Unit 86: Passive Reporting Verbs

Part 1: Rewrite the following sentences using a passive reporting verb (e.g., is said to, is believed
to, is thought to, is known to, is expected to).

1.​ People say that he is very rich.​

He
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
2.​ They believe that the new policy will benefit everyone.​
The new policy
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
3.​ It is generally known that exercise is good for health.​
Exercise
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
4.​ They expect the company to announce its new strategy soon.​
The company
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
5.​ People thought that he had left the country.​
He
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
6.​ It is said that she is the best singer of her generation.​
She
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
7.​ They claim that the new drug is effective.​
The new drug
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
 8.​ People consider him to be a genius.​
He
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
9.​ It is reported that many people were injured in the accident.​
Many people
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
10.​They suppose that the project will be completed on time.​
The project
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.

Part 2: Rewrite the following sentences, starting with 'It is...' + passive reporting verb.

11.​People say that honesty is the best policy.​

It is
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
12.​They believe that the ancient city was built by aliens.​
It is
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
13.​Experts think that the climate is changing rapidly.​
It is
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
14.​They expect that prices will rise next year.​
It is
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
15.​People know that he is a talented musician.​
It is
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
 16.​They reported that the negotiations had failed.​
It was
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
17.​People consider him to be one of the greatest artists.​
It is
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
18.​They say that the treasure is hidden somewhere in the mountains.​
It is
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
19.​They allege that he committed fraud.​
It is
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.
20.​People understand that the situation is complicated.​
It is
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________.

Part 3: Complete the sentences using a passive reporting verb and the correct form of the
infinitive (to be, to have been, to do, to have done).

21.​The suspect ______________ (think / hide) in a foreign country.

22.​The ancient ruins ______________ (believe / build) by a lost civilization.
23.​The new manager ______________ (expect / arrive) next week.
24.​The politician ______________ (say / resign) after the scandal.
25.​The missing child ______________ (report / see) near the river.
26.​The company ______________ (know / struggle) financially for months.
27.​The climate change effects ______________ (consider / irreversible) by many scientists.
28.​The film ______________ (suppose / release) last month, but it was delayed.
29.​The building ______________ (think / design) by a famous architect.
30.​The new evidence ______________ (expect / reveal) the truth.
Part 4: Error Correction. Find and correct the mistake in each sentence. (5 questions)
31.​He is believed to be very rich man.

32.​It is said that the company will to expand next year.

33.​The documents are thought have been stolen.

34.​She is known to be a good swimmer since she was a child.

35.​The problem is expected solving soon.

ANS: Unit 86: Passive Reporting Verbs
Part 1: Rewrite the following sentences using a passive reporting verb (e.g., is said to, is
believed to, is thought to, is known to, is expected to).
1.​ People say that he is very rich.​
He is said to be very rich.

2.​ They believe that the new policy will benefit everyone.​
The new policy is believed to benefit everyone.

3.​ It is generally known that exercise is good for health.​

Exercise is known to be good for health.

4.​ They expect the company to announce its new strategy soon.​
The company is expected to announce its new strategy soon.

5.​ People thought that he had left the country.​

He was thought to have left the country.

6.​ It is said that she is the best singer of her generation.​

She is said to be the best singer of her generation.

7.​ They claim that the new drug is effective.​

The new drug is claimed to be effective.

8.​ People consider him to be a genius.​

He is considered to be a genius.

9.​ It is reported that many people were injured in the accident.​

Many people are reported to have been injured in the accident.
 10.​They suppose that the project will be completed on time.​
The project is supposed to be completed on time.

Part 2: Rewrite the following sentences, starting with 'It is...' + passive reporting verb.
11.​People say that honesty is the best policy.​
It is said that honesty is the best policy.

12.​They believe that the ancient city was built by aliens.​

It is believed that the ancient city was built by aliens.

13.​Experts think that the climate is changing rapidly.​

It is thought that the climate is changing rapidly.

14.​They expect that prices will rise next year.​

It is expected that prices will rise next year.

15.​People know that he is a talented musician.​

It is known that he is a talented musician.

16.​They reported that the negotiations had failed.​

It was reported that the negotiations had failed.

17.​People consider him to be one of the greatest artists.​

It is considered that he is one of the greatest artists. (or It is considered that he was one...
depending on context)

18.​They say that the treasure is hidden somewhere in the mountains.​

It is said that the treasure is hidden somewhere in the mountains.

19.​They allege that he committed fraud.​

It is alleged that he committed fraud.
 20.​People understand that the situation is complicated.​
It is understood that the situation is complicated.

Part 3: Complete the sentences using a passive reporting verb and the correct form of the
infinitive (to be, to have been, to do, to have done).
21.​The suspect is thought to be hiding (think / hide) in a foreign country.
22.​The ancient ruins are believed to have been built (believe / build) by a lost civilization.
23.​The new manager is expected to arrive (expect / arrive) next week.
24.​The politician is said to have resigned (say / resign) after the scandal.
25.​The missing child is reported to have been seen (report / see) near the river.
26.​The company is known to have been struggling (know / struggle) financially for months.
27.​The climate change effects are considered to be irreversible (consider / irreversible) by
many scientists.
28.​The film was supposed to be released (suppose / release) last month, but it was delayed.
29.​The building is thought to have been designed (think / design) by a famous architect.
30.​The new evidence is expected to reveal (expect / reveal) the truth.

Part 4: Error Correction. Find and correct the mistake in each sentence.
31.​He is believed to be very rich man.​
Correction: He is believed to be a very rich man.

32.​It is said that the company will to expand next year.​

Correction: It is said that the company will expand next year. (No 'to' after 'will')

33.​The documents are thought have been stolen.​

Correction: The documents are thought to have been stolen.

34.​She is known to be a good swimmer since she was a child.​

Correction: She is known to be a good swimmer.
(The 'since she was a child' part is not incorrect, but the sentence structure is a bit awkward
with 'known to be'. A more natural phrasing might be: She has been known as a good
swimmer since she was a child. However, focusing on the passive reporting verb structure,
the initial part is correct.)​
 Alternative correction for clarity: She is known to have been a good swimmer since she was
a child.

35.​The problem is expected solving soon.​

Correction: The problem is expected to be solved soon.