REPORTING WITH PASSIVE VERBS

 We use the passive voice to report what people think, say, etc…, particularly if we want to avoid mentioning who said or thought what we are reporting:  People in the area have been told to stay indoors.  Everyone was asked to bring some food to the party.

 A common way of reporting what other people say or think is to use: IT + PASSIVE VERB + THAT CLAUSE  It is reported that the finance minister is to resign.  It can be seen that prices rose sharply in September.

 Other verbs that can be used in this pattern are: agree, allege, announce, assume, calculate, claim, consider, decide, declare, discover, estimate, expect, feel, find, know, mention, propose, recommend, say, show, suggest, suppose, think, understand.  many other verbs are not used in this pattern, including inform, persuade, reassure, remind, tell, warn

 With the verbs agree, decide, forbid, hope, plan, and propose, we can use it + passive verb + to- infinitive  It was agreed to postpone the meeting.  It has been decided to build a road around the village.

 You can use He, The man, etc. (i.e. the subject of the clause) + is said, believed, etc. + to+ infinitive (e.g. to be) or perfect infinitive (e.g. to have been).  People say the man is in his 40s.  The man is said to be in his 40s.  The police believe he has left the country.  He is believed to have left the country.