Rapporter les dires des gens (Concordance des temps)
Reported Speech super fluide et naturel à l'oreille. Tu vas briller !
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
When reporting past speech, move the verb one step into the past to show the time gap.
- Move present tenses to past tenses: 'I am' becomes 'He said he was'.
- Change pronouns to match the new speaker: 'I like' becomes 'She said she liked'.
- Shift time words: 'today' becomes 'that day' and 'here' becomes 'there'.
Overview
reported speech ou indirect speech, est une pierre angulaire de la communication. En français, nous utilisons le « discours indirect » pour rapporter des propos, mais le fonctionnement grammatical est nettement différent. En français, nous avons tendance à conserver les temps verbaux tels qu'ils étaient dans la phrase originale, ou à les adapter selon une logique de concordance des temps assez intuitive.tense backshift (décalage des temps vers le passé).tense backshift est une règle de structure rigide. Si le verbe introducteur (le reporting verb comme said, told, asked) est au passé, alors tout ce qui suit dans la proposition subordonnée doit, par effet de domino, reculer d'un cran dans le passé.tense backshift repose sur une logique de perspective. Imagine une ligne du temps. Au moment où la personne a parlé, elle utilisait ses propres temps (souvent le présent).said (passé), tu DOIS utiliser was (passé).He said he is tired est une erreur courante chez les francophones car cela suggère que la personne est *toujours* fatiguée en ce moment même, ce qui crée une confusion sur le timing.tense backshift transforme le present simple en past simple, le present continuous en past continuous, et le present perfect en past perfect. C'est une mécanique automatique. Si le verbe original est déjà au passé, on recule encore plus loin dans le passé avec le past perfect.said, told, asked).Present Simple | Past Simple | I live in Paris. | He said he lived in Paris.Present Continuous | Past Continuous | I am working. | She said she was working.Present Perfect | Past Perfect | I have seen him. | He said he had seen him.Past Simple | Past Perfect | I bought a car. | She said she had bought a car.will | would | I will help. | He said he would help.can | could | I can dance. | She said she could dance.Subject + reporting verb + (that) + reported clause. Note que le that est souvent omis dans le langage courant, ce qui rend la phrase plus fluide, comme dans « He said he lived in Paris ».tense backshift dans presque toutes les situations de narration. Imagine que tu es au travail et que tu dois rapporter les instructions de ton chef à un collègue. Si ton chef a dit « The deadline is Friday », tu diras à ton collègue « The manager said the deadline was Friday ».didn't like his job ». Si tu dis « He said he doesn't like his job », tu changes le sens : tu suggères que c'est une vérité universelle et actuelle.backshift te protège et précise que tu ne fais que transmettre ses paroles passées. Enfin, pour les examens ou les rapports académiques, le backshift est obligatoire pour respecter les règles de style formel. C'est le signe distinctif d'un niveau B1 solide qui maîtrise la concordance des temps.- 1L'oubli du décalage (Interférence du français) : Les francophones ont tendance à garder le temps original (« Il a dit qu'il est... »). En anglais, cela sonne comme une erreur de grammaire. Pourquoi ? Parce que le français permet cette souplesse, alors que l'anglais impose le
backshiftpour marquer la distance temporelle.
- 1Confondre
saidettold: On dit « Hesaidthat... » mais « Hetoldme that... ». Les francophones oublient souvent le complément aprèstold. C'est une erreur classique de structure qui ne vient pas du français directement, mais d'une mauvaise mémorisation de la valence du verbe.
