Nouvelles et Rumeurs : Passif avec verbes de déclaration (Il est dit que...)
It is said that...est top pour rapporter des infos avec
formalité et objectivité en anglais. C'est comme une baguette magique pour un ton sérieux!
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use reporting passives to distance yourself from information, common in news and formal reports to avoid taking personal responsibility for claims.
- Use 'It + passive verb + that-clause' for general statements: 'It is said that he is rich.'
- Use 'Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive' for personal focus: 'He is said to be rich.'
- Use 'to have + past participle' for past actions: 'She is thought to have left.'
Overview
It is said that... (littéralement « Il est dit que... ») est un outil fondamental de ce que l'on appelle le passif impersonnel.It is said that... permet de créer une distance sémantique entre l'énonciateur (toi) et l'information.It is thought that the strategy might fail déplace le focus de ton opinion personnelle vers un sentiment collectif ou une analyse plus large.People say that... soit correct, il manque de cette patine professionnelle que recherche un étudiant C1.reporting verbs).dummy subject), le pronom it. Ce it ne représente rien de concret ; il sert de support grammatical pour lancer la phrase.People say that... | It is said that... |Everyone thinks that... | It is thought that... |They say that... | It appears that... / It is rumored that... |Someone reported that... | It was reported that... |believe, claim, expect, know, report, think, understand.It + to be (conjugué) + [Participe Passé du verbe de rapport] + that + [Proposition subordonnée]- 1Le Sujet
It: Il reste invariable. C'est le pilier de la phrase. - 2Le verbe
to be: C'est lui qui porte la marque du temps. Il doit s'accorder avec le moment où l'information est rapportée. - 3Le Participe Passé : Utilise des verbes de communication ou de pensée (
said,believed,alleged,rumored). - 4La conjonction
that: Indispensable au niveau C1 pour la clarté, même si elle est parfois omise à l'oral. - 5La proposition subordonnée : C'est l'information elle-même. Son temps ne change pas nécessairement par rapport à la pensée originale.
to be modifie la perspective :- Présent simple :
It is widely believed that...(C'est une croyance actuelle). - Passé simple :
It was reported that the CEO resigned.(L'information a été donnée dans le passé). - Present Perfect :
It has been suggested that we should postpone the meeting.(La suggestion a été faite récemment et est toujours d'actualité). - Futur :
It will be announced that the merger is complete.(L'annonce est prévue). - Modaux :
It might be argued that the results are biased.(On pourrait arguer que...).
It is claimed that the new AI can write poetry.(On prétend que...)It was estimated that over 10,000 people attended the rally.(On a estimé que...)It is understood that the negotiations are reaching a critical phase.(Il est entendu que... / On croit savoir que...)
It is generally accepted that education is the key to social mobility.It is alleged that... (Il est allégué que / On prétend que), tu te protèges car tu ne confirmes pas l'info, tu rapportes simplement qu'elle circule.It is rumored that the celebrity couple has split up.It has been observed that productivity increases with flexible working hours.It is expected that the Prime Minister will make a statement at noon.It is felt that the current approach is no longer sustainable. (On a le sentiment que... / Il semble que...)It says that the prices will rise.It says s'utilise pour un texte écrit spécifique (un panneau, un livre). Pour une rumeur ou une opinion, on DOIT utiliser le passif : It is said that....It is believe that... au lieu de It is believed that.... N'oublie jamais que c'est une forme passive. Le verbe de rapport doit être au participe passé.It was told me that. C'est incorrect. On dira soit I was told that... (passif personnel) soit It was said to me that... (plus rare).it ne peut pas être suivi de told dans cette structure impersonnelle car tell nécessite normalement un objet indirect humain.It's said he's rich. Mais à ton niveau C1, surtout à l'écrit, l'omission du that affaiblit la structure et peut créer une confusion visuelle dans la phrase. Garde le that pour marquer ton expertise.It is said that.... Il s'agit de la structure : Sujet + be + Participe Passé + to + Infinitif.It) | Structure Personnelle (Sujet Réel) |It is said that he is a genius. | He is said to be a genius. |It est plus facile à former car la clause qui suit (that he is a genius) reste une phrase normale. La structure personnelle (He is said to be...) demande une gymnastique mentale plus complexe car elle transforme le verbe de la subordonnée en infinitif.- Utilise
It is said that...quand l'information globale est plus importante que l'individu. - Utilise
He is said to...quand tu veux mettre l'accent sur le sujet de la phrase (très fréquent dans les portraits journalistiques ou les descriptions de produits).
