Impersonal Passive: It Is Said That

What is the impersonal passive?

The impersonal passive is a way to report what people in general say, think or believe, without saying who they are. It uses a reporting verb (a verb like say, think, believe, report) in the passive. It is common in news, reports and academic writing, because it sounds neutral and shows that the information is not your own claim.

It is said that the old hotel is haunted.

The old hotel is said to be haunted.

Both sentences mean "People say that the old hotel is haunted." There are two patterns: one with It ... that and one with subject + to-infinitive.

How to form the impersonal passive

Pattern 1: It + passive reporting verb + that-clause

The that-clause can use any tense: "It is thought that the fire started in the kitchen."

Pattern 2: Subject + passive reporting verb + to-infinitive

Here the subject of the that-clause becomes the subject of the whole sentence.

How to choose the right infinitive

The infinitive shows when the action happens compared with the time of saying or thinking.

From Pattern 1 to Pattern 2

When to use the impersonal passive

1. In the news

Journalists use it to report information without naming the source, or when the facts are not yet confirmed.

• It is reported that the CEO will resign next month.
• Three people are believed to have been injured in the crash.
• The suspect is thought to be in his thirties.

2. In academic and formal writing

It sounds objective and careful. It also helps you avoid saying "I think" in an essay. See Hedging Language for more ways to sound careful.

• It is generally accepted that regular exercise improves sleep.
• It has been argued that remote work increases productivity.
• Climate change is known to affect crop yields.

3. For rumours and general beliefs

• It is rumoured that the company is moving to Toronto.
• The lake is said to be the coldest in the province.
• Black cats are thought to bring bad luck in some cultures.

4. In the past

Put the reporting verb in the past to talk about what people believed at that time.

• It was thought that the illness was caused by bad air.
• The ship was thought to have sunk near the coast.
• She was believed to be living abroad.
• It was expected that the work would finish by May.

5. With there: There is said to be...

When the that-clause starts with there is / there are, use there + be + past participle + to be.

• There is said to be a problem with the new software.
• There are thought to be about 200 people inside the building.
• There were believed to be no survivors.
• There is reported to have been an accident on the highway.

Which verbs can you use?

• Correct: It is hoped that the road will reopen soon.
• Wrong: The road is hoped to reopen soon.
• Correct: It was decided that we would meet weekly.
• Wrong: We were decided to meet weekly.

With consider, "to be" is often left out: "She is considered (to be) one of the best surgeons in the country."

Say and rumour are special: Pattern 2 works only in the passive. You cannot say People say him to be rich in the active.

Impersonal passive vs active forms

The active form is normal in conversation. The impersonal forms are more formal and more typical of writing and the news.

Common mistakes

1. Mixing the two patterns

   • Wrong: He is said that he is rich.
   • Correct: It is said that he is rich. / He is said to be rich.
   • Use either It ... that or subject + to-infinitive, not both.

2. Wrong infinitive for a past action

   • Wrong: The thief is believed to escape last night.
   • Correct: The thief is believed to have escaped last night.
   • For an earlier action, use to have + past participle.

3. Using a past form after to

   • Wrong: She is said to had left. / She is said to left.
   • Correct: She is said to have left.
   • After to, the verb is always in the base form (have, be, leave).

4. Using Pattern 2 with suggest, hope or agree

   • Wrong: The meeting is suggested to move online.
   • Correct: It has been suggested that the meeting (should) move online.
   • These verbs only work with It ... that.

5. Wrong form with there

   • Wrong: There is said to have a problem.
   • Correct: There is said to be a problem.
   • After there + reporting verb, use to be.

6. Forgetting be in the passive

   • Wrong: It said that the store will close. (in the meaning "people say")
   • Correct: It is said that the store will close.
   • "It said" means a text or sign said it. For the impersonal passive, use is + past participle.

Quick reference

Common questions

What is the difference between 'It is said that' and 'He is said to'?

They mean the same thing. "It is said that he is rich" puts the focus on the report. "He is said to be rich" starts with the person, so it is often shorter and smoother.

Is 'It is said that' too formal for emails?

It is fine in formal emails and reports. In a friendly email or in conversation, "People say..." or "Apparently, ..." usually sounds more natural.

Can I use 'It is said that' in IELTS or CELPIP writing?

Yes, it is a useful formal structure, especially "It is often argued that..." or "It is widely believed that...". Use it when you mean that many people hold this view, not for your own opinion.

Practise next

• Passive Voice — the basic be + past participle forms
• Hedging Language — more ways to sound careful and objective
• Reported Speech — reporting what one person said
• B1 Passive Voice Quiz — check your basic passive forms first