- 1Le mauvais usage du
past perfect: Beaucoup d'apprenants pensent que lepast perfectest trop formel et le remplacent par lepast simple. Si quelqu'un dit « I finished the project », le rapporter par « He said he finished the project » est techniquement possible mais moins précis que « He said hehad finishedthe project », car lehad finishedinsiste sur l'antériorité par rapport au moment où il a parlé.
reported speech avec le direct speech ou les faits généraux.General Truths | Pas de backshift | The teacher said the Earth is round.Recent Reporting | Pas de backshift | He says he is coming now.Reported Speech | Backshift obligatoire | He said he was coming.says), tu ne touches à rien ! C'est la seule exception majeure.must ?Must devient souvent had to au passé. Par exemple, « I must go » devient « He said he had to go ». C'est une transformation très courante.tell nécessite un objet (la personne à qui on parle), alors que say se concentre sur le message. On ne dit jamais say me.Tense Backshift Mapping
| Direct Speech Tense | Reported Speech Tense | Direct Example | Reported Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
Past Simple
|
I work
|
He said he worked
|
|
Present Continuous
|
Past Continuous
|
I am working
|
He said he was working
|
|
Past Simple
|
Past Perfect
|
I worked
|
He said he had worked
|
|
Present Perfect
|
Past Perfect
|
I have worked
|
He said he had worked
|
|
Will
|
Would
|
I will work
|
He said he would work
|
|
Can
|
Could
|
I can work
|
He said he could work
|
|
Am/Is/Are going to
|
Was/Were going to
|
I am going to work
|
He said he was going to work
|
Common Contractions in Reported Speech
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
He said he had
|
He said he'd
|
He said he'd finished.
|
|
She said she would
|
She said she'd
|
She said she'd help.
|
|
They said they were
|
They said they're (rare)
|
Usually kept as 'they were'.
|
Meanings
Reported speech is used to communicate what someone else said without using their exact words. We usually change the tense of the original verb to a past form because the speaking event happened in the past.
Reporting Statements
Relaying factual information or opinions shared by others using reporting verbs like 'say' or 'tell'.
“She said that she had already finished the report.”
“They told us they were planning a surprise party.”
Reporting Questions
Relaying questions using 'ask', 'wonder', or 'want to know', often using 'if' or 'whether' for yes/no questions.
“He asked if I knew the way to the station.”
“She wondered where I had bought my shoes.”
Reporting Commands and Requests
Using an infinitive structure (to + verb) to report what someone told or asked someone to do.
“The doctor told me to drink more water.”
“She asked him not to smoke in the house.”
Reference Table
| Temps du Discours Direct | Temps du Discours Rapporté | Exemple (Direct) | Exemple (Rapporté) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
Past Simple
|
I *like* pizza.
|
She said `she liked` pizza.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
Past Continuous
|
I *am working*.
|
He said `he was working`.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
Past Perfect
|
I *have finished*.
|
They said `they had finished`.
|
|
Past Simple
|
Past Perfect
|
I *went* home.
|
He explained `he had gone` home.
|
|
Past Continuous
|
Past Perfect Continuous
|
I *was reading*.
|
She mentioned `she had been reading`.
|
|
Will
|
Would
|
I *will help*.
|
He promised `he would help`.
|
|
Can
|
Could
|
I *can swim*.
|
She said `she could swim`.
|
|
May
|
Might
|
It *may rain*.
|
They thought `it might rain`.
|
|
Must (obligation)
|
Had to
|
I *must go*.
|
He stated `he had to go`.
|
Spectre de formalité
The employee stated that the assignment had been completed. (Workplace)
He said that he had finished the work. (Workplace)
He said he was done. (Workplace)
He was like, 'I'm finished.' (Workplace)
Idée principale du discours indirect
Verbe de Rapport (Passé)
- said a dit
- told a raconté
- asked a demandé
Décalage des Temps
- Present -> Past Présent -> Passé
- Past -> Past Perfect Passé -> Plus-que-parfait
Exceptions
- Timeless Truths Vérités intemporelles
- Present Reporting Rapport au présent
Changements de temps : Direct vs Rapporté
Dois-je décaler les temps ?
Le verbe de rapport est-il au passé (ex: 'said', 'told') ?
La phrase originale est-elle une vérité intemporelle ou quelque chose de toujours vrai maintenant ?
