Hello there, fellow language lovers!
If you’ve ever wanted to share a spicy bit of gossip without taking the blame for it, or if you want to write a formal report that sounds like it was penned by a high-ranking diplomat, you are in the right place.
Today, we are diving into the Impersonal Passive. In my 25 years of teaching, I’ve seen students sweat over this structure more than a jogger in July. But don't worry—it’s actually quite logical once you see the pattern.
What on Earth is an "Impersonal Passive"?
Usually, we like to know who did something.
Active: "The neighbors say that Mr. Jones stole the lawnmower."
But sometimes, we don't know who "the neighbors" are, or we want to sound objective and formal. This is where the Impersonal Passive steps in. It allows us to report general beliefs, sayings, or rumors.
It’s the "people say," "it is rumored," and "everyone knows" of the formal English world.
Method 1: The "It" Structure (The Easy Way)
This is the most common way to form an impersonal passive. It’s like a "fill-in-the-blank" formula.
The Formula:
Active: People believe that the internet pirate escaped.
Passive: It is believed that the internet pirate escaped.
Why use it? It’s safe. It’s clean. It’s perfect for when you want to report a fact but don't want to name your sources. (Perfect for journalists... or gossips!)
Method 2: The "Personal" Impersonal Structure (The Fancy Way)
This one is a bit trickier, but it’s the one that really impresses examiners in the C1 Advanced or IELTS exams. Instead of starting with "It," we start with the person we are talking about.
The Formula:
1. Present/Future action? Use a Simple Infinitive (to do).
Active: People say he is a vandal.
Passive: He is said to be a vandal.
2. Past action? Use a Perfect Infinitive (to have done).
Active: They believe the burglar broke in at night.
Passive: The burglar is believed to have broken in at night.
Common Verbs We Use
You can't use just any verb here. We usually use "reporting" verbs. Here are the most popular ones:
- Say (is said to...)
- Believe (is believed to...)
- Think (is thought to...)
- Report (is reported to...)
- Claim (is claimed to...)
- Rumor (is rumored to...)
Why should you care? (The "Expert" Perspective)
In my 25 years of teaching, I’ve noticed that students who master this structure move from "Intermediate" to "Advanced" almost instantly. It changes the way you write essays and how you understand BBC or CNN news reports.
Recommended Resources for Practice
To really nail these structures, you need the right tools. If you are studying on your own, I highly recommend the "English Grammar in Use" series by Raymond Murphy. It has been a staple in my classroom for two decades because it explains things simply without the fluff.
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Ready to Put This Into Practice?
Don't just read about it—master it. Try our interactive exercises to perfect your reporting structures and sound more sophisticated.
Start Impersonal Passive Exercises →