IMPERSONAL PASSIVE SENTENCES: THAT CLAUSE TO INFINITIVE CLAUSE

IT IS SAID THAT A common way of reporting what is said by people in general or by an unspecified group of people is to use: it + passive verb ( be+ past participle)+ that clause: It is reported that the defence minister is to resign. It has been acknowledged that lack of funding is part of the problem. It can be seen that unemployment figures rose sharply in November. OTHER VERBS Other verbs that can be used in this pattern include: AGREE / ALLEGE / ANNOUNCE / ASSUME / BELIEVE/ CALCULATE / CLAIM / CONSIDER / DECLARE / DISCOVER/ESTIMATE / EXPECT / FEEL / FIND / KNOW/ MENTION / PROPOSE / RECOMMEND / RUMOUR / SAY/ SHOW / SUPPOSE / THINK / UNDERSTAND TO INFINITIVE IMPERSONAL PASSIVES An alternative to it + passive verb + that clause is to use the subject of the main sentence + passive verb (be+past participle)+ to-infinitive. Here are a few examples using some of the words above: It is claimed that the terrorist is living abroad or The terrorist is claimed to be living abroad. It is alleged that three hundred people died in the plane crash or Three hundred people are alleged to have died in the plane crash. MORE EXAMPLES It is thought that he stole over a million pounds or He is thought to have stolen over a million pounds. It was reported that he was killed in a fire or He is reported to have been killed in a fire. It is expected that the strike will begin tomorrow or The strike is expected to begin tomorrow. THERE + BE IN THE PASSIVE VOICE When a that-clause begins that + there, we can make a passive form: there + passive verb + to be. Compare: It is thought (that) there are too many obstacles to peace or There are thought to be too many obstacles to peace. It was alleged (that) there had been an explosion or There was alleged to have been an explosion.