PRONUNCIATION
GRAMMAR
To express a rumour, a report or a public opinion,
three ways can be used:
1. People say / believe / think / know / report / suppose that
+ subject + verb…
e.g. People believe that we can live on Mars some day.
3. Subject + be said / believed / thought / known / reported / supposed + to-infinitive / to have + past participle …
e.g. He is known to have married three times.
2. It + be said / believed / thought / known / reported / supposed
+ that + subject + verb …
e.g. It is said that he has got married three times.
Notes: Pattern 2 & 3 are also called “Passive Reporting”.
PRACTICE
to have been built over a 20-year period.
to be homeless after the floods.
is thought to have escaped by climbing over the wall.
is believed to have driven through the town at 90 km an hour.
are reported to have been seriously injured in the accident.
are said to have been arrested after the explosion.
is expected to begin tomorrow.
is said to speak English very well.
to be very clever.
is believed to be living in New York.
is known to be very rich.
Is supposed to be very good.
are thought to have been killed in the accident.
are thought to be born each year.
are said to be much worse.
are said to be dangerous.
homework