It __ (report) that dozens of people were injured.
  4. 4.
    He __ (think) to be hiding somewhere in Europe.
  5. 5.
    It __ (know) that she worked for the agency for ten years.
  6. 6.
    The building __ (consider) to be the tallest in the city.
  7. 7.
    It __ (expect) that the results will be published soon.
  8. 8.
    They __ (allege) to have stolen the documents.
Passive (overview)All TopicsPassive with Verbs Taking Two Objects

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