grammar (passive infinitive) · academic

to be + past participle

Band 7+task2speaking

Passive infinitive: to + be + past participle, used after verbs/adjectives to show that something is done to the subject.

Examples

“This theory is believed to be flawed by many researchers.”

“The policy is expected to be implemented next year.”

“Such measures are likely to be criticised by opponents.”

Band 8 sentence

“The new curriculum is widely regarded to be overly theoretical, which discourages practical skill development.”

Collocations

  • is believed to be
  • is expected to be
  • seems to be

Common mistakes

is believed be→is believed to be

is believed being→is believed to be

are believed to been→are believed to be

Say it for a higher band

5is + past participle (present passive)→6was + past participle (past passive)→7+to be + past participle

Synonyms

be said to + V

Easily confused

being + V-ing

“The bridge is being repaired at the moment.”

to have + past participle

“She seems to have been promoted recently.”

Related words

have / has + past participlesubject + V(s) (simple present)be about to + base verbbe + V-ingso + adjective/adverb + that + clauseIf + present perfect, will + base verbNot only + clause, but also + clausewill have been + V-ing

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In Tenses

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