Verbes de Discours Rapporté : Qui a Dit Quoi ?
profondeur et de la précision à ce que tu rapportes.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use passive reporting to talk about general beliefs or news without naming a specific person as the source.
- Use 'It + is + said + that' for general statements like 'It is said that he is rich.'
- Use 'Subject + is + thought + to' for specific focus like 'He is thought to be rich.'
- Common verbs include: say, think, believe, consider, report, know, and expect.
Overview
said ou told, utiliser des verbes comme admitted, suggested ou warned permet d'apporter une précision sur l'intention du locuteur. C'est ce qui différencie un niveau B1 d'un niveau C1 : la capacité à transmettre non seulement le message, mais aussi l'attitude ou le contexte émotionnel derrière les mots.suggest, on ne peut pas mettre un complément d'objet indirect comme on le ferait avec tell. On dira He suggested going to the cinema (gérondif) et non He suggested me to go. C'est une erreur classique liée à l'interférence du français « il m'a suggéré d'aller ».to-infinitive, gerund (-ing), ou une proposition avec that. Cette richesse structurelle demande une gymnastique mentale différente du français, où l'on utilise souvent le mode conditionnel ou le subjonctif pour rapporter des faits incertains ou des ordres. En anglais, on utilise le *backshift* (décalage des temps) pour marquer la distance temporelle, un concept qui existe aussi en français mais qui est appliqué de façon plus systématique en anglais.She admitted (that) she was wrong. | Admettre que... |He advised me to study more. | Conseiller à quelqu'un de faire... |They offered to help us. | Proposer de faire... |She suggested going out. | Suggérer de sortir... |He apologized for being late. | S'excuser de... |He admitted he was wrong) est bien plus fluide que de répéter toute la phrase.advise, urge ou instruct prennent tout leur sens. Au lieu de dire He told me to..., utilise He urged me to... pour montrer l'insistance. Enfin, pour le langage formel et journalistique : les structures passives comme It is believed that... ou He is reported to have... sont indispensables pour rester neutre, un peu comme notre « on dit que » ou « il semblerait que » en français, mais avec une élégance toute britannique.- 1L'erreur de structure après 'suggest' : Beaucoup de francophones disent
He suggested me to go. C'est une interférence directe du français « il m'a suggéré de... ». En anglais,suggestne prend jamais d'objet indirect avant un infinitif. Il faut direHe suggested that I goouHe suggested going. - 2Confusion entre 'say' et 'tell' : Les francophones oublient souvent le complément d'objet après
tell. On ditHe told me(jamaisHe told that). L'erreur vient du fait qu'en français, on peut dire « Il a dit que » ou « Il m'a dit que » sans changer la structure du verbe. - 3Oubli du 'to' après certains verbes : Dire
He advised me studyau lieu deHe advised me to study. Le cerveau français cherche à traduire « il m'a conseillé d'étudier » et oublie que l'infinitif anglais nécessite leto.
He said that he was busy. | He said me he was busy. |He told me that he was busy. | He told that he was busy. |He suggested going. | He suggested me to go. |tell est toujours suivi d'une personne, tandis que say ne l'est jamais directement. C'est une règle d'or pour paraître plus naturel à l'oral.that est optionnel. Tu peux dire He said he was tired ou He said that he was tired. C'est une question de fluidité, le that est souvent omis à l'oral.deny ou admit, on utilise le gérondif car on parle d'une action passée ou d'une habitude, ce qui est plus concis qu'une proposition complète.order) ? Un conseil (advise) ? Une promesse (promise) ? Choisir le bon verbe permet d'éviter les longs discours et rend ton anglais beaucoup plus précis.Common Reporting Verbs in the Passive
| Verb | It-Structure (Present) | Subject-Structure (Present) | Past Meaning (Subject-Structure) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Say
|
It is said that...
|
He is said to be...
|
He is said to have been...
|
|
Think
|
It is thought that...
|
He is thought to be...
|
He is thought to have been...
|
|
Believe
|
It is believed that...
|
He is believed to be...
|
He is believed to have been...
|
|
Know
|
It is known that...
|
He is known to be...
|
He is known to have been...
|
|
Report
|
It is reported that...
|
He is reported to be...
|
He is reported to have been...
|
|
Expect
|
It is expected that...
|
He is expected to be...
|
He is expected to have been...
|
Meanings
A formal way to report what people generally say, think, or believe without identifying the specific speakers.
