Business English C1 · Lesson 5A

Grammar Bank

The rules behind this lesson — form, use, model sentences and the mistakes to avoid.

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Grammar focus of this lesson

passive reporting structures

1 structure

Passive reporting structures
Reporting claims impersonally, without naming the source.
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Rules & form
- ›It + be + participle + that: It is widely believed that…
- ›Subject + be + participle + to-infinitive: He is thought to be resigning.
- ›Perfect infinitive for earlier events: is said to have doubled.
- ›Common verbs: say, believe, report, allege, expect, understand, estimate.
Examples
- “It is estimated that demand will double by 2030.”
- “The firm is understood to have approached three buyers.”
- “Talks are reported to be at an advanced stage.”
Watch out · Keep the infinitive tense right: is said to be vs is said to have been.
Your own example