Ordres et Requêtes Rapportés: Dire aux autres quoi faire
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Turn direct orders into polite reports by using a reporting verb, an object, and a 'to-infinitive'.
- Use 'tell' for commands and 'ask' for requests: 'He told me to wait.'
- Always include the person being spoken to (the object): 'She asked HIM to help.'
- For negative commands, put 'not' before 'to': 'The doctor told me NOT to smoke.'
Overview
He told me to do this. La structure est identique en surface (verbe + complément + infinitif), mais les pièges sont nombreux, notamment dans le choix du verbe introducteur (reporting verb) et la gestion des négations.to-infinitive). En français, nous utilisons la préposition « de » suivie de l'infinitif après des verbes comme « dire » ou « demander ». L'anglais utilise la particule to.Reporting Verb + Object + to + base verb.ordered, instructed, urged, advised, begged). Le choix de ce verbe est crucial pour refléter l'intensité de l'ordre initial.ordered implique une hiérarchie stricte, alors que advised suggère une recommandation.to + base verb reste inchangée.backshift).- Direct:
“Clean your room!” - Indirect:
“She told him to clean his room.”
him) est obligatoire. En français, on peut dire « Elle a dit de nettoyer la chambre » (sans préciser qui), mais en anglais, dire *She told to clean the room est une erreur fondamentale. L'anglais exige que le destinataire de l'ordre soit explicite.The boss |instructed |the staff |to |start |Tell | Neutre / Direct | He told me to wait. |Ask | Demande polie | She asked me to help. |Warn | Mise en garde | They warned us not to go. |Urge | Incitation forte | He urged her to reconsider. |not juste avant la particule to.“Don't touch that!” devient “He told me not to touch that.”“The project manager requested us to submit our reports by noon.” Cela montre votre capacité à hiérarchiser l'information.asked me to adoucit la perception de l'ordre original. C'est une stratégie de politesse typiquement britannique ou américaine : on dépersonnalise l'ordre en le transformant en une action rapportée.“The king ordered the soldiers to retreat” est beaucoup plus élégant que d'ouvrir des guillemets pour une citation directe au milieu d'un paragraphe. Cela permet au narrateur de garder le contrôle sur le rythme de l'histoire.- 1L'omission de l'objet (Interférence du français) : Les francophones ont tendance à calquer la structure « Il a dit de... » en écrivant
*He said to go. En anglais,sayne fonctionne pas ainsi dans ce contexte. Il faut utilisertell+object+toouask+object+to. L'erreur vient du fait qu'en français, le complément est optionnel, alors qu'il est obligatoire en anglais.
- 1La mauvaise position de la négation : Beaucoup d'apprenants écrivent
*He told me to not go. Bien que cela se comprenne, la norme académique et professionnelle exigeHe told me not to go. L'interférence vient du français où « ne pas » est inséparable. En anglais, la particuletodoit rester collée au verbe.
- 1Confusion entre
suggestettell: En français, on peut dire « Il a suggéré de faire... » ou « Il a dit de faire... ». Les apprenants essaient souvent*He suggested me to do it. C'est une erreur classique carsuggestne prend pas d'objet direct suivi d'un infinitif. Il faut direHe suggested that I do it(subjunctive) ouHe suggested doing it. C'est un piège majeur pour les niveaux C1.
