Impersonal Reporting Structures

It + passive form of reporting verb + that It is often claimed that stress is a fact of life. It is often claimed that stress is a fact of life. It has been estimated that 85 percent of all illness and disease is caused by stress. It has been estimated that 85 percent of all illness and disease is caused by stress. It has been demonstrated that music which is slower than 72 beats per minute can help us unwind. It has been demonstrated that music which is slower than 72 beats per minute can help us unwind. It was declared that the disease had spread. It was declared that the disease had spread. It is thought that endorphins are released during exercise. It is thought that endorphins are released during exercise.

This position is believed to be effective in stimulating the brain. Repetitive rhythms are also supposed to calm the nerves. Listening to music that has 60 beats per minute has been shown to increase alpha waves. In ancient Greece saffron was believed to be an effective remedy for anxiety. Endorphins are thought to be released during exercise. (passive) subject + passive form of reporting verb + to infinitive

To emphasise that a situation/fact happened before the time it was reported we use a perfect infinitive (to have + Past Participle). The Chinese are thought to have known about the properties of tea as long ago as 2000BC. Infectious diseases were once thought to have been a punishment for people's sins.

To emphasise that a situation/trend is/was continuing at the time it was reported we can use the continuous form of the infinitive (to be+ -ing). More and more young people are thought to be skipping breakfast. (an ongoing trend) More and more young people are thought to be skipping breakfast. (an ongoing trend) He was rumoured to be living in London. (a continuing situation at that time in the past) He was rumoured to be living in London. (a continuing situation at that time in the past)

Rewrite the sentences in two different ways, replacing the underlined phrases with an impersonal reporting form and the correct form of the verbs in brackets. 1 Apparently the Amy Winehouse concert has been cancelled! (rumour) The Amy Winehouse concert is rumoured to have been cancelled. It is rumoured that the Amy Winehouse concert has been cancelled.

2 The government is likely to lose the next election. (expect) The government is expected to lose the next election. is expected to lose the next election. It is likely that the government will lose the next election. that the government will lose the next election. 3 Supposedly they’re getting married. (think) They are thought to be getting married. are thought to be getting married. It is thought that they are getting married. that they are getting married. 4 It appears that he's resigned. (say) He ’s said to have resigned. ’s said to have resigned. It is said that he has resigned. that he has resigned.

5 They're probably living in London now. (rumour) They are roumored to be living in London. are roumored to be living in London. It is roumored that they are living in London. roumored that they are living in London. 6 They say that chamomile tea helps you get to sleep. (claim) Chamomile tea is clamed to help you get to sleep. is clamed to help you get to sleep. It is claimed that chamomile tea helps you (to) get to sleep. that chamomile tea helps you (to) get to sleep.

7 They once thought that a stressful classroom atmosphere was conducive to learning. (believe) A stressful classroom atmosphere was believed to have been conductive to learning. was believed to have been conductive to learning. It was believed that a stressful classroom atmosphere was conductive to learning. that a stressful classroom atmosphere was conductive to learning. 8 It seems that they survived the accident. (report) They are reported to have survived the accident. are reported to have survived the accident. It is reported that they (have) survived the accident. that they (have) survived the accident.

From McKinlay, Stuart & Hastings, Bob. SUCCESS ADVANCED