Impersonal structures: It is said that… Practice Tests with B2 Grammar Rules & Examples

Impersonal Structures: It is said that…

In everyday English, we often want to talk about general beliefs, rumours, or widely accepted ideas — without saying exactly who believes them. Instead of saying "People say that coffee is good for you" or "Scientists believe that sleep is important," we can use an impersonal structure such as It is said that…

These impersonal structures are extremely common in formal writing, journalism, academic English, and news reports. They allow the speaker or writer to present information as general knowledge or opinion without identifying a specific source.

For example:

• It is said that laughter is the best medicine.
• It is believed that the painting was stolen in 1943.
• It is thought that the economy will improve next year.

In this lesson, you will learn how to form and use impersonal structures with it and with the subject + to-infinitive pattern. You will also learn which reporting verbs are used, when to use each structure, and how to avoid common mistakes.

What Are Impersonal Structures?

An impersonal structure is a grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence is it or a noun phrase (not a specific person). This makes the statement sound general, neutral, or objective.

Compare these two sentences:

• Personal: People say that he is very talented.
• Impersonal: It is said that he is very talented.

Both sentences carry the same meaning, but the impersonal version sounds more formal and avoids specifying who is doing the saying.

These structures are built using passive reporting verbs. The most common ones are:

• say → It is said that…
• believe → It is believed that…
• think → It is thought that…
• report → It is reported that…
• know → It is known that…
• consider → It is considered that…
• expect → It is expected that…
• claim → It is claimed that…
• suggest → It is suggested that…
• estimate → It is estimated that…
• understand → It is understood that…
• allege → It is alleged that…

Structure 1: It + passive verb + that-clause

This is the most straightforward impersonal structure. The sentence starts with it as a dummy subject (a subject with no real meaning — it simply fills the subject position), followed by a passive reporting verb, and then a that-clause containing the main information.

Pattern:

It + is/was/has been + past participle of reporting verb + that + subject + verb…

Examples:

• It is said that the castle is haunted.
• It is believed that the drug has no side effects.
• It is reported that hundreds of people were affected.
• It is thought that the project will cost millions.
• It is known that regular exercise improves mental health.

Tense Changes in the Passive Verb

You can change the tense of the passive reporting verb to show when the belief or report exists:

Structure 2: Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive

The second main impersonal structure moves the subject of the that-clause to the front of the sentence. Instead of starting with it, we start with the person or thing being described.

Pattern:

Subject + is/was/has been + past participle of reporting verb + to-infinitive

Compare the two structures:

• It is said that he is brilliant. → He is said to be brilliant.
• It is believed that she left the country. → She is believed to have left the country.
• It is thought that the building is dangerous. → The building is thought to be dangerous.

Both structures are correct and carry the same meaning. The second structure (with a subject) is often considered slightly more natural in spoken formal English and in news reporting.

Choosing the Correct Infinitive Form

The infinitive form you use depends on the time relationship between the reporting verb and the action being described:

More examples:

• The prime minister is expected to resign tomorrow. (resignation in the future — same time frame)
• The ancient temple is thought to have been built in 300 BC. (built before the present — earlier than now)
• The company is reported to be losing money rapidly. (happening now — continuous)
• The suspect is alleged to have stolen the documents. (theft happened before — earlier)

Full Overview: Both Structures Side by Side

Common Reporting Verbs: Full Reference Table

Important Differences and Special Cases

1. Active vs Impersonal Passive

In informal English, we more commonly use an active structure with a general subject such as people, they, everyone, or experts. In formal or written English, the impersonal passive is preferred.

2. It is said that… vs It is told that…

A very common error is using tell instead of say in impersonal structures. This is incorrect because tell always requires an indirect object (you tell someone something). The verb say does not require this.

❌ It is told that the treasure is buried here.
✅ It is said that the treasure is buried here.

3. It is considered vs It is considered that

With the verb consider, we more often use the subject + passive + infinitive structure rather than the it + that structure:

• ✅ She is considered to be one of the best scientists in the world. (more natural)
• ✅ It is considered that she is one of the best scientists. (also correct, but less common)

4. The Verb suggest

With suggest, the that-clause structure (Structure 1) is strongly preferred. The subject + infinitive structure is rare and should generally be avoided:

• ✅ It is suggested that you consult a doctor.
• ❌ You are suggested to consult a doctor. (not standard in British English)

5. Negative Forms

To make impersonal structures negative, add not before the infinitive (in Structure 2) or use a negative that-clause (in Structure 1):

• It is believed that the suspect did not act alone.
• The suspect is believed not to have acted alone.
• It is thought that the information was not leaked intentionally.
• The information is thought not to have been leaked intentionally.

Common Mistakes

❌ It is said that he be very clever.
✅ Use a full finite verb in the that-clause: It is said that he is very clever.

❌ He is said to being a great leader.
✅ Use the correct infinitive form: He is said to be a great leader.

❌ It is told that the village was destroyed in the war.
✅ Use said, not told: It is said that the village was destroyed in the war.

❌ She is believed to stole the money.
✅ Use the perfect infinitive for an earlier action: She is believed to have stolen the money.

❌ It is known that the area is been dangerous.
✅ Do not mix passive structures in the that-clause unnecessarily: It is known that the area is dangerous.

❌ It is expected that he to resign soon.
✅ Do not use to + infinitive inside a that-clause: It is expected that he will resign soon.

❌ The prices are said that they will rise.
✅ Use the subject + passive + infinitive pattern correctly: Prices are said to be rising. or It is said that prices will rise.

❌ You are suggested to take more rest.
✅ Use the it structure with suggest: It is suggested that you take more rest.

Real-World Examples: Impersonal Structures in Context

Here are some examples of the kind of language you would find in news articles and formal texts:

• It is reported that the two leaders will meet next week to discuss a possible trade deal.
• The suspect is alleged to have committed three separate offences.
• It is widely believed that climate change is one of the greatest threats facing humanity.
• The ancient ruins are thought to have been constructed over two thousand years ago.
• It is estimated that over one billion people currently live without access to clean water.
• The new treatment is said to be far more effective than existing alternatives.
• It is understood that the company is planning a major restructuring programme.
• The missing hiker is believed to be sheltering in a remote valley in the mountains.

Impersonal Structures: Quick Summary

Impersonal structures such as It is said that… are used to report general opinions, beliefs, and information without naming a specific source. They are a key feature of formal and academic English.

There are two main structures:

• Structure 1: It + passive reporting verb + that-clause
  → It is believed that the economy will recover.
• Structure 2: Subject + passive reporting verb + to-infinitive
  → The economy is believed to be recovering.

Key points to remember:

• Use to + base verb when the action happens at the same time as the reporting.
• Use to have + past participle when the action happened before the reporting.
• Use to be + -ing for ongoing actions.
• The most common reporting verbs are: say, believe, think, report, know, expect, claim, estimate, consider, allege, understand, suggest.
• Never use tell in place of say in impersonal structures.
• Avoid using the subject + infinitive structure with the verb suggest.

Now practise impersonal structures in the exercises below.