Intermediate grammar · Unit 45 · B2

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

Passive

It is said that he is ... and he is said to be ... both report what people say, believe or expect. Supposed to does the same job, and also says what was intended or arranged, often in contrast with what actually happened.

Go to the exercises

A it is said that ... / he is said to ...

Old Mr Pickering is very old. Nobody knows exactly how old, but it is said that he is 103, or he is said to be 103. Both mean people say that he is 103. He himself is not telling.

The same patterns work with alleged, believed, considered, expected, known, reported, thought, understood. They are the furniture of news reports.

it is ... that subject + is ... to
It is said that she swims a mile every morning. She is said to swim a mile every morning.
It is believed that the girl is wearing a red coat. The girl is believed to be wearing a red coat.
It is expected that the strike will end soon. The strike is expected to end soon.
It is alleged that he stole a lorry. He is alleged to have stolen a lorry.
It is said that there is a tunnel under the castle. There is said to be a tunnel under the castle.
It is reported that three people were injured. Three people are reported to have been injured.
  • Mr Pickering is said to be 103 years old.
  • The missing girl is believed to be wearing a red coat.
  • The talks are expected to finish later today.
  • She is alleged to have forged the documents.
  • There is said to be a tunnel under the castle.
  • Three people are reported to have been injured in the fire.

B supposed to ...

Supposed to can be used like said to: it reports what people say.

It has a second meaning too: what is intended, arranged or expected, which is often not what actually happens.

You're not supposed to do something means it is not allowed, or not advised.

  • Let's try that new Thai place. It's supposed to be excellent.
  • There are all sorts of stories about Uncle Frank. He's supposed to have wrestled a bear in 1974.
  • Fish and chips are supposed to have been first sold together in London. Is that true?
  • The party is supposed to be a surprise, but Gran has already guessed.
  • Why are you answering emails? You're supposed to be on maternity leave.
  • The plumber was supposed to come at nine, but he turned up at two.
  • I'd better dash. I'm supposed to be meeting Faye in ten minutes.
  • You're not supposed to park here. It's for residents only.
  • Dad's much better, but he's not supposed to lift anything heavy.

Exercises

45.1 Write each sentence another way, beginning as shown and using the verb in the first sentence.

  1. It is expected that the dispute will end soon. The dispute is expected to end soon.

    The dispute is expected to end soon.

  2. It is reported that hundreds of homes are without power after the storm. Hundreds of homes .

  3. It is thought that the burglars got in through the skylight. The burglars .

  4. It is alleged that the driver was doing ninety miles an hour. The driver .

  5. It is reported that the castle wall has collapsed after the storm. The castle wall .

  6. It is said that the theatre is struggling to sell tickets. The theatre .

  7. It is believed that the football club lost a lot of money last season. The football club .

  8. It is expected that the football club will make a loss this season. The football club .

45.2 Complete B's answers with the words in brackets and any other words you need.

  1. A: What's the new pizza place like? B: I haven't tried it yet, but it's supposed to be (it / supposed) fantastic.

    I haven't tried it yet, but it's supposed to be fantastic.

  2. A: How much are these old coins worth? B: I'm not sure, but (they / supposed) quite valuable.

  3. A: That's an odd-looking building. B: Yes, (it / supposed) a workhouse a long time ago.

  4. A: Is it true your neighbours had a big win on the horses? B: Yes, (they / supposed / win) thousands.

  5. A: Can you go up to the top of the lighthouse? B: Yes, and (the view / supposed) amazing.

  6. A: I heard Zoe has moved away. B: Yes, (she / supposed / living) in Brighton now.

45.3 Write sentences with supposed to be and one of these: a secret, on a diet, a horse, my friend, a joke, working, open every day.

a secreton a dieta horsemy frienda jokeworkingopen every day

  1. How come everybody knows about the party? It's supposed to be a secret.

    How come everybody knows about the party? It's supposed to be a secret.

  2. Stop picking holes in everything I do. You're .

  3. I really shouldn't be eating this flapjack. I'm .

  4. Please don't be offended. I was only teasing. It was .

  5. What's this drawing meant to be? A dog? Or is it ?

  6. You shouldn't be on your phone at your desk. You're .

  7. That's odd. The library's shut. It's .

45.4 Write sentences with supposed to or not supposed to and one of these verbs: depart, lift, park, ring, put, start.

departliftparkringputstart

  1. You're not supposed to park in this bay. It's kept clear for ambulances.

    You're not supposed to park in this bay. It's kept clear for ambulances.

  2. We work at eight, but nobody does anything before half past.

  3. I my sister last night, but it went clean out of my head.

  4. This is a fire door. We anything in front of it.

  5. Our ferry at six, but it didn't leave until half eight.

  6. Uncle Pete has a bad back. He anything heavy.

See also