Temps qui décalent
Formes simples
- • Present Simple -> Past Simple
- • Past Simple -> Past Perfect
Formes continues
- • Present Continuous -> Past Continuous
- • Past Continuous -> Past Perfect Continuous
Formes parfaites
- • Present Perfect -> Past Perfect
Modaux
- • Will -> Would
- • Can -> Could
- • May -> Might
- • Must -> Had to
Exemples par niveau
He said, 'I am a student.'
He said he is a student.
She said, 'I like apples.'
She said she likes apples.
They said, 'We are cold.'
They said they are cold.
I said, 'I am hungry.'
I said I was hungry.
He said he liked the movie.
He said he liked the movie.
She told me she was busy.
She told me she was busy.
They said they lived in London.
They said they lived in London.
He asked if I wanted coffee.
He asked if I wanted coffee.
She said she had already seen that film.
She said she had already seen that film.
He asked where I had been the day before.
He asked where I had been the day before.
They told us they would arrive at 8 PM.
They told us they would arrive at 8 PM.
The boss asked if I could finish the report.
The boss asked if I could finish the report.
He admitted that he had made a mistake.
He admitted that he had made a mistake.
She suggested going to the park.
She suggested going to the park.
It was reported that the company was closing.
It was reported that the company was closing.
He asked what I would have done in his position.
He asked what I would have done in his position.
The witness alleged that the suspect had been fleeing the scene.
The witness alleged that the suspect had been fleeing the scene.
She questioned whether the results were truly representative.
She questioned whether the results were truly representative.
He conceded that the project had been more difficult than anticipated.
He conceded that the project had been more difficult than anticipated.
The article contended that the policy was fundamentally flawed.
The article contended that the policy was fundamentally flawed.
The philosopher postulated that existence preceded essence.
The philosopher postulated that existence preceded essence.
He recounted how he had been wandering the streets for hours.
He recounted how he had been wandering the streets for hours.
The diplomat underscored that a resolution must be reached immediately.
The diplomat underscored that a resolution must be reached immediately.
She lamented that the golden age of cinema had long since passed.
She lamented that the golden age of cinema had long since passed.
Facile à confondre
Learners often use 'say' with a person or 'tell' without one.
Learners keep the question word order (Verb-Subject) instead of switching to statement order (Subject-Verb).
Learners aren't sure if they *must* backshift if the fact is still true.
Erreurs courantes
He said I am happy.
He said he was happy.
She said me she is tired.
She told me she was tired.
He said that he like pizza.
He said that he liked pizza.
They said they are here.
They said they were there.
He asked me where was the bank.
He asked me where the bank was.
She asked if I have seen the movie.
She asked if I had seen the movie.
He told to me to go.
He told me to go.
He said he will come tomorrow.
He said he would come the next day.
She asked me what did I do.
She asked me what I had done.
He said he had went there.
He said he had gone there.
He suggested me to go.
He suggested that I should go / He suggested going.
Structures de phrases
He said that he ___ (past verb) ___.
She asked me if I ___ (past verb) ___.
They told us not to ___ (verb) ___.
It is widely believed that ___ (subject + verb) ___.
Real World Usage
He said the deadline had been moved to Friday.
She said she's gonna be late.
The police reported that the road was closed.
Did you hear? He said he was quitting!
Smith (2020) argued that the data was inconclusive.
The witness claimed she had never seen the man before.
Pense 'Un pas en arrière'
Present becomes past, past becomes past perfect.
Ne force pas le décalage !
If the original statement is still true, you can often keep the original tense.
Entraîne-toi avec ta journée
My friend told me she was going to the gym. Cette pratique avec ta vraie vie, ça rentre bien.Flexibilité informelle
However, for clear, formal, or written English, always backshift.
Smart Tips
Immediately think: 'No do/does/did' and 'Switch the order'.
Change 'will' to 'would' every single time.
Check if there is a person (me, you, her) after the verb. Person = Tell. No person = Say.
Shift the time! 'Yesterday' -> 'the day before', 'Tomorrow' -> 'the next day'.
