It Is Said That / He Is Thought To…
I can report a claim at a distance while preserving its time relationship and uncertainty.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Start with the contrast
People say that a lost sketch belongs to a local collection. A report says that it was sold several years ago. We can write “The sketch is said to belong to a local collection” or “The sketch is reported to have been sold years ago.” The reporting frame does not establish that either claim is true.
Read the situation transcript
People say that a lost sketch belongs to a local collection. A report says that it was sold several years ago. We can write “The sketch is said to belong to a local collection” or “The sketch is reported to have been sold years ago.” The reporting frame does not establish that either claim is true.
Why does the second version use to have been sold rather than simply to be sold?
Compare your idea
The reported sale is earlier than the present reporting viewpoint; the perfect infinitive preserves that earlier relationship.
How it works
An impersonal reporting passive can begin with it: It is said that… A subject-focused version can begin with the reported person or thing: The sketch is said to belong…
Use a perfect infinitive for an earlier event: is reported to have been sold. Use a passive infinitive when the subject receives the action. Keep the source and degree of certainty visible where they matter; passive reporting is not verification.
It + passive reporting verb + that-clause. Subject + passive reporting verb + to / to have + appropriate verb form.
Original relationship
It is said that the sketch belongs to a local collection.
The claim is attributed rather than directly verified.
Alternative construction
The sketch is said to belong to a local collection.
The sketch becomes the subject.
Hear the examples
It is said that the sketch belongs to a local collection.
The claim is attributed rather than directly verified.
The sketch is said to belong to a local collection.
The sketch becomes the subject.
The sketch is reported to have been sold years ago.
The earlier reported sale is passive.
The artist is believed to be working abroad.
The reported activity is in progress around the reporting viewpoint.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: The sketch is reported to sold years ago.
Say: The sketch is reported to have been sold years ago.
The earlier passive event needs the perfect passive infinitive.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
Report an unverified present-state claim at a distance.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
The sketch is said to belong to a private collection.
Check yourself: Do not present said as proof.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Report an earlier event with the thing as subject.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
The sketch is reported to have been sold years ago.
Check yourself: Preserve both earlier time and passive meaning.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Add a source limitation to a reported claim.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
The sketch is believed to be valuable, but the report gives no independent assessment.
Check yourself: Keep grammatical distancing separate from factual checking.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Transform: People believe that the artist is working abroad.
Compare a model and explanation
The artist is believed to be working abroad.
The continuous infinitive preserves the ongoing activity.
Self-check 2
Transform: A report says the sketch was sold years ago.
Compare a model and explanation
The sketch is reported to have been sold years ago.
The perfect passive preserves the earlier sale.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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The sketch is said ___ to a local collection.
to belong: The subject-focused reporting construction uses an infinitive.
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For an earlier passive sale: It is reported ___ years ago.
to have been sold: To have been sold preserves earlier time and passive voice.
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Does “is believed to” establish that the claim is true?
No: It attributes a belief; it does not verify it.
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Which form preserves an activity in progress?
The artist is believed to be working abroad.: To be working is the continuous infinitive.
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Which version uses an impersonal it frame?
It is said that the sketch is valuable.: It plus passive reporting verb introduces the that-clause.
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Correct “The painting is thought to have sell last year.”
The painting is thought to have been sold last year.: The painting receives the earlier action, so use the perfect passive infinitive.
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What does the perfect infinitive contribute here?
An event earlier than the reporting viewpoint: The perfect marks relative time, not reliability.
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When did the reported sale occur relative to the present report?
Earlier: To have been sold places the sale earlier.
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Which report handles evidence responsibly?
The sketch is said to be valuable, but we have not verified the claim.: The correct answer preserves the distinction between attribution and confirmation.
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What must a faithful transformation preserve?
Time, voice and the status of the claim: Changing the grammatical subject must not alter the underlying relationship or evidence strength.
Take it with you
I can report a claim at a distance while preserving its time relationship and uncertainty.