Distancing & passive reporting verbs. Passive reporting and distancing avoid presenting a claim as direct fact: it is alleged that, is believed to, appears to.
The idea
Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Structure & examples
The painting is believed to be over a century old.
The team is expected to win.
Notice the pattern
The infinitive locates the reported event relative to the reporting belief. To be describes a current state; to have left describes an earlier event. A perfect passive infinitive combines the patterns: is believed to have been stolen. The source of the belief can remain unstated.
The plan is expected to succeed.
He is said to be wealthy.
Important notes & common mistakes
Use a perfect infinitive for an earlier event: to have left.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Passive reporting and distancing avoid presenting a claim as direct fact: it is alleged that, is believed to, appears to. Use a perfect infinitive for earlier events and a continuous infinitive for ongoing activity. Attribution is not proof that a claim is true.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
He is alleged to have taken the money.
The company is believed to be expanding.
It is reported that the documents are missing.
They appear to be making progress.
She is thought to have been working abroad at the time.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
The company is said ___ two hundred people.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to employ
Completed sentence: The company is said to employ two hundred people. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
The missing climber is believed ___ the night.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to have survived
Completed sentence: The missing climber is believed to have survived the night. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
The new system is expected ___ delays.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to reduce
Completed sentence: The new system is expected to reduce delays. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
The documents are thought ___ last year.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: to have been destroyed
Completed sentence: The documents are thought to have been destroyed last year. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Question 1 of 50% complete
The painting is believed ___ over a century old.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to be
Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to employ
Completed sentence: The company is said to employ two hundred people. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to have survived
Completed sentence: The missing climber is believed to have survived the night. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to reduce
Completed sentence: The new system is expected to reduce delays. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to have been destroyed
Completed sentence: The documents are thought to have been destroyed last year. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to be
Completed sentence: Use be as an infinitive: The painting is thought to be authentic. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to win
Completed sentence: Use win as an infinitive: She is expected to win the award. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to have left
Completed sentence: Use leave as a perfect infinitive: He is said to have left yesterday. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to live
Completed sentence: Use live as an infinitive: The author is believed to live abroad. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to have been damaged
Completed sentence: Use damage as a perfect passive infinitive: The archive is thought to have been damaged in the fire. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: The team is expected to win
Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief. Use a perfect infinitive for an earlier event: to have left.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: The plan is expected to succeed
The plan is expected to succeed. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief. Use a perfect infinitive for an earlier event: to have left.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: He is said to be wealthy
He is said to be wealthy. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief. Use a perfect infinitive for an earlier event: to have left.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: The painting is believed to have disappeared
The painting is believed to have disappeared. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief. Use a perfect infinitive for an earlier event: to have left.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: They are thought to live nearby
They are thought to live nearby. Use subject + be said/thought/believed + to-infinitive to report a general belief. Use a perfect infinitive for an earlier event: to have left.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: taken
Completed sentence: He is alleged to have taken the money. Passive reporting and distancing avoid presenting a claim as direct fact: it is alleged that, is believed to, appears to. Use a perfect infinitive for earlier events and a continuous infinitive for ongoing activity. Attribution is not proof that a claim is true.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
Completed sentence: The company is believed to be expanding. Passive reporting and distancing avoid presenting a claim as direct fact: it is alleged that, is believed to, appears to. Use a perfect infinitive for earlier events and a continuous infinitive for ongoing activity. Attribution is not proof that a claim is true.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: reported
Completed sentence: It is reported that the documents are missing. Passive reporting and distancing avoid presenting a claim as direct fact: it is alleged that, is believed to, appears to. Use a perfect infinitive for earlier events and a continuous infinitive for ongoing activity. Attribution is not proof that a claim is true.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: making
Completed sentence: They appear to be making progress. Passive reporting and distancing avoid presenting a claim as direct fact: it is alleged that, is believed to, appears to. Use a perfect infinitive for earlier events and a continuous infinitive for ongoing activity. Attribution is not proof that a claim is true.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: working
Completed sentence: She is thought to have been working abroad at the time. Passive reporting and distancing avoid presenting a claim as direct fact: it is alleged that, is believed to, appears to. Use a perfect infinitive for earlier events and a continuous infinitive for ongoing activity. Attribution is not proof that a claim is true.
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