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Unit 45 · Passive

it is said that ... he is said to ... he is supposed to ...

Study

A

Study this example situation:

George 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:

alleged believed considered expected known reported thought understood

Cathy loves running.

›

It is said that she runs 10 miles a day.

or

›

She is said to run 10 miles a day.

The police are looking for a missing boy.

›

It is believed that the boy is wearing a white sweater and blue jeans.

or

›

The boy is believed to be wearing a white sweater 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 stole a car.

or

›

He is alleged to have stolen a car.

The 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.

B

You can use supposed to ... in the same way as said to ... :

›

I want to see that film. It's supposed to be good. (= people say it's good)

›

There are many stories about Joe. He's supposed to have robbed a bank many years ago.

›

Fireworks are supposed to have been invented in China. Is it true?

Sometimes supposed to ... has a different meaning. We use supposed to to say what is intended, arranged or expected. Often this is different from the real situation:

›

The plan is supposed to be a secret, but everybody seems to know about it. (= the plan is intended to be a secret)

›

What are you doing at work? You're supposed to be on holiday. (= you arranged to be on holiday)

›

Our guests were supposed to come at 7.30, but they were late.

›

Jane was supposed to phone me last night, but she didn't.

›

I'd better hurry. I'm supposed to be meeting Chris in ten minutes.

You're not supposed to do something = it is not allowed or advised:

›

You're not supposed to park your car here. It's private parking only.

›

Joe is much better after his illness, but he's not supposed to exercise too hard.

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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45.1

Write these sentences in another way, beginning as shown. Use the underlined word each time.

  1. 1
    It is expected that the strike will end soon. The strike to end soon.example
  2. 2
    It is reported that many people are homeless after the floods. Many people homeless after the floods.
  3. 3
    It is thought that the thieves got in through a window in the roof. The thieves in through a window in the roof.
  4. 4
    It is alleged that the driver of the car was driving at 110 miles an hour. The driver at 110 miles an hour.
  5. 5
    It is reported that the building has been badly damaged by the fire. The building badly damaged by the fire.
  6. 6
    It is said that the company is losing a lot of money. The company a lot of money.
  7. 7
    It is believed that the company lost a lot of money last year. The company a lot of money last year.
  8. 8
    It is expected that the company will make a loss this year. The company a loss this year.
45.2

Complete the sentences. Use the words in brackets and any other necessary words.

  1. 1
    a: What's the City Hotel like? Can you recommend it?
    b: I've never stayed there, but (it / supposed) very good.example
  2. 2
    a: How much are these paintings worth?
    b: I'm not sure, but (they / supposed) very valuable.
  3. 3
    a: This looks an interesting building.
    b: Yes, (it / supposed) a prison a long time ago.
  4. 4
    a: Is it true that your neighbours were lucky in the lottery?
    b: Yes, (they / supposed / win) a lot of money.
  5. 5
    a: Is it possible to climb to the top of the tower?
    b: Yes, (the view / supposed) very nice.
  6. 6
    a: I heard that Laura has gone away.
    b: Yes, (she / supposed / living) in London now.
45.3

Write sentences using supposed to be + the following:

on a dieta flowermy frienda jokeopen every daya secretworking
  1. 1
    How is it that everybody knows about the plan?
    It's supposed to be a secret. example
  2. 2
    You shouldn't criticise me all the time. You
    You my friend.
  3. 3
    I shouldn't be eating this cake really. I
    I on a diet.
  4. 4
    I'm sorry for what I said. I was trying to be funny. It
    It a joke.
  5. 5
    What's this drawing? Is it a tree? Or maybe it
    Or maybe it a flower.
  6. 6
    You shouldn't be playing a game now. You
    You working.
  7. 7
    That's strange. The museum seems to be closed. It
    It open every day.
45.4

Write sentences with supposed to ... or not supposed to ... . Choose from the following verbs:

departliftparkphoneputstart
  1. 1
    You your car here. It's private parking only.example
  2. 2
    We work at 8.15, but we rarely do anything before 8.30.
  3. 3
    I Helen last night, but I completely forgot.
  4. 4
    This door is a fire exit. We anything in front of it.
  5. 5
    My flight at 10.15, but it didn't leave until 11.30.
  6. 6
    Jonathan has a problem with his back. He anything heavy.