Say, think, believe, know, expect, report, consider, claim, estimate Learn English Online | British Council 2. Formulate the Impersonal Passive This structure uses the introductory subject and keeps the original clause intact. be (appropriate tense) Past Participle (Reporting Verb) that-clause
People believe that the dragon guards a treasure.Leo transformed this into the Impersonal Passive . It was easy: he started with "It," used the passive form of the reporting verb, and kept the rest of the sentence the same.
Used when the action in the subordinate clause happened before the reporting. They say that she stole the money. Personal: She is said to have stolen the money. 3. Key Differences and Usage Impersonal Passive Personal Passive Focus Focus on the action/rumor Focus on the person/thing Subject "It" (Dummy Subject) Real Subject Structure personal impersonal passive exercises pdf
The personal passive shifts the subject of the that-clause to the front of the sentence. This structure feels more direct and is highly common in news broadcasts and formal reports. The Formula
As the library clock ticked toward closing time, the librarian approached their table. She was a stern woman with wire-rimmed glasses. Say, think, believe, know, expect, report, consider, claim,
Section 1: Understanding Reporting Verbs in the Passive Voice
Impersonal: _________________________________________________ It was easy: he started with "It," used
In English grammar, the Passive Voice is typically introduced as a transformation where the object of an active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. However, advanced proficiency requires an understanding of the , a construction frequently used in journalism, academic writing, and formal reports.
Mastering Personal and Impersonal Passive Structures: Guide, Examples, and Practice
: Features clear transformation examples like "They say she works hard" → "She is said to work hard."