General Belief
Reporting a widely held opinion or fact using 'It is said that...'
“It is thought that the earth was once much hotter.”
“It is known that smoking causes cancer.”
Specific Subject Focus
Starting the sentence with the person or thing being talked about.
“She is said to be the best doctor in town.”
“The thief is believed to have escaped through the window.”
Rumors and Allegations
Reporting something that hasn't been proven yet, often in legal or journalistic contexts.
“He is alleged to have stolen the car.”
“The suspect is reported to be hiding in the forest.”
Reference Table
| Verbe de déclaration | Structure | Exemple (actif) | Exemple (passif) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Admit
|
that-clause / V-ing
|
She admitted that she made a mistake.
|
It was admitted that a mistake was made.
|
|
Advise
|
object + to-infinitive
|
He advised me to save money.
|
I was advised to save money.
|
|
Announce
|
that-clause
|
They announced that tickets were sold out.
|
It was announced that tickets were sold out.
|
|
Apologize
|
for + V-ing
|
He apologized for being late.
|
An apology was made for the delay.
|
|
Claim
|
that-clause
|
She claimed that she saw a ghost.
|
It is claimed that ghosts exist.
|
|
Deny
|
V-ing
|
He denied stealing the car.
|
The theft was denied by him.
|
|
Insist
|
on + V-ing / that-clause
|
She insisted on paying.
|
It was insisted that she pay.
|
|
Order
|
object + to-infinitive / that-clause
|
The teacher ordered us to sit down.
|
We were ordered to sit down.
|
|
Promise
|
to-infinitive / that-clause
|
They promised to help us.
|
It was promised that they would help.
|
|
Suggest
|
V-ing / that-clause
|
I suggested going for a walk.
|
It was suggested that we go for a walk.
|
Spectre de formalité
He is considered to be a genius. (Academic or social evaluation)
It is thought that he is a genius. (Academic or social evaluation)
Everyone thinks he's a genius. (Academic or social evaluation)
People say he's got a massive brain. (Academic or social evaluation)
Verbes de Déclaration : Débloque la Nuance
But
- Attitude Montrer émotion/intention
- Résumer Condenser le discours original
- Éviter la Répétition Varier le vocabulaire
Structures Courantes
- That-clause Verbe + (that) + S + V
- To-infinitive Verbe + (Objet) + to + V
- Gérondif Verbe + V-ing
Formes Passives
- It is said that Croyance/rapport général
- He is believed to Sujet + verbe passif + to-V
Exemples de Verbes
- Suggest Recommandation
- Admit Confession
- Demand Requête forte
- Warn Avertissement
Verbes de Déclaration : Structures en un coup d'œil
Choisir le bon verbe de déclaration et la bonne structure
As-tu besoin de rapporter ce que quelqu'un a dit ?
Veux-tu exprimer une attitude, une émotion ou une intention ?
Le discours original est-il une affirmation, une requête ou une question ?
Ton verbe choisi nécessite-t-il 'that', 'to-infinitive' ou 'gerund' ?
L'événement original est-il au passé ?
La source est-elle inconnue ou générale (contexte formel) ?
