IMPERSONAL PASSIVE: IT IS SAID... /THEY ARE SAID...

Sometimes we do not know who did an action or it is not relevant. Then, the subject can be "PEOPLE" or "THEY" with an active verb:

a) People say that these actors are handsome. 

b) They say that these actors are handsome.

We can also use two types of impersonal passive: 

a) It is said that they are handsome. 
b) They are said to be handsome. 

Pay attention to this examples in the past: 

They knew she had an idea.

It was known that she had an idea.

She was known to have had an idea. (to + have V3)

If the predicate of the passive sentence is a verb transitive like believe, think, find, say, report, consider, understand, acknowledge, expect, tell, know then you can change the active sentence into passive.  These are formal structures. They are often used in news reports and on TV.

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME GOOD EXAMPLES.

EXERCISES

Rephrase the sentences to make them more formal. Look at the example above.

1) People think that the new prime minister is a good speaker.

It is .

 The new prime minister .

2) They report that the suspended gunman is in custody.

The suspended .

  It is .

3) People don't expect that the new party will win the election.

It isn't .

The new .

4) The police say that the principal is at large.

It is .

The principal .

5) The detective knows that the robber has left the city.

It is .

The robber .

6) People believe that giving encouragement is important at work, too.

It is .

Giving encouragement .

7) They told us that Charles drank too much at the party.

It was .

Charles .

– Rephrase the sentences to make them more formal.

1) People know that drug addiction is dangerous.

It is .

2) They believe that the lunch will be delicious.

The lunch is .

3) They think that the children are at school.

The children .

4) People said that the robbery lasted half an hour.

It is .

5) People acknowledge that he is talented.

He is .

6) The newspapers reported that he won the jackpot.

He was .

7) They think that your tea is too sweet.

It is .

8) Everybody says the old bridge will collapse.

The old .

– Rewrite the sentences. Look at the examples.

1) It is said that the thief stole several wallets.

The thief is said to have stolen several wallets.

2) People think that the pigeons carry a lot of diseases.

It is thought that the pigeons carry a lot of diseases.

3) Sarah is known to be the prettiest girl in the class.

It is .

4) It was understood that he got divorced.

He was .

5) Amy Winehouse was reported to have died.

It was .

6) It is acknowledged that she is a talented painter.

She is .

7) The Sun was believed to move round the Earth.

It was .

8) It is said that the pilot was drunken.

The pilot .

9) This kind of material is found to be poisonous.

It is .

10)The witness was thought to have injured.

It was .

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=6854
Created by Susan V. Toth (Zsuzsapszi)