Verb + Object + to-infinitive | He told her to leave. |Verb + (that) + clause | He said that she left. |that après un verbe de commande (ex: *He ordered that she to leave), la phrase devient grammaticalement incorrecte. Pour les niveaux avancés, il faut savoir jongler entre ces deux structures sans hésitation.say au lieu de tell pour rapporter un ordre ?Say ne peut pas être suivi d'un objet et d'un infinitif. On ne dit pas *He said me to go. On utilise tell pour les ordres, ask pour les demandes, et say uniquement pour rapporter des déclarations (He said that he was going).suggest est-il si difficile à utiliser ?suggest ne fonctionne pas comme un verbe de commande. Il ne permet pas l'infinitif. C'est une erreur de niveau C1 très courante. Il faut mémoriser que suggest demande soit une proposition avec that (suivie du subjonctif), soit un gérondif (-ing).command et order ?Order est le terme standard dans le milieu professionnel ou médical. Command est beaucoup plus formel, souvent lié à l'autorité militaire ou à une autorité très imposante (ex: un roi, un capitaine). Dans la vie quotidienne, utilisez tell ou ask.Structure of Reported Commands
| Subject | Reporting Verb | Object | Infinitive (to + verb) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The teacher
|
told
|
the students
|
to open their books.
|
|
My friend
|
asked
|
me
|
to help him.
|
|
The boss
|
ordered
|
us
|
to finish the project.
|
|
She
|
warned
|
him
|
not to touch the wire.
|
|
I
|
begged
|
her
|
to stay.
|
|
The sign
|
instructs
|
visitors
|
to wait here.
|
Meanings
The grammatical structure used to relay instructions, orders, or requests made by someone else without using their exact words.
Direct Commands
Reporting a firm order or instruction where the speaker has authority.
“The officer ordered the suspect to put his hands up.”
“My boss told me to attend the meeting.”
Polite Requests
Reporting a request where the speaker is asking for a favor or cooperation.
“She asked the waiter to bring some water.”
“He requested the guests to remain seated.”
Urgent Advice or Warnings
Reporting a directive that functions as a warning or strong suggestion.
“The lifeguard warned us not to swim near the rocks.”
“The manual advises users to unplug the device before cleaning.”
Reference Table
| Commande Directe | Verbe Introducteur | Commande Rapportée (Positive) | Commande Rapportée (Négative) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
"Call me later!"
|
tell
|
She told me to call her later.
|
She told me not to call her later.
|
|
"Please help me."
|
ask
|
He asked me to help him.
|
He asked me not to bother him.
|
|
"Stop right there!"
|
order
|
The officer ordered them to stop.
|
The officer ordered them not to move.
|
|
"Study harder."
|
advise
|
My teacher advised me to study harder.
|
My teacher advised me not to procrastinate.
|
|
"Don't touch that."
|
warn
|
They warned us not to touch that.
|
They warned us not to go near the edge.
|
|
"Send the report."
|
request
|
The manager requested him to send the report.
|
The manager requested him not to delay the report.
|
Spectre de formalité
The chairperson requested that the observers vacate the chamber. (Evicting people from a space)
He asked everyone to leave the room. (Evicting people from a space)
He told us to get out. (Evicting people from a space)
He was like, 'Yo, clear out.' (Evicting people from a space)
Cartographie Conceptuelle : Commandes & Requêtes Rapportées
Structure de Base
- Sujet Qui rapporte
- Verbe Introducteur tell, ask, order...
- Objet Personne interpellée
- (not) to + Verbe de Base La commande/requête
Verbes Clés
- tell Instruction neutre
- ask Requête polie
- order Commande forte
- advise Recommandation
- warn Mise en garde
Quand Utiliser
- Politesse Adoucir les ordres directs
- Transmettre Info Partager des instructions
- Contextes Formels Communication pro
- Éviter la Directivité Moins conflictuel
Commandes Rapportées vs. Déclarations Rapportées
Rapporter une Commande/Requête : Un Guide Rapide
Est-ce une commande ou requête directe (impérative) ?
As-tu un 'objet' explicite (personne interpellée) pour le verbe introducteur ?
La commande originale est-elle positive ou négative ?
As-tu utilisé la forme de base du verbe après 'to' ?
Boîte à Outils des Verbes Introducteurs
Instructions Neutres
- • tell me to...
- • remind them to...
- • instruct her to...
Requêtes/Conseils
- • ask him to...
- • advise us to...
- • encourage me to...
