Impersonal passive
The impersonal passive: is a formal way of reporting thoughts, saying, beliefs and
opinions.
The verbs that are used in impersonal passive construction.
(Think, believe, say, report, know, expect, consider, and understand)
Examples:
- People say that children are afraid of ghosts.
It is said that children are afraid of ghosts.
- People say that this orchestra is the best in the world.
This orchestra is said to be the best in the world.
- They think that he will be attending the meeting.
He is thought to be attending the meeting.
- People say that Mr. Brown owns a lot of land in the north.
Mr. Brown is said to own a lot of land in the north.
- People think that learning a new language also presents the brain with unique challenges.
It is thought that learning a new language also presents the brain with unique challenges.
The rule:
(It + passive construction + that-clause)
- E.g. The students say that the exam was easy.
It is said that the exam was easy .
(S + passive construction + to + inf.)
- E.g. The students say that the exam was easy.
The exam is said to have been easy.
The passive voice of these verbs (Think, believe, say, report, know, expect, consider, and
understand):
Present simple: Is / are +
Thought, believed, said, reported, known,
expected, considered, understood
Past simple: was / were +
Present perfect simple: have / has been
