Reporting with passives – it is said that…

REPORTING WITH PASSIVES - IT IS SAID THAT... 

In advanced grammar, one important concept is reporting information using passive voice structures. One common structure used for reporting information is "It is said that..." This structure allows us to convey information that we have heard or read without specifying the source explicitly.

Here is a detailed explanation of the grammar involved in reporting with passives using the structure "It is said that...":

1. Structure:

   The basic structure of reporting with passives using "It is said that..." is as follows:

   "It is said that" + subject + verb in the passive voice + that-clause

   Example:

   - Original statement: "They will build a new hospital."

   - Reporting with passives: "It is said that a new hospital will be built."

2. Use of "It":

   In this structure, "It" is a dummy subject used to introduce the reported information. It doesn't refer to any specific noun but acts as a placeholder subject.

   Example:

   - Original statement: "John has won the award."

   - Reporting with passives: "It is said that the award has been won."

3. Passive voice:

   The verb in the original statement is converted into the passive voice in the reported form. The tense of the verb changes according to the tense of the original statement.

   Example:

   - Original statement: "They are repairing the bridge."

   - Reporting with passives: "It is said that the bridge is being repaired."

4. That-clause:

   The reported information is introduced by a "that" clause. The verb within the that-clause is usually in the same tense as the verb in the original statement.

   Example:

   - Original statement: "She has written a best-selling novel."

   - Reporting with passives: "It is said that a best-selling novel has been written."

5. Changes in pronouns and adverbs:

   Pronouns and adverbs in the original statement may need to be changed when reporting the information. This is necessary to maintain appropriate subject-verb agreement and to reflect the perspective of the original statement.

   Example:

   - Original statement: "I will finish the project."

   - Reporting with passives: "It is said that the project will be finished."

6. Modal verbs:

   When the original statement includes a modal verb, the modal verb is retained in the reporting form.

   Example:

   - Original statement: "They can solve the problem."

   - Reporting with passives: "It is said that the problem can be solved."

7. Time and place expressions:

   Time and place expressions in the original statement may need to be adjusted when reporting the information, depending on the context.

   Example:

   - Original statement: "The meeting is at 3 p.m. in the conference room."

   - Reporting with passives: "It is said that the meeting is at 3 p.m., in the conference room."

By using the structure "It is said that..." in reporting with passives, you can convey information without attributing it directly to a specific source. This structure is useful when discussing rumors, general knowledge, or widely held beliefs. Remember to pay attention to verb tense changes, pronoun and adverb modifications, and the appropriate use of passive voice when applying this structure in your writing or speaking.