Sergio Ferrer Navas
English B.2.3
PASSIVE REPORTING STRUCTURES
•Definition: The expression of an idea with a structure based on a passive verb in the passive voice.
•Reporting verbs: These verbs are most frequently used in simple and perfect tenses in the present and
past. Remember that verbs like believe, hope, know, say, think, understand are not used in continuous
tenses.
•Examples:
People say that the minister is likely to resign.
He is expected to announce his resignation this week.
They expect him to announce his resignation this week.
It is expected that he announces his resignation this week.
WHAT ARE PASSIVE REPORTING STRUCTURES?
There is/are said to be…
We can use a third pattern with preparatory there and a passive reporting verb followed by a to-infinitive,
especially when saying something exists or existed.
There is understood to be a strong desire for peace talks.
There are reported to have been several explosions.
There was thought to be another entrance to the building.
There were said to have been a lot of applicants for the job.
Note the use of tenses, the agreement between the passive reporting verb and the noun phrase, and the use of
standard and perfect infinitives.
Pattern: There is/are + passive verb + to be/to have been + noun phrase
Verbs are used like this include: feel, presume, report, say, think, understand.