reporting verbs). Tu ne peux pas dire It is eaten that... ou It is ran that.... Les plus fréquents sont : say, think, believe, report, claim, suggest, estimate, allege, know.It is claimed that et It is said that ?It is said that est neutre (on le dit). It is claimed that suggère que quelqu'un affirme quelque chose, mais qu'il n'y a pas encore de preuve. C'est souvent utilisé pour des affirmations audacieuses ou suspectes.It has been reported that... est très courant pour des nouvelles qui viennent de tomber et qui ont encore un impact maintenant. C'est le temps typique des bandeaux d'information sur les chaînes comme la BBC ou CNN.Formation of Reporting Passives
| Structure Type | Formula | Example (Present) | Example (Past Action) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Impersonal
|
It + is/was + V-ed + that...
|
It is said that he is rich.
|
It is said that he was rich.
|
|
Personal
|
Subj + is/was + V-ed + to + V
|
He is said to be rich.
|
He is said to have been rich.
|
|
Continuous
|
Subj + is + V-ed + to be + V-ing
|
He is said to be working.
|
He is said to have been working.
|
|
Passive Inf.
|
Subj + is + V-ed + to be + V-ed
|
He is said to be loved.
|
He is said to have been loved.
|
Meanings
A formal way to report what people say, think, or believe without mentioning the specific source of the information. It creates an objective, journalistic tone.
Impersonal Reporting
Using 'It' as a dummy subject to introduce a general belief or fact.
“It is reported that the CEO has resigned.”
“It was once thought that the Earth was flat.”
Personal Reporting
Focusing on the person or thing being talked about by making them the subject.
“The suspect is believed to be hiding in the woods.”
“She is said to be the best doctor in the city.”
Past Action Reporting
Reporting a past action using a perfect infinitive (to have + past participle).
“He is alleged to have stolen the documents.”
“The company is rumored to have gone bankrupt last month.”
Reference Table
| Fonction | Structure | Exemple | Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Croyance Générale
|
It is + V3 (say/believe) + that clause
|
It is said that practice makes perfect.
|
Généralement accepté, sans source précise.
|
|
Rapport Passé
|
It was + V3 (report/expect) + that clause
|
It was reported that the road was closed.
|
Événement spécifique rapporté au passé.
|
|
Affirmation Continue
|
It has been + V3 (claim/allege) + that clause
|
It has been claimed that the antique is fake.
|
Affirmation récente ou continue.
|
|
Nouvelles Formelles
|
It is + V3 (understand/know) + that clause
|
It is understood that a decision is imminent.
|
Info officielle ou largement acceptée.
|
|
Rumeur/Spéculation
|
It is + V3 (rumor/think) + that clause
|
It is rumored that the CEO will resign.
|
Info non officielle, souvent non vérifiée.
|
|
Attente Générale
|
It is + V3 (expect) + that clause
|
It is expected that prices will rise soon.
|
Résultat ou situation anticipée.
|
Spectre de formalité
It is rumored that a new model will be released in September. (Tech news)
A new model is expected to come out in September. (Tech news)
They say a new iPhone is coming in September. (Tech news)
Word is a new iPhone drops in Sept. (Tech news)
La voix passive avec les verbes de reportage : La structure "It is said that..."
Verbes clés (V3)
- said dire
- believed croire
- reported informer
- known savoir
Usages
- Formal News Nouvelles formelles
- Rumors Rumeurs
- General Beliefs Croyances générales
Structure
- It + be (tense) + V3 It + être (temps) + V3
- that + clause que + proposition
"It is said that..." vs. "People say that..."
Décider d'utiliser "It is said that..."
Veux-tu rapporter une information sans source spécifique ?
L'information est-elle une croyance générale, une rumeur ou un rapport formel ?
L'accent est-il mis sur l'information elle-même, et non sur qui l'a dite ?
Contextes pour "It is said that..."
