The Logic of
Rumours
How to say "It is said..." or "He is said to be..." without naming the source. The art of Impersonal Passives.
By @NeuroEnglishMMP
The Transformation Machine
NORMAL (ACTIVE)
People say that Tom is rich.
IMPERSONAL PASSIVE (PRO)
Tom is said to be rich.
"He is rumoured to be rich"
The "It" Shield
FORMULA:
IT + PASSIVE VERB + THAT + ...
Easiest method. The second part of the sentence does not change.
(El método más fácil. La segunda parte de la frase no cambia).
ACTIVE
They believe that she is guilty.
PASSIVE (TYPE A)
It is believed that she is guilty.
ACTIVE
Journalists report that the war is over.
PASSIVE (TYPE A)
It is reported that the war is over.
ACTIVE
People say that he is a genius.
PASSIVE (TYPE A)
It is said that he is a genius.
The Teleporting Subject
We take the person we are talking about and move them to the front. The verb transforms into an Infinitive.
Same Time (Present)
Active: People say she works.
She is said to work hard.
Think -> lives
He is thought to live in London.
Know -> are
They are known to be friends.
Past Action (The Trap)
Active: They think he stole it.
He is thought to have stolen it.
Report -> started (past)
The fire is reported to have started.
Claim -> won (past)
She is claimed to have won.
Continuous (Now)
Active: Believe she is sleeping.
She is believed to be sleeping.
Think -> is hiding
The suspect is thought to be hiding.
Expect -> is recovering
The economy is expected to be recovering.
The Verb Vault
Active: Police suspect the thief escaped.
The thief is suspected to have escaped.
Active: They claim he stole the painting.
He is claimed to have stolen the painting.
Active: People say she lived in Rome.
She is said to have lived in Rome.
Active: Everyone knows she is a genius.
She is known to be a genius.
Active: People think he drives too fast.
He is thought to drive too fast.
Active: They expect she will win.
She is expected to win.
TRAINING ARENA
Time Attack Mode. Prove you can handle the logic before time runs out!
