He is thought to have left · She is believed to be hiding · There is said to be · being asked · got caught
Building on B2
The reporting passive, extended
At B2: It is said that the hotel is haunted / The hotel is said to be haunted. C1 changes the infinitive to show time, uses there, and puts the passive after other verbs.
Perfect and continuous infinitives
When did it happen?
earlier
He is thought to have left the country. (People think he left.)
in progress
She is believed to be hiding in the mountains.
earlier, in progress
They are said to have been living abroad for years.
to be = same time as the reporting · to have + PP = earlier.
There is said to be
Reporting that something exists
There is said to be treasure under the castle.
There are thought to have been over 500 people at the protest.
There is believed to be life on other planets.
Passive -ing and to forms
being done · to be done · having been done
I hate being interrupted.
verb + passive -ing
She expects to be promoted soon.
verb + passive infinitive
Having been warned, we took a different road.
perfect passive participle
The get passive
Informal; often unexpected or unwanted
He got caught cheating.
Our car got scratched in the car park.
She got promoted last month.
Avoid get in formal writing; use be.
Common mistakes
Where learners go wrong most often
He is thought to leave the country last week.
→
He is thought to have left the country last week.
earlier action → to have + PP
It is said to be treasure here.
→
There is said to be treasure here.
existence → there
I don't like being interrupt.
→
I don't like being interrupted.
being + past participle
She expects promoting soon.
→
She expects to be promoted soon.
expect + passive infinitive
Your turn
Answer out loud — full sentences
Report rumours and experiences.
1
Report a rumour about a famous person, using is said to have…
2
Something there is said to be in your town or country?
3
What do you hate being asked?
4
Tell me about a time someone got caught doing something.