Verbes de Déclaration dans les Contextes Modernes
Messages/DM
- • Said (that)
- • Asked if
- • Replied that
- • Admitted
- • Complained
Réunions/Cours en ligne
- • Announced that
- • Explained that
- • Reminded us to
- • Suggested reviewing
- • Ordered them to
Réseaux Sociaux (Légendes)
- • Claimed that
- • Boasted about
- • Wondered if
- • Shared that
- • Posted that
Gaming/Chat vocal
- • Shouted that
- • Warned us to
- • Suggested waiting
- • Agreed to
- • Ordered to attack
Exemples par niveau
People say he is a good teacher.
People say he is a good teacher.
They think the movie is funny.
They think the movie is funny.
Everyone knows her name.
Everyone knows her name.
I believe you are right.
I believe you are right.
It is said that the food here is great.
It is said that the food here is great.
It is known that he is very rich.
It is known that he is very rich.
People believe the story is true.
People believe the story is true.
It is thought that the cat is lost.
It is thought that the cat is lost.
It is believed that the strike will end soon.
It is believed that the strike will end soon.
The painting is thought to be a fake.
The painting is thought to be a fake.
He is said to live in a huge mansion.
He is said to live in a huge mansion.
It is expected that the team will win.
It is expected that the team will win.
The CEO is reported to have resigned yesterday.
The CEO is reported to have resigned yesterday.
It is widely considered that his work is revolutionary.
It is widely considered that his work is revolutionary.
The suspect is alleged to have stolen the jewels.
The suspect is alleged to have stolen the jewels.
The virus is known to spread through the air.
The virus is known to spread through the air.
The manuscript is reputed to have been written by Dickens.
The manuscript is reputed to have been written by Dickens.
It is understood that negotiations are at a delicate stage.
It is understood that negotiations are at a delicate stage.
He is thought to have been working for the government for years.
He is thought to have been working for the government for years.
The company is estimated to be worth over ten billion dollars.
The company is estimated to be worth over ten billion dollars.
The artifact is purportedly to have originated from the Ming Dynasty.
The artifact is purportedly to have originated from the Ming Dynasty.
It is contended by some scholars that the text is a later addition.
It is contended by some scholars that the text is a later addition.
The defendant is claimed to have been being coerced at the time of the crime.
The defendant is claimed to have been being coerced at the time of the crime.
The policy is widely acknowledged to have been a failure.
The policy is widely acknowledged to have been a failure.
Facile à confondre
Learners think every passive sentence needs 'by someone'.
Mixing 'He said that...' with 'He is said to...'.
Using 'that' after a person-subject.
Erreurs courantes
People says he is good.
People say he is good.
Is said that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
He is said that he lives in London.
He is said to live in London.
It is believed to be true.
It is believed that it is true.
He is thought to be a thief last year.
He is thought to have been a thief last year.
He is alleged to steal the money yesterday.
He is alleged to have stolen the money yesterday.
Structures de phrases
It is ___ that ___.
The ___ is thought to be ___.
He is said to have ___.
It is widely ___ that ___.
Real World Usage
The suspect is believed to be heading south.
It is generally accepted that the data is accurate.
It is rumored that the boss is quitting.
I am known to be a very hard worker.
This temple is thought to have been built in 500 BC.
The defendant is alleged to have committed fraud.
Écoute la nuance
He grumbled about the weather.
Ne mélange pas les structures !
I suggested going for a walk.
Pense à l'intention
He advised me to study.
Le contexte est essentiel
He stated his opinion clearly.
Smart Tips
Replace 'I think' with 'It is often argued that' or 'It is generally believed that'.
Always look for the 'to'. If there is no 'to', the sentence is likely wrong.
Use 'It is rumored that...'. It completely removes you from the gossip.
Remember: 'to have' is your time machine. Use it to go back in time.
Prononciation
Weak 'to'
In the structure 'is said to be', the word 'to' is usually reduced to a schwa /tə/.
Linking 'is'
The 'is' often links to the following past participle.
Reporting Stress
It is SAID that he is RICH.
Stress the reporting verb and the key information at the end.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Remember 'IT THAT' or 'SUBJECT TO'. It's either 'It... that' or 'Subject... to'.
