PASSIVE WITH REPORTING VERBS: EXPLANATION ( MURPHY)

 Study this example situation:

Henry is very old. Nobody knows exactly how old he is, but:

It is said that he is 108 years old.
or
He is said to be 108 years old.

Both these sentences mean: ‘People say that he is 108 years old.’

You can use these structures with a number of other verbs, especially:

 thought believed considered reported known expected alleged understood

Compare the two structures:

  • Cathy works very hard.
    It is said that she works 16 hours a day. or She is said to work 16 hours a day.
  • The police are looking for a missing boy.
    It is believed that the boy is wearing a white pullover and blue jeans. or The boy is believed to be wearing a white pullover and blue jeans.
  • The strike started three weeks ago.
    It is expected that it will end soon. or The strike is expected to end soon.
  • A friend of mine has been arrested.
    It is alleged that he kicked a policeman. or He is alleged to have kicked a policeman.
  • Those two houses belong to the same family.
    It is said that there is a secret tunnel between them.or There is said to be a secret tunnel between them.


These structures are often used in news reports. For example, in a report about an accident:
  • It is reported that two people were injured in the explosion. or Two people are reported to have been injured in the explosion.
(Be) supposed to
Sometimes it is supposed to… = it is said to…:
  • Let's go and see that film. It's supposed to be very good. (= it is said to be very good)
  • Why was he arrested?’ ‘He's supposed to have kicked a policeman.’ (= he is said to have kicked a policeman)
But sometimes supposed to has a different meaning. ‘Something is supposed to happen’ = it is planned, arranged or expected. Often this is different from what really happens:
  • I'd better hurry. It's nearly 8 o'clock and I'm supposed to be meeting Ann at 8.15. (= I have arranged to meet Ann, I said I would meet her)
  • The train was supposed to arrive at 11.30 but it was an hour late. (= the train was expected to arrive at 11.30 according to the timetable)
  • You were supposed to clean the windows. Why didn't you do it?
You're not supposed to do something’ = it is not allowed or advisable for you to do it:
  • You're not supposed to park your car here. It's private parking only.
  • Mr Bond is much better after his illness but he's still not supposed to do any heavy work. (= his doctors have advised him not to…)


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It is said thatHe is said to, and sometimes (be) supposed to have the meaning "people say..." and they are often used in news reports.
i.e. An old lady in my town died last week, and people say that she gave a lot of money to charity. 
It is said thatHe is said to(be) supposed to
It is said that she gave a lot of money to charity.She is said to have given a lot of money to charity.She is supposed to have given a lot of money to charity.
Some other verbs are also used in this construction:thought, believed, considered, reported, known, expected, alleged, understood

But (be) supposed to also has a few other meanings. It can also mean something that is plannedarranged, or expected.
i.e. I have to go home now because I'm supposed to make dinner for my little sister.

not supposed to is used for things that are not allowed or not advisable.
i.e. You're not supposed to go outside with your hair wet.

Rewrite each of the following sentences using it is said thatis said to(be) supposed to or not supposed to. Sometimes there is more than one correct answer.

1. People say that Bob is afraid of spiders.


2. Sally is not allowed to have any snacks between meals.


3. The train should be here at 8:30 am.


4. It is said that the two companies will be merging soon.


5. That movie is supposed to be very good.


6. It is not advisable for you to park here.


7. He was in the army a long time ago.


8. Mary has arranged to have dinner with a friend tonight.


9. I had planned on doing the essay last night.


10. People say that he bought a jet with his winnings.

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