What is distancing?
Distancing language is used when we want to report information without taking personal responsibility for it — we distance ourselves from the claim. It is common in news, academic writing, and formal speech.
Passive (distanced, impersonal): "It is said that he is guilty." / "He is said to be guilty."
Pattern 1: It + passive reporting verb + that-clause
The subject is "it" (impersonal). Use this when talking about general belief or reported information.
| Time | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present / future | It is said / believed / thought + that + present/future | It is believed that he lives in Argentina. |
| Past | It was said / reported + that + past | It was reported that three people were injured. |
| About the past (now) | It is said / alleged + that + past simple | It is alleged that he stole the money. |
Pattern 2: Subject + passive reporting verb + to-infinitive
The subject is the person or thing being talked about. This is the more common pattern in formal and journalistic English.
| Relationship | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Same time as reporting verb | subject + is/are + verb + to be + adj/noun | He is said to be very talented. |
| Earlier than reporting verb | subject + is/are + verb + to have + pp | She is believed to have left the country. |
| Ongoing at reporting time | subject + is/are + verb + to be + -ing | They are thought to be planning an attack. |
| Past reporting + same time | subject + was/were + verb + to be | The suspect was reported to be armed. |
Common reporting verbs used this way
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| say | It is said that… / He is said to be… |
| believe | It is believed that… / She is believed to have… |
| think | It is thought that… / They are thought to be… |
| report | It was reported that… / Two people were reported to be… |
| claim | It is claimed that… / He is claimed to have… |
| know | It is known that… / She is known to travel frequently. |
| allege | It is alleged that… / He is alleged to have… |
| understand | It is understood that… / The deal is understood to be… |
Exercises
Choose the correct passive reporting structure.
1. People say she is a brilliant scientist. → She ___ a brilliant scientist.
2. People believe he escaped two years ago. → It ___ that he escaped two years ago.
3. Authorities think the gang is operating from abroad. → The gang ___ from abroad.
4. People know she wrote the book ten years ago. → She ___ the book ten years ago.
5. Reports say the president will resign. → ___ that the president will resign.