It is said (reported, learned...) that ... 該句型中的 it 仍是形式主語,真正主語是 that 引導的主語從句。該結(jié)構(gòu)常譯為據(jù)說。
如：
It is said that the early European playing-cards were designed for entertainment and education. 據(jù)說早期歐洲的紙牌是為娛樂和教育設計的。(遼寧卷)
It is said that dogs will keep you company for as long as you want when you are feeling lonely. 據(jù)說當你感覺孤單時，狗會一直陪伴你，你需要它陪你多久它就陪你多久！(江西卷)
It’s said that quite a few boys in your school like playing football in their spare time, though others prefer basketball. 聽說你們學校有不少男孩子喜歡在業(yè)余時間踢足球，而其他人則喜歡打籃球。(遼寧卷)
It is said that they have swum to the island from the continent, but they couldn’t have done it because the ocean in between is too wide. 據(jù)說他們已從大陸游到島上，但他們不可能做到這一點，因為其間的海面太寬了。(湖北卷)
類似it is said that…句式的特點是：均以it作形式主語，均在被動謂語后接that從句（其實為主語從句），譯成漢語時通常用“據(jù)……”表示，如根據(jù)主句謂語動詞的意思不同可以譯成“據(jù)說”“據(jù)信”“據(jù)估計”“據(jù)報道”“據(jù)傳聞”等。這類句式比較常見的有以下一些：
1. It is believed that… 據(jù)說……，據(jù)信……
It’s believed that the troops have already crossed the border. 信軍隊已越過邊界。
It is believed that the couple have left the country. 據(jù)信那對夫婦已離開了這個國家。
2. It is claimed that… 據(jù)稱……
It is claimed that current levels of pesticide do not pose a threat to health. 據(jù)稱當前殺蟲劑的含量不會對健康構(gòu)成威脅。
It’s claimed that they produce the best athletes in the world but I think that’s impossible. 據(jù)稱，他們可以培養(yǎng)出世界上最好的運動員，但我認為那是不可能的。
3. It is estimated that… 據(jù)估計……
It is estimated that smoking causes 100,000 deaths every year. 估計每年有100,000人由于吸煙而死亡。
It is estimated that four million viewers watched the programme. 據(jù)估計有400 萬觀眾收看了這一節(jié)目。
4. It is expected that… 據(jù)估計……，預計……，估計……
It’s expected that the war would end soon. 預計戰(zhàn)爭不久即可結(jié)束。
It is expected that the new owner will change the yacht’s name. 估計新主人會給游艇改名。
5. It is known that… 眾所周知……，人們認為……
It is known that he is honest. 眾所周知，他是個老實人。
It is known that her father is an expert. 人們認為她父親是一位專家。
6. It is presumed that… 據(jù)推測……
Little is known of the youngest son; it is presumed that he died young. 對于最小的兒子所知甚少，據(jù)推測他年輕時就死了。
7. It is reported that… 據(jù)報道……
It is reported that many a new house is being built at present in the disaster area. 據(jù)報道，災區(qū)如今正在建設許多新房。
It is reported that the police will soon look into the case of the two missing children. 據(jù)報道，警察會很快調(diào)查這兩起兒童失蹤案。
8. It is rumoured that… 據(jù)傳……，謠傳……，據(jù)說……
It’s rumoured that she’s going to resign. 據(jù)傳她打算辭職。
It is rumoured that oil has been found in that area. 謠傳該地區(qū)發(fā)現(xiàn)了石油。
9. It is thought that… 據(jù)估計……，人們認為……
In former times it was thought that ordinary metal could be turned into gold. 古時人們認為一般金屬能變成黃金。
It is thought that there are more than 3,000 different languages in the world. 據(jù)估計，世界上有三千多種不同的語言。
10. It was understood that… 據(jù)悉……，眾所周知……
It is understood that the old man had a heart attack. 據(jù)悉，那位老人心臟病發(fā)作。
In the library it is understood that loud talking is not permissible. 眾所周知，圖書館里禁止大聲喧嘩。
11. It is whispered that… 據(jù)說……，據(jù)傳……
It is whispered that he is heavily in debt. 據(jù)說他負債累累。
It was whispered that he would soon die. 有謠言說他快要死了。