2.5.- The passive infinitive construction.

We are going to study now the passive infinitive.

Can you have a look at these sentences?

• People say prices will go up next summer.
  • It is said prices will go up next summer.
  • Prices are said to go up next summer.
• People know that lots of secretaries earn a low salary.
  • It is known that lots of secretaries earn a low salary.
  • Secretaries are known to earn a low salary.

You already know how to form the impersonal passive construction It is + past participle …

What about the third sentences in each group above? How do we form the passive infinitive construction?

Let’s take the first example.

• Prices are said to go up next summer.

The subject of the subordinate clause (prices) becomes the subject of the main sentence. The verb of perception or main verb (say) is put into the passive voice. The rest of the sentence is added using an infinitive construction (to go up).

The two passive structures mean exactly the same.

Let’s see another example:

• They think that a famous pop star lives in the house on the corner.
  • It is thought that a famous pop star lives in the house on the corner.
  • A famous pop star is thought to live in the house on the corner.

If the main verb is in the past, we use the passive construction in the past.

• They thought Peter and Kim were abroad.
  • It was thought Peter and Kim were abroad.
  • Peter and Kim were thought to be abroad.
• People expected that Hillary would win the primary elections.
  • It was expected that Hillary would win the primary elections.
  • Hillary was expected to win the primary elections.

BE SUPPOSED TO.

This passive construction has two possible meanings:

• Said to:
  • I want to see that film; It is supposed to be brilliant. (People say it is brilliant).
• Duty, obligation, rule or timetable:
  • She is supposed to finish all her work by 7:00 pm.
  • The train is supposed to arrive at 5:20.