Formel
- • Titres de presse
- • Articles universitaires
- • Rapports officiels
Informel
- • Propagation de rumeurs
- • Connaissances générales
- • Potins occasionnels
Objectif
- • Découvertes scientifiques
- • Faits historiques
- • Opinion publique
Évasif
- • Protection des sources
- • Éviter la responsabilité
- • Atténuation des affirmations
Exemples par niveau
People say he is nice.
Gente dice que él es amable.
They say it is cold there.
Dicen que hace frío allí.
My friends say she is a doctor.
Mis amigos dicen que ella es doctora.
Everyone says the food is good.
Todos dicen que la comida es buena.
It is said that he is a hero.
Se dice que él es un héroe.
It is known that water is healthy.
Se sabe que el agua es saludable.
It is thought that they are happy.
Se piensa que ellos son felices.
It is reported that the rain will stop.
Se informa que la lluvia parará.
He is said to be very rich.
Se dice que él es muy rico.
It is believed that the team will win.
Se cree que el equipo ganará.
The movie is thought to be excellent.
Se piensa que la película es excelente.
It was reported that the road was closed.
Se informó que la carretera estaba cerrada.
The company is expected to grow this year.
Se espera que la empresa crezca este año.
It is understood that the meeting is cancelled.
Se entiende que la reunión está cancelada.
She is rumored to have quit her job.
Se rumorea que ella ha dejado su trabajo.
The fossils are believed to be millions of years old.
Se cree que los fósiles tienen millones de años.
The diplomat is alleged to have accepted bribes.
Se alega que el diplomático aceptó sobornos.
It is widely considered that his theory is flawed.
Se considera ampliamente que su teoría tiene fallos.
The suspect is understood to be cooperating with police.
Se entiende que el sospechoso está cooperando con la policía.
The manuscript is thought to have been written in the 14th century.
Se piensa que el manuscrito fue escrito en el siglo XIV.
The Prime Minister is purported to be considering a reshuffle.
Se pretende que el Primer Ministro está considerando una remodelación.
It has long been asserted that economic growth is the only metric of success.
Se ha afirmado durante mucho tiempo que el crecimiento económico es la única métrica del éxito.
The artifact was previously reputed to possess magical properties.
Anteriormente se tenía la reputación de que el artefacto poseía propiedades mágicas.
The virus is now known to have been circulating months before the first official case.
Ahora se sabe que el virus había estado circulando meses antes del primer caso oficial.
Facile à confondre
Learners use 'People say' in formal essays where 'It is said' is required.
Mixing the 'that' clause with the 'to' infinitive.
Using 'to be' for something that happened in the past.
Erreurs courantes
People is said he is rich.
People say he is rich.
It says that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
He is said that he is rich.
He is said to be rich.
He is believed to steal the money yesterday.
He is believed to have stolen the money yesterday.
Structures de phrases
It is ___ that ___.
The suspect is ___ to have ___.
___ is widely considered to be ___.
It was once ___ that ___.
Real World Usage
It is reported that the ceasefire has been broken.
The results are thought to be significant.
She is rumored to be getting a promotion.
The suspect is alleged to have used a stolen vehicle.
The city is believed to have been founded in 500 BC.
It is said that the servers are down again.
Varie tes verbes
It is alleged that he committed fraud.est plus fort que 'said'.
Ne confonds pas 'It' avec le sujet
It is said that...utilise un 'it' factice. C'est différent de la structure
He is said to be..., où 'He' est la personne dont on parle. Ils sont liés, mais distincts !
It is said that the weather will be sunny.vs
He is said to be very clever.
Pour une distance formelle
It is understood that the negotiations are ongoing.
La politesse des rumeurs
It is said that...peut être une façon polie de lancer une rumeur ou une info délicate sans passer pour la source. Ça te permet de partager sans prendre toute la responsabilité, surtout au bureau ou pour des potins.
It is rumored that the boss is retiring next year.
Fais attention aux temps
It is said that...indique quand le rapportage a eu lieu. Fais gaffe si la croyance est actuelle, passée ou continue.
It was said that he lived alone.(Passé) vs
It is said that he lives alone.(Présent).
Smart Tips
Switch your 'People say' to 'It is reported that'. It immediately elevates your register.
Always check if you need 'to have'. If the event is over, 'to have' is your best friend.
Try to rewrite it using the subject of the 'that' clause to practice the personal construction.
