Distancing: Expressions and passive of reporting verbs

This exercise helps you practise distancing language, which is often used in news reports, formal writing, and polite conversation. You'll focus on structures like It is believed that, He is thought to, and Apparently, as well as passive forms of reporting verbs. These expressions help present information more objectively or soften the speaker’s opinion.

1. _____ that the negotiations have broken down again.

There seems

It would seem

It seems

There might

2. The company CEO is _____ preparing to step down.

says to be

said to be

telling to be

known to

3. _____ several ministers are planning to resign.

They believed that

It believes that

There is believed

It is believed that

4. He is _____ committed fraud while working at the firm.

allegedly

alleged to

alleged to have

alleging to have

5. The artist _____ working on a new album set to release in autumn.

reported to be

is reporting

is reported to be

reportedly be

6. _____, the suspect escaped through a back door.

Is apparent

Apparently

It is appeared

Allegedly is

7. The employees _____ planning a strike next week.

are thought to be

are think to

are believed

are thinking

8. _____ the deal has already been signed.

It is understand that

It is understood that

There is understood

It is understanding

9. The company’s share price _____ after the CEO’s resignation.

is expected to fall

expected falling

is expecting to fall

is expected fall

10. _____ that major tax reforms are on the way.

It says

It is said

There is said

Saying

11. The team _____ reached the summit despite extreme weather.

believed to have

was believing to have

is believe to

is believed to have

12. The new law _____ reduce emissions by 30% over the next decade.

is expected to

is expecting

expects to

expect to