A) Study these examples:

It is said that she is 108 years old.

She is said to be 108 years old.
Both these sentences mean: People say that

she is 108 years old

You can also use these structures with:
thought
known believed
alleged considered

expected

reported

understood

Examples:
It is believed that the wanted man is
believed to be living in

or The wanted man is

living in New York.

It is alleged that he stole $200.
stolen $200.

New York.
or

He is alleged to have

(These structures are often used in news reports.)

B)

Supposed to

Sometimes (be) supposed to means said to:

-Lets go and see that movie. Its supposed to be very good. (It is said to
be very good)
Sometimes you can use supposed to to say what is planned or arranged
(and this is often
different from what it really happens):
-Id better hurry. Its nearly 8:00. Im supposed to be meeting Ann at
8:15. (=I arranged to
meet Ann; I said I would meet Ann.)
We use not supposed to to say what is not allowed or not advisable:
Youre not supposed to park here. (=You arent allowed to park here)
EXERCISE A
Read the sentence and then write another sentence with the same meaning.
1.

It is said that many people are homeless because of the flood.

2.

It is known that the Governor is in favour of the new law.

3.

It is expected that the President will lose the election.

4.

It is believed that the thieves got in through the kitchen window.

5.

It is alleged that she drove through the town at 90 miles an hour.

6.

It is reported that two people were seriously injured in the accident.

7.

It is said that three men were arrested after the explosion.

EXERCISE B
There are a lot of stories about Arthur, but nobody knows whether
they are true. Make sentences
with supposed to.
1.

People say that Arthur is very rich.

2.

People say that he has 22 children.

3.

People say that he sleeps on a bed of nails.

4.

People say that he inherited a lot of money.

5.

People say that he writes poetry.

EXERCISE C
Now use supposed to with its other meaning. In each example what
happens is not what is supposed to happen. Use supposed to or not
supposed to with one of these verbs:
come

be

call study

have

1.
What are the children doing at
home? They.......................................................at school.
2.
He....................................................in the evenings, but he always
goes out.
3.
Dont put sugar in your tea. You know
you...........................................................sugar.
4.

Oh no! I..................................................Ann, but I completely forgot.

5.
They arrived very early at
2:00. They.........................................................until 3:30.

Exercise A
1.

Many people are said to be homeless because of the flood.

2.

The Governor is known to be in favour of the new law.

3.

The President is expected to lose the election.

4.

The thieves are believed to have got in through the kitchen window.

5.

She is alleged to have driven through the town at 90 miles an hour.

6.

Two people are reported to have been seriously injured in the accident.

7.

The three men are said to have been arrested after the explosion.

Exercise B
1.

Arthur is said to be very rich.

2.

He is said to have 22 children.

3.

He is said to sleep on a bed of nails.

4.

He is said to have inherited a lot of money.

5.

He is said to write poetry.

Exercise C
1.

are supposed to be

2.

is supposed to study

3.

arent supposed to have

4.

was supposed to call

5.

werent supposed to come