Prononciation
The 'that' reduction
In reported speech, the word 'that' is often unstressed and pronounced as a schwa /ðət/.
Intonation in reported questions
Unlike direct questions, reported questions have a falling intonation at the end because they are statements.
Reporting Statement
She said she was ↘ hungry.
Conveys a completed piece of information.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
The 'Backstep' Rule: If the reporting verb is in the past, the message takes a step back in time.
Association visuelle
Imagine a timeline. When you report someone's words, you physically pick up the verb and move it one square to the left (the past).
Rhyme
When 'said' is the word you use, the present tense you're bound to lose.
Story
A spy overhears a secret: 'I am meeting the contact tomorrow.' He runs to his boss and reports: 'He said he was meeting the contact the next day.' The spy must change the time and tense so the boss doesn't go to the wrong place at the wrong time.
Word Web
Défi
Look at your last 3 text messages. Rewrite them as if you were telling a friend what those people said using 'He/She said that...'.
Notes culturelles
In the UK, 'shall' in direct speech ('Shall we go?') often shifts to 'should' in reported speech ('He asked if we should go').
Americans frequently use 'like' as a reporting verb in very informal speech ('He was like, "No way!"'). This is common among younger generations.
Journalists use 'allegedly' or reporting verbs like 'claimed' to avoid legal trouble when reporting something that isn't proven yet.
Reported speech structures have existed since Old English, though the strict 'backshift' rules became more formalized as the English tense system became more complex during the Middle English period.
Amorces de conversation
What did your boss or teacher tell you to do yesterday?
Tell me about a secret someone told you recently (without names!).
What is the most interesting thing you heard on the news today?
If you could report a conversation between two famous people, who would they be?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
She said she ___ busy yesterday.
I am busy. Le présent simple 'am' devient le passé simple 'was'.Find and fix the mistake:
He told me he `go` to the concert.
I go to the concert. Le présent simple 'go' devient le passé simple 'went' quand tu rapportes au passé.Choisis la phrase correcte :
The meeting is postponed. Le présent simple devient le passé simple.Traduis en anglais : 'Ella dijo que había terminado su tarea.'
Answer starts with: ["S...
I have finished my homework(présent parfait) devient le plus-que-parfait
she had finished her homeworkquand tu la rapportes au passé.
Score: /4
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesDirect: 'I am living in London.'
Direct: 'I have lost my keys.' -> She said she ___ her keys.
Find and fix the mistake:
He asked me where did I live.
Direct: 'I will call you tomorrow.'
1. 'I can swim' 2. 'I am swimming' 3. 'I swam'
She told that she was coming.
A: 'Are you coming?' B: 'What did he ask?' C: 'He asked ___.'
Select the correct one.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesThey explained that they ___ to Paris last year.
He swore he `will` keep my secret.
Choisis la phrase correcte :
Traduis en anglais : 'Él preguntó dónde vivía yo.'
Arrange ces mots pour former une phrase :
Associe les temps :
The coach emphasized that they ___ to practice harder.
She informed me that her brother `can` speak French.
Choisis la phrase correcte :
Traduis en anglais : 'Ella dijo: "Puedo ayudarte".'
Arrange ces mots pour former une phrase :
Associe les modaux :
I heard she ___ sick last week.
Score: /13
FAQ (8)
Not always. If the statement is still true (e.g., 'The capital of France is Paris'), you can keep it in the present. However, backshifting is always correct and safer in exams.
'Must' usually changes to 'had to' in reported speech. For example, 'I must go' becomes 'He said he had to go'.
Only if you use 'to'. You can say 'He said to me that...', but it is much more common to say 'He told me that...'.
Use the question word, then the subject, then the verb. 'Where is he?' becomes 'She asked where he was'.
'This' usually becomes 'that', and 'these' becomes 'those'. For example, 'I like this book' becomes 'He said he liked that book'.
No, it is optional. 'He said he was tired' and 'He said that he was tired' are both correct, but the version without 'that' is more common in speaking.
If the reporting verb is in the present, you do NOT backshift. 'He says he is hungry' stays in the present.
