People say that he speaks 5 languages. Passive impersonal: He is said to speak 5 languages. Also: It is said that he speaks 5 languages.
She is known ___ (work) here for 10 years. → to have worked passive impersonal exercises
The is a formal structure used to report general beliefs, opinions, or rumors without identifying a specific person as the source. It is highly common in academic writing, news reports, and official announcements to maintain an objective tone. Core Structures People say that he speaks 5 languages
At its core, the passive voice functions by promoting the object of an action to the subject of the sentence. In an active sentence, such as "The scientist conducted the experiment," the focus is squarely on the scientist. However, when transformed into the passive—"The experiment was conducted by the scientist"—the focus shifts to the experiment. The primary utility of this construction is to manage information flow. In scientific and technical writing, for instance, the methodology is significantly more important than the identity of the researcher. By suppressing the agent, the writer creates a sense of detachment, suggesting that the results are independent of the person who found them. This creates an aura of objectivity, implying that the facts speak for themselves. She is known ___ (work) here for 10 years