Distancing: Expressions and passive of reporting verbs
Learn how to report news, rumors, and beliefs objectively using distancing expressions and passive structures.
- check_circleI can use passive reporting verbs (it is said that..., he is believed to...).
- check_circleI can report general opinions, rumors, and news objectively.
Discover
Meet today's English in a real situation — no rules yet. Read it once and try to guess the pattern in the words in bold. Underlined words open a short definition.
News Anchor: Welcome back. Tonight, we have an update on the mystery surrounding the old mansion on the hill. It is reported that strange lights were seen there last night.
Reporter: That’s right, Sarah. The owner is believed to have abandoned the property decades ago, but recently, there has been some unusual activity. It is said that a hidden treasure is buried underneath the house.
News Anchor: Fascinating. Are there any suspicious individuals involved?
Reporter: Well, a local man is thought to be connected to the events, but nothing is confirmed yet. It has been claimed that he was seen carrying a shovel near the gates. The police are investigating the allegations.
Learn
Now the rules behind what you just saw — explained simply, with examples. Underlined words open a short definition — hover on desktop, tap on a phone.
Distancing is a technique we use to distance ourselves from the information we are reporting. We use it when we are not sure if the information is completely true, or when we want to sound objective and avoid taking responsibility for the facts. This is very common in news reports, formal writing, and rumors.
1. “It is…” + that clause
We can use the passive form of reporting verbs (like say, think, believe, report, claim, consider) followed by a that clause.
- It is said that the CEO is planning to resign.
- It is believed that the fire started in the kitchen.
- It has been reported that the storm will hit the coast tomorrow.
Using “It is said that…” sounds much more formal and objective than saying “People say that…” or “Everyone thinks that…”. It removes the focus from who is saying it, emphasizing the fact itself.
2. Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive
Another common way to distance is to start with the subject of the reported clause, followed by the passive reporting verb, and then a to-infinitive.
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Present/Future: Use to + verb (or to be + -ing for continuous).
- The suspect is believed to be in the area. (People believe he is in the area.)
- They are reported to be hiding in the mountains.
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Past: Use to have + past participle when the reported action happened before the reporting time.
- The burglar is thought to have escaped through the roof. (People think he escaped in the past.)
Common mistake: Do not mix the two structures!
He is said that he is rich.- He is said to be rich.
- It is said that he is rich.
3. Other Distancing Expressions
You can also use adverbs or phrases to show that you are not the original source of the information or that it is not 100% certain.
- Apparently / Seemingly: Used to say that something seems to be true based on what you have heard or read.
- Apparently, they are getting a divorce.
- According to: Used to specify the source of the information.
- According to the weather forecast, it’s going to rain all week.
- It + passive + that: It is said that he is a genius.
- Subject + passive + to (present): He is said to be a genius.
- Subject + passive + to have (past): She is reported to have won the lottery.
- Adverbs: Apparently, seemingly, supposedly.
- Sources: According to…
Practice
Try it yourself. You'll see right away whether you got it right, plus a short explanation of why.
Use It
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Before you finish — be honest. Can you do these now?