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He is believed to be …

I was asked to send …​

Many verbs can be followed by object + infinitive (see here).

  • He asked me to send a stamped addressed envelope.
  • We chose Felicity to be the Carnival Queen.

In most cases, these structures can be made passive.

  • I was asked to send a stamped addressed envelope.
  • Felicity was chosen to be the Carnival Queen.
  • We were told not to come back.
  • They are allowed to visit Harry once a week.

He is believed to be dangerous.​

With verbs like think, feel, believe, know, etc, the object + infinitive structure is rather formal and often unusual.

  • They believe him to be dangerous. (more usual: They believe that he …)

However, the passive structure (e.g. He is believed to be …) is common, and often occurs in news reports.

  • He is believed to be dangerous.
  • Moriarty is thought to be in Switzerland.
  • She is known to have been married before.
  • It is considered to be the finest cathedral in Scotland.

Note that with say, the infinitive structure is only possible in the passive.

  • His company is said to be in trouble. (but not They say his company to be in trouble.)

hear, see, make and help​

These verbs can be followed, in active structures, by object + infinitive without to (see here). In passive structures to-infinitives are used. Compare:

  • I saw him come out of the house.
    He was seen to come out of the house.
  • They made him tell them everything.
    He was made to tell them everything.
  • They helped him (to) get out of the country.
    He was helped to get out of the country.

Preparatory there​

With some verbs (e.g. say, think, feel, report, presume, understand), the passive structure is possible with there as a ‘preparatory subject’.

  • There are thought to be more than 3,000 different languages in the world. (= It is thought that there are …)
  • There was said to be disagreement between Ministers.

Perfect, progressive and passive infinitives​

A passive verb can be followed by a perfect, progressive or passive infinitive.

  • He is believed to have crossed the frontier last night.
  • I was told to be waiting outside the station at six o’clock.
  • The hostages are expected to be released today.

Exceptions: wanting and liking​

Verbs that refer to wanting, liking and similar ideas cannot usually be used in passive structures with infinitives after them.

  • Everybody wanted Doris to be the manager. (but not Doris was wanted to be the manager.)
  • We like our staff to say what they think. (but not Our staff are liked to say what they think.)