Commandes Fortes/Avertissements
- • order them to...
- • warn us not to...
- • forbid her to...
Persuasion/Urgence
- • urge them to...
- • beg me to...
- • implore him to...
Exemples par niveau
He told me to go.
He told me to go.
She asked me to help.
She asked me to help.
The teacher told us to listen.
The teacher told us to listen.
Mom told me to eat.
Mom told me to eat.
The doctor told him not to smoke.
The doctor told him not to smoke.
I asked her to open the window.
I asked her to open the window.
He told them to be quiet.
He told them to be quiet.
She asked me not to tell anyone.
She asked me not to tell anyone.
The police officer ordered the driver to stop.
The police officer ordered the driver to stop.
My boss warned me not to be late again.
My boss warned me not to be late again.
They begged us to stay for dinner.
They begged us to stay for dinner.
The sign instructed visitors to keep off the grass.
The sign instructed visitors to keep off the grass.
The coach encouraged the players to keep trying.
The coach encouraged the players to keep trying.
She forbade her children to watch that movie.
She forbade her children to watch that movie.
The guide urged the tourists to stay together.
The guide urged the tourists to stay together.
He reminded me to bring my passport.
He reminded me to bring my passport.
The diplomat implored the nations to seek a peaceful resolution.
The diplomat implored the nations to seek a peaceful resolution.
The court summoned the defendant to appear on Tuesday.
The court summoned the defendant to appear on Tuesday.
The board petitioned the CEO to reconsider the layoffs.
The board petitioned the CEO to reconsider the layoffs.
The general commanded the troops to retreat immediately.
The general commanded the troops to retreat immediately.
The priest adjured the witness to tell the absolute truth.
The priest adjured the witness to tell the absolute truth.
The treaty enjoined the signatories to uphold human rights.
The treaty enjoined the signatories to uphold human rights.
She was to be instructed to vacate the premises by dawn.
She was to be instructed to vacate the premises by dawn.
The king decreed his subjects to pay a new tax.
The king decreed his subjects to pay a new tax.
Facile à confondre
Learners often use 'say' with an object and infinitive, which is incorrect.
Learners try to use 'suggest' with an object + infinitive.
Confusing the verb 'advise' with the noun 'advice' in reported speech.
Erreurs courantes
He told to me go.
He told me to go.
She said me to wait.
She told me to wait.
He told me go.
He told me to go.
I asked him for help me.
I asked him to help me.
He told me to not smoke.
He told me not to smoke.
The teacher told that we sit down.
The teacher told us to sit down.
She asked to me to help.
She asked me to help.
He suggested me to go.
He suggested that I go.
They ordered to the soldiers to fire.
They ordered the soldiers to fire.
He demanded me to leave.
He demanded that I leave.
The law forbids to smoke here.
The law forbids smoking here / forbids people to smoke here.
Structures de phrases
My boss ___ me to ___.
The doctor ___ him not to ___.
The authorities ___ the public to ___.
Real World Usage
Sarah told me to tell you to bring the snacks.
My previous supervisor encouraged me to take the lead on the project.
The specialist advised me not to lift anything heavy for a week.
The crew requested all passengers to fasten their seatbelts.
The officer ordered the driver to step out of the vehicle.
And then she literally asked me to delete the photo!
Choisis bien ton verbe introducteur
The reporting verb carries significant meaning.
N'oublie pas l'objet !
Parfait pour un feedback indirect
It softens the message and makes you sound diplomatic.
La politesse en anglais
Direct commands can be perceived as impolite.
Maîtrise les commandes négatives
Smart Tips
Default to 'tell' for orders and 'ask' for requests. They are never wrong in neutral contexts.
Think of 'not to' as a single unit that cannot be separated.
Never use 'suggested me to'. Use 'suggested that I' or 'suggested -ing'.
Use 'instruct' or 'direct' to sound professional in emails.
