It was predicted as early as the 1700s that English would one day be the global language and that has proved to be the case in the last decades.
(1) It was predicted that…
句型中it 是形式主语，that 从句是主语从句意为“有人预言说”英语中，在不便或不必指明某看法，说法或消息的来源时，往往使用“it is 过去分词 that -clause”句式结构。试从下面的例子中加以体会。
【思维拓展】It is said that…据说…… It is hoped that … 人们希望……
It is supposed that … 据推测…… It is well known that… 众所周知……
It is believed that… 人们相信……
【经典例句】It is reported that three people have been killed in the accident.
It is suggested that measures be taken to stop the pollution. 人们建议采取措施防止污染。
【思维拓展】It is 过去分词 that –clause= sb be said to do /to be doing /to have done
It is said that he will study abroad(=He is said to study abroad)
It is said that he is studying abroad. (=He is said to be studying abroad)
It is said that he studied abroad one year ago (=He is said to have studied abroad one year ago)
【小试牛刀】Tom is said __C_______ in Africa ,but no one knows how soon he will be back.
A travels B to travel C to be travelling D travelled
