Passive Voice: Reporting Verbs

Usually, we say "People think the movie is good." This is active voice. We know who is doing the thinking. In the passive reporting style, we change the focus. We focus on the information itself. We use verbs like say, think, believe, or report. There are two main ways to build these sentences. The first way uses the word it. The second way starts with the person or thing we are talking about. It feels like moving pieces on a chess board. You shift the subject to the back. Then you bring the news to the front. It is like a magic trick for your sentences. You are talking about general opinions, not just your own.

1. 1There are two clear recipes for this grammar point.
2. 2Pattern 1: The "It" Method
3. 3Start with the word it.
4. 4Add the verb to be (like is or was).
5. 5Add the past participle of the reporting verb (like said or thought).
6. 6Add the word that.
7. 7Finish with your main sentence.
8. 8Example: It is said that the coffee here is great.
9. 9Pattern 2: The "Subject" Method
10. 10Start with the person or thing you are talking about.
11. 11Add the verb to be (is, are, was, were).
12. 12Add the past participle of the reporting verb.
13. 13Add the word to and the base verb.
14. 14Example: The coffee is said to be great.

You should use this when the source is not important. Use it when "everyone" knows something. It is perfect for news reports about the weather. It works well for scientific facts that people believe. You can use it in a job interview. For example, It is known that this company is a leader. It makes you sound like you did your research! Use it when you want to be polite about a rumor. If you are ordering food, you might say: This dish is said to be very spicy. This tells the waiter you heard the news elsewhere. It is a very polite way to ask for details.

Do not use this for your own personal feelings. If you like apples, just say "I like apples." Saying It is thought by me that apples are good sounds very strange. It is like wearing a tuxedo to a beach party. Too formal! Avoid this when talking to your best friends about simple things. If you are giving directions, be direct. Don't say It is reported that the bank is left. Just say "The bank is on the left." Also, do not use it if you are 100% sure of the source. If your mom told you something, say "My mom said..." instead.

A very common mistake is forgetting the word to. People often say He is said be rich. This is wrong. You must say He is said to be rich. Another mistake is using the wrong verb form. Do not say It is say that... Use the third form: It is said that... Some people mix up the two patterns. They might say It is said to be that... This is a grammar traffic jam! Keep the two patterns separate in your mind. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are tired. Just take a breath and choose one pattern.

This is different from the basic passive voice. In basic passive, we say The cake was eaten. We know what happened to the cake. In reporting passive, we talk about what people *think* about the cake. The cake is said to be delicious. One is about an action. The other is about an opinion or a rumor. It is also different from using they. People often say They say it will rain. This is very informal. The passive version It is said that it will rain is the formal cousin. It is like the difference between a t-shirt and a suit. Both are fine, but they fit different places.