IMPERSONAL PASSIVE

THAT CLAUSE
TO INFINITIVE CLAUSE
When we talk about what people SAY/
THINK/ KNOW/ CONSIDER/ ASSUME /
CLAIM/ EXPECT/ DECLARE/... We have
two possible structures:

A) THAT CLAUSE

B) TO INFINITIVE CLAUSE
A) THAT CLAUSE

It+passive verb (be+ past participle)+ THAT

 It is said that Iglesias will be the new

president.
 It is claimed that the earthquake in Melilla
has damaged several buildings.
 It is rumoured that La Pantoja is getting out
of prison in some weeks.
 B) TO INFINITIVE CLAUSE

Subject+passive verb (be+ past participle)+ TO

 Iglesias is said to be the new president in the

future.
 The earthquake in Melilla is claimed to have
damaged several buildings.
 La Pantoja is rumoured to be getting out of
prison in some weeks.
 Tense changes
People know that Cristiano PRESENT SIMPLE a) It is known that Cristiano earns a lot of money.
earns a lot of money. To –inf b) Cristiano is known to earn a lot of money.
Not to -inf
They believe that Cristiano is PRESENT a) It is believed that Cristiano is having a tough time.
having a tough time. CONTINUOUS b) Cristiano is believed to be having a tough time.
To be + -ing
Everyone says that Irina PAST SIMPLE a) It is said that Irina dumped Cristiano.
dumped Cristiano. To have + P.Part b) Irina is said to have dumped Cristiano.
People think that Irina has PRESENT a) It is thought that Irina has started a new relationship.
started a new relationship. PERFECT b) Irina is thought to have started a new relationship.
To have + P.Part (not to have started…)
Everybody assumes that FUTURE SIMPLE a) It is assumed that Cristiano will find a new girl soon.
Cristiano will find a new girl To -inf b) Cristiano is assumed to find a new girl soon.
soon. (not to find a new …)

REMEMBER, negatives with NOT TO:

Cristiano is said not to have a girlfriend nowadays.
Irina is known not to be dating Cristiano any more.
 OTHER VERBS
Other verbs of SPEECH / THOUGHT that
can be used in these patterns include:

AGREE / ALLEGE / ANNOUNCE / BELIEVE

FEEL / FIND / MENTION / PROPOSE
DISCOVER / ESTIMATE / EXPECT /
RECOMMEND / RUMOUR / SHOW /
SUPPOSE / UNDERSTAND
 MORE EXAMPLES
 People think that he stole over a million pounds.
 It is thought that he stole over a million pounds.
 He is thought to have stolen over a million pounds.

 They report that he kills elephants at huntings.

 It is reported that he kills elephants at huntings.
 He is reported to kill elephants at huntings.

 People expect that the strike will begin tomorrow.

 It is expected that the strike will begin tomorrow.
 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
 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.
 People say that Loch Ness monster exists.
It is said that Loch Ness monster exists.
Loch Ness monster is said to exist
 They consider that Pujol didn’t tell the truth.
It is considered that Pujol didn’t tell the truth.
Pujol is considered not to have told the truth.
 They consider the robbery has lasted half an hour.
It is considered that the robbery has lasted half an hour.
The robbery is considered to have lasted half an hour.
 People think Byron lived on vinegar and potatoes.
It is thought that Byron lived on vinegar and potatoes.
Byron is thought to have lived on vinegar and potatoes.
 They hope that a cure for the disease is imminent.
It is hoped that a cure for the disease is imminent.
A cure for the disease is hoped to be imminent.
 They feel that Felipe VI is improving many things.
It is felt that Felipe VI is improving many things.
Felipe VI is thought to be improving many things.
Everybody assumes that the government
will raise taxes next winter.
It is assumed that the government will raise taxes
next winter.
The government is assumed to raise taxes next
winter.
Everyone knows that the hostage died
yesterday.
It is known that the hostage died yesterday.
The hostage is known to have died the day before
People think that Picasso was a great artist.
It is thought that Picasso was a great artist.
Picasso is thought to have been a great artist.
Everyone feels that P. Alborán won’t release
a new CD next month.
It is felt that P. Alborán won’t release a new CD next month.
P. Alborán is felt not to release a new CD next month.
 Everybody knows that Pope Francis is changing
many things in the Catholic Church.
It is Known that Pope Francis is changing many things in
the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis is known to be changing many things in
the Catholic Church.
People think that learning a foreign
language is a long term undertaking.
It is thought that learning a foreign language is a
long term undertaking.
Learning a foreign language is known to be a
long term undertaking.
They expect that the new party will win the
election.
It is expected that the new party will win the
election.
The new party is expected to win the election in
the future.
Everybody assume that Marisol earned a lot
of money.
It is assumed that Marisol earned a lot of money.
Marisol is assumed to have earned a lot of
money.
People know that they have planned the
rebellion carefully.
It is known that they have planned the rebellion carefully.
They are known to have planned the rebellion carefully.
People know that the Scots wear kilts.
It is known that the Scots wear kilts.
The Scots are known to wear kilts.
Experts suppose that this jewel didn’t
belong to Cleopatra.
It is supposed that this jewel didn’t belong to Cleopatra.
This jewel is supposed not to have belonged to
Cleopatra.
People believe that I am not looking for a
job.
It is believed that I am not looking for a job.
I am believed not to be looking for a job.