Advanced Passive Structures
Beyond the basic passive, English has a range of complex passive constructions used in formal, academic, and journalistic writing.
The reporting passive
Used to report beliefs, claims, and opinions impersonally — very common in academic and news writing.
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| It is said/believed/thought/reported/claimed + that-clause | It is believed that the economy will recover. |
| Subject + is said/believed/thought + to-infinitive | The economy is believed to be recovering. |
| Subject + is said + to have + past participle | The building is said to have been built in 1890. |
It is reported that over a million people were affected.
The suspect is alleged to have fled the country.
The company is known to have suffered significant losses.
The causative passive (have/get something done)
Used when you arrange for someone else to do something for you.
She had her hair cut. (she arranged for a hairdresser to cut it)
We are getting the roof repaired next week.
Have you had your eyes tested recently?
Passive infinitives and gerunds
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Passive infinitive | She wants to be promoted. The form needs to be signed. |
| Passive gerund | He hates being ignored. She doesn't mind being asked. |
| Perfect passive infinitive | She seems to have been overlooked for the role. |
Double passive
The report is expected to be published next week.
The new law is believed to have been drafted in secret.
Tip: The reporting passive allows writers to convey information without attributing it to a specific source — essential for hedging in academic and journalistic writing.