Use 'tell' + person + 'to' + verb. 'Sit down!' becomes 'He told me to sit down'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Estilo indirecto
Spanish often uses the subjunctive mood for reported commands, whereas English uses the infinitive.
Le discours indirect
French tense harmony is often stricter in formal writing than English.
Indirekte Rede (Konjunktiv I)
English uses past tenses for reporting; German uses a special verb form.
引用 (In'yō)
No tense changes occur in Japanese reported speech.
الكلام المنقول (al-kalam al-manqul)
Tense consistency is based more on the time of the event than a grammatical rule.
间接引语 (Jiànjiē yǐnyǔ)
Verbs never change form in Chinese reported speech.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
Discours Indirect: Say vs. Tell
### Overview Maîtriser la distinction entre `say` et `tell` est une étape cruciale pour tout apprenant de niveau B1. En...
Discours Indirect: Changements de Temps et de Lieu
### Overview Lorsqu'on rapporte les paroles de quelqu'un d'autre, on effectue un changement de perspective. En français...
Questions indirectes Oui/Non : 'Demandé si...'
Overview As-tu déjà été dans une discussion de groupe où quelqu'un pose une question et tu dois dire à quelqu'un d'autre...
Questions rapportées : Utilisation des mots en Wh- (quoi, où, pourquoi)
### Overview En tant que francophone, tu sais déjà que la langue est un outil de précision. Lorsque nous rapportons les...
Ordres Rapportés: Dire à quelqu'un quoi faire
Vous avez déjà eu un colocataire qui laisse un post-it sur le frigo ? Ou peut-être qu'un patron vous a envoyé un message...
Questions indirectes avec mots interrogatifs (Qui, Quoi, Pourquoi)
### Overview Maîtriser les questions rapportées, ou `reported questions`, avec des mots interrogatifs (`who`, `what`, `...
Questions indirectes Oui/Non (If/Whether)
Overview Avez-vous déjà été dans une discussion de groupe où quelqu'un pose une question brûlante, et vous devez la rapp...
Ordres et Requêtes Rapportés: Dire aux autres quoi faire
### Overview En tant que francophones, nous avons une structure très similaire pour rapporter des ordres ou des demande...
Discours Indirect avec Modaux et Rapport Passif (C1)
Overview Vous êtes-vous déjà demandé pourquoi quelqu'un sur Reddit dit `It's rumored that he might have ghosted her` au...
Vidéos associées
06:50 All Penguins Are From Australia
05:14 Mississippi Chicken Chili | Food Wishes
08:09 What is kink?: Sex Ed #15
REPORTED SPEECH in English - Indirect Speech | Reported Speech | Direct Speech (+ Free PDF & Quiz)
English with Lucy
Learn English Grammar: Reported Speech
Learn English with Rebecca · engVid
Learn English Grammar: DIRECT & INDIRECT SPEECH (REPORTED SPEECH)
Learn English with Gill · engVid
Related Grammar Rules
Voix Passive pour l'Objectivité : 'On dit que...'
Overview Vous êtes-vous déjà demandé pourquoi les présentateurs de journaux télévisés ont l'air si sérieux ? Ils disent...
Discours Indirect avec Modaux et Rapport Passif (C1)
Overview Vous êtes-vous déjà demandé pourquoi quelqu'un sur Reddit dit `It's rumored that he might have ghosted her` au...
Verbes de Discours Rapporté : Qui a Dit Quoi ?
### Overview En tant que francophones apprenant l'anglais, nous avons une base solide en grammaire, mais le passage du...
Quand utiliser la voix passive (Rapporter les nouvelles et les rumeurs)
Overview T'as déjà fait défiler ton fil X (Twitter) et vu un post disant : "It is rumored that the new GTA game is drop...
Structures de Rapport Passif (Il est dit qu'il est...)
### Overview Si tu as déjà lu un article du *New York Times*, écouté un rapport financier sur *Bloomberg* ou parcouru u...
