Impersonal Passive
Used in news and academic writing when we don't know (or don't want to say) WHO said it.
"It is..." Structure 🗣️
Rule: Use It + passive reporting verb + that clause.
"Subject + To..." ➡️
Rule: Use Subject + passive reporting verb + to-infinitive for present or future facts.
"Subject + To have..." 🕰️
Rule: Use Subject + passive reporting verb + to have + V3 when reporting something that happened in the PAST.
Reporting Verbs 📋
You cannot use just any verb. We only use verbs related to thinking, saying, or reporting.
• Believe (is believed to)
• Report (is reported to)
• Consider (is considered to)
• Expect (is expected to)
• Know (is known to) (និយាយ, ជឿ, រាយការណ៍, ចាត់ទុក, រំពឹង, ដឹង)
Trap 1: Mixing up "That" and "To"
If it starts with IT, use THAT.
He is said that he is rich. ❌
He is said to be rich. ✅
It is said that he is rich. ✅
Trap 2: Forgetting the Past (To have)
He is reported to leave yesterday. ❌
He is reported to have left yesterday. ✅
Quick Check ⚡
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Recent Questions
Good question, Kosal! "People say" is fine for everyday chatting. However, in C1 Mastery writing (like journalism, essays, or business reports), "It is said" makes you sound much more objective, professional, and detached. It is the standard style for formal English! 📰
How do I know when to use "to have + V3" instead of just "to + V1"?
You use the Perfect Infinitive ("to have + V3") when the action happened in the PAST, before the reporting time. If the rumor is happening now about something that happened yesterday, use "to have". Example: "He is believed (now) to have left (yesterday)." ⏳
Can I use ANY verb with this structure? Like "It is eaten that..."?
Haha, no! ❌ We ONLY use "Reporting Verbs" or "Thinking Verbs" for this. The most common ones are: say, think, believe, consider, report, claim, and expect. You can't use action verbs like eat, jump, or run. 🧠🗣️
Why do we use "It is said that..." instead of just saying "People say that..."? It seems harder!