Reporting with passive verbs

Reporting with passive verbs - when the writer wants to put distance between himself/herself and the facts.

Active:

They say (or People say) that he is very talented.  

Passive:

 1. It + passive verb + that clause

 It is said that he is very talented.

  With verbs: agree, believe, estimate, suppose, claim, think, calculate…

It + passive verb + infinitive

It is hoped to find a solution.

With verbs: agree, hope, decide, plan…

  

2. Subject + passive verb + to infinitive

He is said to be very talented. – present infinitive

Active: They say she is living in Malibu.

Passive: She is said to be living in Malibu.

– present Continuous infinitive

Active: They say she has married her third husband.

Passive: She is said to have married her third husband. 

- perfect infinitive

Active: They say she has been working on a new book.

Passive: She is said to have been working on an new book.

– perfect continuous infinitive.

Active: They say the book is based on her experience.

Passive: The book is said to be based on her experience. 

– present passive infinitive

Active: They say she has been given an advance.

Passive: She is said to have been given an advance. 

- perfect passive infinitive.

The infinitive construction in the passive depends on

whether or not the verb in the noun clause refers to the

same time as the verb in the main clause. If the time is

the same use the present infinitive. If the verb in the noun

clause refers to a time before the verb in the main clause,

use the perfect infinitive. 

Seem and appear

¢We use them when we are not categorical if something is

true.

They can be used in two patterns:

1. It + seem/appear + that clause

It seems that she is happy.

2. Subject + seem/appear + infinitive.

She seems to be happy.