Prononciation
Stress on the Reporting Verb
The reporting verb (told, asked, warned) usually carries the most stress to emphasize the intent.
Reduction of 'to'
In natural speech, 'to' is often reduced to a schwa /tə/.
Falling intonation on the command
He told me to ↘wait.
Conveys the finality of the instruction.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Remember 'T.O.T': Tell + Object + To. It's the 'tot'al way to report a command!
Association visuelle
Imagine a puppet master (the speaker) pulling strings (the reporting verb) to make a puppet (the object) perform an action (the to-infinitive).
Rhyme
When they say 'Go!', you say 'He told me to go.' / When they say 'No!', you say 'He told me not to go.'
Story
A king (Subject) gave a scroll (Reporting Verb) to a messenger (Object) with a map (to-infinitive) showing where to go. The messenger told the villagers to follow the map.
Word Web
Défi
Look at three signs in your neighborhood (e.g., 'No Parking', 'Push', 'Wait here') and report them out loud using different verbs.
Notes culturelles
British speakers often use 'shall' or 'should' in reported directives to sound more polite or formal, e.g., 'He said that I should wait.'
American English frequently uses the mandative subjunctive for formal commands, especially with 'insist' or 'demand'.
In modern tech companies, direct commands are often reported as 'suggestions' or 'asks' to sound less hierarchical.
The use of the infinitive to report commands dates back to Old English, where the infinitive was used to express purpose or result after verbs of bidding or commanding.
Amorces de conversation
What did your parents always tell you to do when you were a kid?
If you were a king or queen for a day, what would you order your subjects to do?
Tell me about a time a boss or teacher urged you to do something difficult.
What have the authorities recently instructed citizens to do regarding the environment?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
The coach advised the players ___ warm up before the game.
Find and fix the mistake:
My mom told don't stay out late.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesShe warned me ___ ___ ___ the stove.
Choose the best option:
Find and fix the mistake:
The boss suggested me to work late.
He told me...
1. 'Get out!' 2. 'Could you help?' 3. 'Don't go there, it's dangerous.'
A: What did the doctor say? B: He ___ me ___ more water.
Sort the verbs:
not / the / to / told / teacher / us / talk
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesThe librarian ___ me to keep quiet in the reading room.
The teacher told students to studying harder for the final.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'El jefe me dijo que enviara el email.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the direct commands with the start of their reported forms:
The sign ___ drivers ___ (slow) down.
Which of these sentences contains a grammatical error?
Choose the most polite option:
Translate into English: 'Nos aconsejó que no bebiéramos el agua.'
Rearrange the words to make a meaningful sentence:
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
Not directly with an infinitive. You can't say `He said me to go`. You must use `tell` or use a 'that' clause with `say`, like `He said that I should go`.
It's a 'split infinitive'. While common in casual English, it's technically better to say `not to go` in formal writing and exams.
Yes, for verbs like `tell`, `ask`, `order`, and `warn`, the person being spoken to must be mentioned.
`Ask` is neutral and common. `Request` is formal and often used in business or official contexts.
Use a plural object like `them` or `us`. Example: `The coach told them to run`.
Yes. `She forbade him to leave`. Note that `forbid` is quite formal and the past tense is `forbade`.
You can use a general object like `people` or `everyone`, or use a passive structure: `Visitors are instructed to wait`.
Yes. If you are reporting a past command, use `told`. If you are reporting a general rule, you can use `tells` or `instructs`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
decir que + subjunctive
English uses an infinitive; Spanish uses the subjunctive.
dire de + infinitive
French requires the preposition 'de' before the infinitive.
sagen + zu + infinitive
German places the infinitive at the very end of the sentence.
youni iu
Japanese uses a completely different particle-based structure.
amara bi + infinitive / an + subjunctive
Arabic often requires a specific preposition depending on the reporting verb.
rang / jiao
Chinese has no 'to' particle and no tense changes.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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