Grammar: ⚙️ Verbs in Depth: Mastery (C1) - Lesson 1: Advanced Passive Structures (Impersonal passive: It is said that...)

Grammar: Advanced Passive Voice

C1 Lesson 1: The Impersonal Passive

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use the two main forms of the impersonal passive ('It is said that...' and 'She is said to...') to report information in a formal, objective tone.

Why It Matters: Simple vs. Formal Tone

The Impersonal Passive is used to report general opinions, beliefs, and thoughts without stating exactly who holds them. This creates a more formal and objective tone, essential for academic and professional writing.

Simple / Informal

People say that the old temple is haunted.

Formal / Academic

It is said that the old temple is haunted.

The Grammar Rules 📖

Structure 1: "It is said that..."

This structure introduces a general belief. The word 'It' acts as an impersonal subject. It is common with verbs like: believe, say, think, report, know, expect, understand.

Formula: It + passive reporting verb + that + clause

Example: It is expected that the economy will grow this year.

Structure 2: "Subject + is said to..."

This is a more sophisticated way to express the same idea. We move the subject of the belief to the front of the sentence. The verb that follows changes to an infinitive.

Use a simple infinitive (to be/to do) if the belief is about the present:

→ "It is believed that he is very wealthy."
→ "He is believed to be very wealthy."

Use a perfect infinitive (to have been/to have done) if the belief is about the past:

→ "It is reported that the company lost millions last year."
→ "The company is reported to have lost millions last year."

💡 Pro Tip: Why use the Impersonal Passive?

This structure makes your writing sound more authoritative and credible. Instead of writing "I think...", using "It is believed that..." presents the information as a widely accepted fact. It's also a way to hedge, allowing you to report a claim without personally guaranteeing its truth.

Practice Your Grammar 🎯

Exercise 1: Sentence Transformation

Rewrite the sentences using the impersonal passive structure indicated.

1. Simple: People believe he is the best chef in Battambang.
   Rewrite with "It is...": It is believed that he is the best chef in Battambang.
2. Sentence: It is said that the old house is empty.
   Rewrite with "The old house...": The old house is said to be empty.
3. Sentence: It is thought that the ancient kings built this road.
   Rewrite with "The ancient kings...": The ancient kings are thought to have built this road.

Your Grammar Mission ⭐

Writing Task: Make it Formal

Rewrite these simple statements into more formal, objective sentences using an impersonal passive structure.

1. Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. (Use "It is known that...")
   → Answer: It is known that exercise is good for your health.
2. People say that the temple was built 500 years ago. (Use "The temple is said...")
   → Answer: The temple is said to have been built 500 years ago.

Key Vocabulary

• Impersonal Passive (Noun) | កម្មវាចកអរូបិយ
  A passive structure used to report general thoughts or beliefs without stating who holds them.
• Objective (Adjective) | អព្យាក្រឹត
  Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; based on facts.
• Authoritative (Adjective) | ដែលមានអំណាច
  Able to be trusted as being accurate or true; reliable.
• To Hedge (Verb) | និយាយបែបប្រយ័ត្ន
  To use cautious language to avoid making a direct or absolute statement.