[General] The Italians are said to be the most passionate people in Europe.

[kite]

Hi teachers,

"The Italians are said to be the most passionate people in Europe." In this context, does "said" mean "called"?


Thanks.

 

[probus]

No, you can't used called in that construction. You could say "The Italians are called the most passionate people in Europe" (omit the to be) but even that is not perfectly natural.

It is said the the Italians are...
People say the Italians are ...
Italians are considered to be ...

 

[kite]

I did mean "known" not "called". I made a mistake. I got it in my dictionary. I just want to know if "said" means "known", like "The Italians are known as to be the most passionate people in Europe.". I asked this because I am not that much familiar with this kind of pattern, i.e. "The Italians are said to be the most passionate people in Europe.". I think now I got it. I can also write that sentence as "It is said that the Italians are known as/called the most passionate people in Europe.".

 

[5jj]

I can also write that sentence as "It is said that the Italians are known as/called the most passionate people in Europe.".

No. People say / It is said (that) the Italians are the most passionate people in the world, as probus suggested.

 

[Raymott]

Saying something and knowing it are two different things.
"Rolf Harris is said to be a paedophile" and "Rolf Harris is known to be a paedophile" are different statements. The first is certainly true (by some), while the second might not be.

 

[kite]

I got it now. Raymott's answer was more helpful and also others' too. I am sorry for using potentially offensive and unnecessary expletive words.


Just a simple question.
Am I right that I said "I am sorry for ....." or should I say "I am sorry about ....."?

 

[Rover_KE]

In that sentence, 'I am sorry for...' is correct.