Transcript Impersonal Passive sentences

IMPERSONAL PASSIVE
SENTENCES
THAT CLAUSE
TO INFINITIVE CLAUSE
IT IS SAID THAT
 A common way of reporting what is said
by people in general or by an unspecified
group of people is to use: it + passive
verb ( be+ past participle)+ that clause:
 It is reported that the defence minister is to
resign.
 It has been acknowledged that lack of funding
is part of the problem.
 It can be seen that unemployment figures rose
sharply in November.
OTHER VERBS
Other verbs that can be used in this pattern
include:
AGREE / ALLEGE / ANNOUNCE /
ASSUME / BELIEVE/ CALCULATE /
CLAIM / CONSIDER / DECLARE /
DISCOVER/ESTIMATE / EXPECT / FEEL
/ FIND / KNOW/ MENTION / PROPOSE /
RECOMMEND / RUMOUR / SAY/ SHOW
/ SUPPOSE / THINK / UNDERSTAND
TO INFINITIVE IMPERSONAL
PASSIVES
 An alternative to it + passive verb + that clause
is to use the subject of the main sentence +
passive verb (be+past participle)+ to-infinitive.
Here are a few examples using some of the
words above:
 It is claimed that the terrorist is living abroad or
 The terrorist is claimed to be living abroad.
 It is alleged that three hundred people died in
the plane crash or
 Three hundred people are alleged to have died
in the plane crash.
MORE EXAMPLES
 It is thought that he stole over a million pounds
or
 He is thought to have stolen over a million
pounds.
 It was reported that he was killed in a fire or
 He is reported to have been killed in a fire.
 It is expected that the strike will begin tomorrow
or
 The strike is expected to begin tomorrow.
THERE + BE IN THE PASSIVE VOICE
 When a that-clause begins that + there, we
can make a passive form: there + passive verb
+ to be. Compare:
 It is thought (that) there are too many
obstacles to peace or
 There are thought to be too many obstacles to
peace.
 It was alleged (that) there had been an
explosion or
 There was alleged to have been an explosion.