Association visuelle
Imagine a news anchor behind a desk. They don't say 'My friend told me'; they say 'It is reported that...'. The desk is the 'It is' structure—it's formal and hides the person.
Rhyme
When 'It' is the start, 'that' plays the part. When the Subject is first, 'to' quenches the thirst.
Story
A detective is investigating a crime. He doesn't know who the witness is, so he writes in his notebook: 'The suspect is thought to have fled.' He uses this to sound professional and avoid blaming a specific person for the rumor.
Word Web
Défi
Look at a news headline today. Try to rewrite it using 'It is said that...' or 'The [Subject] is said to...'.
Notes culturelles
British news (like the BBC) uses these structures very frequently to maintain a 'neutral' and 'unbiased' tone.
In Western universities, using 'I think' in an essay is often discouraged. Students are taught to use 'It is argued that...' or 'It is generally accepted that...'.
Lawyers use 'alleged' to avoid lawsuits. If you say 'He is a thief' and it's not proven, you can be sued. If you say 'He is alleged to be a thief', you are safe.
This structure evolved from Old English 'man' (similar to German 'man'), which was an indefinite pronoun meaning 'one' or 'people'.
Amorces de conversation
It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Do you agree?
Your favorite celebrity is rumored to be moving to your city. What do you do?
It is expected that AI will change every job. How will it change yours?
Which historical figure is considered to be the most influential?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
She ___ on arriving early to get good seats for the concert.
insist est souvent suivi de on + gérondif, ou d'une proposition avec that. Dans ce contexte, insisted correspond le mieux à l'idée d'être ferme sur quelque chose.Find and fix the mistake:
My coach advised me to don't give up on my dream.
not vient avant to.Choisis la phrase correcte :
Suggest est généralement suivi d'un gérondif (forme en -ing). Bien que 'He suggested that I join the club' soit aussi correct, 'suggested me to join' est une erreur courante.Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Promise est un verbe de déclaration souvent suivi d'un infinitif avec to.Score: /4
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesIt ___ that the company is losing money.
He is said ___ live in a castle.
Find and fix the mistake:
She is thought that she is the best singer.
People say that he is a genius.
We use 'to have + past participle' to talk about the past in reporting structures.
A: Is the new movie good? B: Well, it ___ to be the best of the year.
Pick the odd one out.
1. People think he is rich. 2. People say he was rich.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe news report ___ that the new stadium would be completed by next year.
She apologized for miss her flight.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella me recordó que enviara el correo electrónico.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the verbs with their patterns:
It ___ that the ancient city was built by an unknown civilization.
My friend said me to buy more milk.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Sugirió pedir comida para llevar.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the verbs with the prepositions:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, 'It is said' implies a general consensus or rumor. For your own opinion, use `I think` or `In my opinion`.
Yes, much more formal. It is preferred in writing and professional contexts.
No, only 'reporting' or 'mental' verbs like `say, think, believe, know, expect, report, consider, allege`.
The first is about the present ('He is rich now'). The second is about the past ('He was rich before').
In English, every sentence needs a subject. 'It' acts as a 'dummy subject' to fill the space when we don't want to name a person.
Yes, it is common in both British and American English, especially in news and formal writing.
Yes, but it's more common to say `It is said that it is true` or `The story is said to be true`.
Mostly, yes. It means something is claimed but not yet proven in a court of law.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que...
Spanish lacks the 'He is said to be' structure.
On dit que...
French uses an active pronoun 'on' instead of a passive verb.
Man sagt, dass...
German uses the modal verb 'sollen' for reporting.
...to iwarete iru
Japanese word order is reversed, with the reporting verb at the end.
Yuqal 'anna...
Arabic usually keeps the 'that' (anna) structure.
Jùshuō (据说)
Chinese doesn't use verb conjugation or a 'to-infinitive' structure.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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