When we talk about what other people

say, believe, etc. we can use two possible

passive structures:

ACTIVE: People say that he is the new dean.

It + passive + that-clause (Subj. + verb)

It is said that he is the new dean.
Subject + passive + to infinitive
He is said to be the new dean.
We often use these passive forms in a
formal style and with verbs of perception
such as:
 say, believe, consider, understand, expect,
agree, think, claim, know, suppose …
When the belief, etc. refers to a past
action and we start the sentence with a
subject, we use the “perfect infinitive” (to
have + past participle)
ACTIVE: The fire started late last night.
 It is believed that the fire started late
last night.
but
 The fire is believed to have started late
last night.
ACTIVE: He was planning an escape.
 It was believed that he was planning an
escape.
but
 He was believed to have been planning
an escape.
Some auxiliary verbs are not used or
replaced by equivalent verbs.
ACTIVE: He will fail the test.
 He is expected to fail the test.
Rewrite the sentences in the passive voice as started. Match
the sentences with the pictures.
1) People believe he may be fired.
It _________________________________________________
He _________________________________________________
2) Someone said he was in love with his secretary.
It _________________________________________________
He _________________________________________________
3) Some people expect that robots will take people’s jobs.
It _________________________________________________
Robots _____________________________________________
4) We know that Michael has been unemployed for quite some
time.
It _________________________________________________
Michael ___________________________________________
5) I believe Bob spent all his money on gambling the other night.
It _________________________________________________
Bob ________________________________________________
6) Many people claim machines do all the heavy work for us.
It _________________________________________________
Machines ___________________________________________
7) We think that computers are changing the way we work.
It _________________________________________________
Computers ___________________________________________
8) Journalists reported that four people had been injured in the
factory.
It _________________________________________________
Four people _________________________________________
9) I believe that he did five hours’ overtime this week.
He _________________________________________________
10) People think Linda is working part-time in a hotel now.
Linda________________________________________________
_

ACTIVE: He can sleep on a bed of nails.

 He is said to be able to sleep on a bed of
nails.
 When we talk about what other people
say, believe, etc. we can use two possible
passive structures:

ACTIVE: People say that he is the new dean.

It + passive + that-clause (Subj. + verb)

It is said that he is the new dean.
Subject + passive + to infinitive
He is said to be the new dean.
We often use these passive forms in a
formal style and with verbs of perception
such as:
 say, believe, consider, understand, expect,
agree, think, claim, know, suppose …
When the belief, etc. refers to a past
action and we start the sentence with a
subject, we use the “perfect infinitive” (to
have + past participle)
ACTIVE: The fire started late last night.
 It is believed that the fire started late
last night.
but
 The fire is believed to have started late
last night.
ACTIVE: He was planning an escape.
 It was believed that he was planning an
escape.
but
 He was believed to have been planning
an escape.
Some auxiliary verbs are not used or
replaced by equivalent verbs.
ACTIVE: He will fail the test.
 He is expected to fail the test.
Rewrite the sentences in the passive voice as started. Match
the sentences with the pictures.
1) People believe he may be fired.
It _________________________________________________
He _________________________________________________
2) Someone said he was in love with his secretary.
It _________________________________________________
He _________________________________________________
3) Some people expect that robots will take people’s jobs.
It _________________________________________________
Robots _____________________________________________
4) We know that Michael has been unemployed for quite some
time.
It _________________________________________________
Michael ___________________________________________
5) I believe Bob spent all his money on gambling the other night.
It _________________________________________________
Bob ________________________________________________
6) Many people claim machines do all the heavy work for us.
It _________________________________________________
Machines ___________________________________________
7) We think that computers are changing the way we work.
It _________________________________________________
Computers ___________________________________________
8) Journalists reported that four people had been injured in the
factory.
It _________________________________________________
Four people _________________________________________
9) I believe that he did five hours’ overtime this week.
He _________________________________________________
10) People think Linda is working part-time in a hotel now.
Linda________________________________________________
_

ACTIVE: He can sleep on a bed of nails.

 He is said to be able to sleep on a bed of
nails.
 When we talk about what other people
say, believe, etc. we can use two possible
passive structures:

ACTIVE: People say that he is the new dean.

It + passive + that-clause (Subj. + verb)

It is said that he is the new dean.
Subject + passive + to infinitive
He is said to be the new dean.
We often use these passive forms in a
formal style and with verbs of perception
such as:
 say, believe, consider, understand, expect,
agree, think, claim, know, suppose …
When the belief, etc. refers to a past
action and we start the sentence with a
subject, we use the “perfect infinitive” (to
have + past participle)
ACTIVE: The fire started late last night.
 It is believed that the fire started late
last night.
but
 The fire is believed to have started late
last night.
ACTIVE: He was planning an escape.
 It was believed that he was planning an
escape.
but
 He was believed to have been planning
an escape.
Some auxiliary verbs are not used or
replaced by equivalent verbs.
ACTIVE: He will fail the test.
 He is expected to fail the test.
ACTIVE: He can sleep on a bed of nails.
 He is said to be able to sleep on a bed of
nails.
9
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Rewrite the sentences in the passive voice as started. Match
the sentences with the pictures.
1) People believe he may be fired.
It is believed that he may be fired.
He is believed to be fired.
2) Someone said he was in love with his secretary.
It was said that he was in love with his secretary.
He was said to be in love with his secretary.
3) Some people expect that robots will take people’s jobs.
It is expected that robots will take people’s jobs.
Robots are expected to take people’s jobs.
4) We know that Michael has been unemployed for quite some
time.
It is known that Michael has been unemployed…
Michael is known to have been unemployed…
5) I believe Bob spent all his money on gambling the other night.
It is believed that Bob spent all his …
Bob is believed to have spent all his …
6) Many people claim machines do all the heavy work for us.
It is claimed that machines do all the …
Machines are claimed to do all the …
7) We think that computers are changing the way we work.
It is thought that computers are changing…
Computers are thought to be changing …
8) Journalists reported that four people had been injured in the
factory.
It was reported that four people had been injured…
Four people were reported to have been injured …
9) I believe that he did five hours’ overtime this week.
He is believed to have done five …
10) People think Linda is working part-time in a hotel now.
Linda is thought to be working part-time...
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