Impersonal Passive helps you communicate about formal reporting without naming a source. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can report beliefs and claims impersonally in formal English.
- Recognise and build the form: It is said that...; subject + is said to...; perfect infinitive for earlier events.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Impersonal Passive for formal reporting without naming a source. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
It is believed that the company will expand.
Use 'It is believed that...' for an impersonal formal report.
The actor is said to live in Spain.
The personal passive pattern is 'subject + is said + to-infinitive'.
The missing painting is thought to have been sold abroad.
Use a perfect infinitive when the reported event happened earlier.
It is said that...; subject + is said to...; perfect infinitive for earlier eventsKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use 'It is believed that...' for an impersonal formal report.
- The personal passive pattern is 'subject + is said + to-infinitive'.
- Use a perfect infinitive when the reported event happened earlier.
- 'It is expected that...' reports a general expectation impersonally.
- Use 'is known to be' to present established information formally.
Common mistakes
Not:It believes that the company will expand.
Use:It is believed that the company will expand.
Use 'It is believed that...' for an impersonal formal report.
Not:The actor says to live in Spain.
Use:The actor is said to live in Spain.
The personal passive pattern is 'subject + is said + to-infinitive'.
Not:The missing painting is thought to be sold abroad.
Use:The missing painting is thought to have been sold abroad.
Use a perfect infinitive when the reported event happened earlier.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
It ____ that taxes will rise next year.
is expected
'It is expected that...' reports a general expectation impersonally.
The treatment ____ to be effective.
is known
Use 'is known to be' to present established information formally.
Several people are reported ____ the accident.
to have witnessed
The witnessing occurred before the report, so use a perfect infinitive.