Use 'widely' or 'generally' to sound even more native-like.
Prononciation
Weak 'to'
In the personal construction, the word 'to' is usually reduced to a schwa /tə/.
Stress on the Reporting Verb
The main stress usually falls on the reporting verb (said, thought, believed) to emphasize the nature of the report.
Falling intonation for facts
It is reported that the king is ↘ dead.
Conveys a serious, final piece of news.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Remember 'It' is for the whole 'that' clause, but 'He' needs a 'to' to reach the verb.
Association visuelle
Imagine a news anchor sitting behind a desk. They aren't saying 'I think', they are pointing to a screen that says 'IT IS REPORTED'. The anchor is a shield between you and the raw rumor.
Rhyme
When rumors fly and news is spread, 'It is said' is what is read.
Story
A detective is investigating a crime. He doesn't have proof yet, so he tells his boss, 'The suspect is believed to have fled.' This way, if the suspect is actually still in town, the detective isn't blamed for a false statement—he was just reporting a belief.
Word Web
Défi
Write three sentences about a famous celebrity using 'is rumored to', 'is thought to have', and 'it is said that'.
Notes culturelles
The BBC uses 'It is understood that...' very frequently when they have a reliable source but cannot name them yet.
Using 'It is thought' or 'It has been suggested' is a form of 'hedging'. It makes the writer sound humble and open to other scientific possibilities.
The word 'alleged' is legally required in news reports before a conviction to avoid 'libel' (being sued for lying).
These structures evolved from Latin impersonal passives (e.g., 'dicitur' meaning 'it is said').
Amorces de conversation
What is something that is said to be true about your country, but isn't?
Which celebrity is rumored to be the most difficult to work with?
It is often thought that technology makes us lonely. Do you agree?
Is there a place in your city that is said to be haunted?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
It ___ that the new policy will improve efficiency.
Choisis la phrase correcte :
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesHe is thought ___ (be) the mastermind behind the robbery.
Find and fix the mistake:
It is believed him to have left the country.
People say that the company is losing money. (The company...)
The building is thought ___ in the fire.
You can use the verb 'want' in the 'It is wanted that...' reporting passive structure.
A: Is the new boss nice? B: Well, she ___ very strict.
1. People think he is a spy. 2. People think he was a spy.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesIt ___ that the ancient city holds many undiscovered secrets.
It reported that the meeting was postponed.
Quelle phrase est correcte ?
Traduis en anglais : 'Se dice que la lectura amplía la mente.'
Arrange ces mots dans une phrase :
Associe le sujet à sa bonne continuation :
It is ___ that the company will announce a merger soon.
It is said that dinosaurs was extinct millions of years ago.
Sélectionne la phrase appropriée :
Traduis : 'Está ampliamente aceptado que el café es adictivo.'
Arrange ces mots dans une phrase :
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
No, only 'reporting verbs' related to thinking (believe, think, consider), saying (say, report, allege), or knowing (know, understand). You can't use verbs like 'eat' or 'run'.
Yes, but 'It is said that' is much more formal and common in writing, while 'They say' is common in spoken English.
Use it when the action you are reporting happened *before* the reporting. For example: 'He is said (now) to have been (past) a soldier.'
To avoid legal trouble. If they say 'He is a thief' before a trial, they can be sued. If they say 'He is the alleged thief', they are just reporting what the police say.
Yes. 'He is not thought to be dangerous' or 'It is not believed that the plan will work.'
Absolutely. It is standard in all varieties of formal English, including American, British, and Australian.
'Thought' is a general belief, while 'considered' often implies a more deliberate opinion or a widely held social view.
Yes, for continuous actions. 'The fugitive is thought to be hiding in the mountains.'
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que...
Spanish lacks the 'Subject + Passive + To-Infinitive' structure.
On dit que...
French prefers active voice with an indefinite subject ('on').
Er soll... sein
German uses a modal verb ('sollen') instead of a passive reporting verb.
...to iwarete iru (〜と言われている)
Japanese word order is reversed, with the rumor coming before the verb.
Yuqal anna... (يُقال أن)
Arabic almost always uses the impersonal 'It' structure, rarely the personal one.
Jushuo... (据说)
Chinese uses a fixed phrase rather than a conjugated passive verb.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Vidéos associées
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