Quand utiliser la voix passive (Rapporter les nouvelles et les rumeurs)
objective, formelle, ou même pour éviter de te mouiller!
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the reported passive to share information without naming a specific source, common in news and gossip.
- Use 'It + is/was + past participle + that' for general claims (e.g., 'It is said that...').
- Use 'Subject + is/was + past participle + to-infinitive' for specific people (e.g., 'He is thought to be...').
- Common verbs include: say, think, believe, consider, report, know, and rumor.
Overview
It is rumored that the new GTA game is dropping next week? Tu n'as pas vu le nom d'une personne précise. Tu as juste vu l'info.
Les gens disent que..., au lieu de ça, ils disent
It is said that...(Il est dit que...). Ça fait plus professionnel. Ça fait officiel.
rapportée. C'est l'arme secrète du niveau B1.tout le monde pense. C'est parfait quand tu veux avoir l'air intelligent dans une réunion Zoom. Ou quand tu envoies un texto à un pote sur une rumeur de célébrité.He is thought to be...au lieu de juste
People think he is..., tu es au bon endroit. On va faire de toi un vrai pro.
How This Grammar Works
Journalists report that the price of coffee is rising.Ici, les journalistes sont les stars. Mais si on se fiche des journalistes ? Si on s'intéresse seulement au café ?
Impersonnelle. Elle commence par It. C'est comme dire Les bruits courent que...mais d'une manière grammaticalement correcte.
Personnelle. Elle commence par la personne ou la chose dont on parle. Coffee is reported to be rising in price.C'est un peu plus avancé. Ça place le sujet de la phrase au centre de l'attention.
No Filter. C'est brut et direct.Cinematic. Ça adoucit tout. Ça donne l'impression que l'information est plus importante que la personne qui l'a dite.It is said that the exam was leaked.(Faut pas me citer là-dessus, hein !)
Formation Pattern
It is said that...(Impersonnel)
It.
to be (généralement is ou was).
V3). Les plus courants : said, thought, believed, reported, known.
that.
It + is + rumored + that + the concert is canceled.
Subject is said to...(Personnel)
to be (is, are, was, were).
V3).
to + un verbe à l'infinitif.
to + verb (ex : to be, to work).
to have + V3 (ex : to have won, to have left).
to be + -ing (ex : to be waiting).
The concert + is + rumored + to be + canceled.
When To Use It
- Breaking News : Les journalistes adorent ça. Ça les aide à rapporter des choses qu'ils n'ont pas encore entièrement vérifiées.
It is reported that the tech company will lay off 500 staff.
Ça protège le journaliste. Si ça s'avère faux, il peut dire : "Eh, j'ai juste dit que c'était rapporté !"
- Croyances Générales : Quand tu parles de quelque chose que la plupart des gens pensent être vrai.
He is known to be the best gamer in the world.
OuIt is believed that eating chocolate makes you happy.
(On sait tous que c'est vrai à 100 %).
- Écriture Formelle : Si tu écris une dissertation ou un rapport pour la fac. Ça rend ton écriture objective. Au lieu de dire
I think the data shows...
, tu disIt is thought that the data shows...
- Les Potins (Style Moderne) : Utiliser ça pour les rumeurs de célébrités te donne l'air d'un magazine people haut de gamme.
She is said to be dating a famous actor.
C'est bien plus classe que "My friend told me she's dating him."
- Éviter le Blâme : C'est un classique.
It was expected that the project would be finished today.
On dirait que le projet a échoué tout seul. Personne ne mentionne que tu as joué aux jeux vidéo toute la nuit en fait.
Common Mistakes
- 1Oublier le
todans la structure personnelle.
- ✗ She is said be a genius.
- ✓ She is said
to bea genius.
to est essentiel.- 1Utiliser le mauvais infinitif pour le passé.
- ✗ He is thought to win the prize last year.
- ✓ He is thought
to have wonthe prize last year.
have + V3.- 1Mélanger les deux structures.
- ✗ It is said him to be rich.
- ✓
It is said thathe is rich. OUHe is said tobe rich.
It ou par la personne. N'essaie pas de faire les deux en même temps. C'est comme essayer de porter deux paires de chaussures.- 1Utiliser la mauvaise forme verbale après
It is said that
.
- ✗ It is said that he to be rich.
- ✓ It is said that
he isrich.
that, tu as besoin d'une phrase normale avec un verbe normal. Pas d'infinitifs autorisés ici !Contrast With Similar Patterns
The cake was eaten.L'action est finie. On sait ce qui est arrivé au gâteau.
- Passif Normal :
The window was broken.
- Passif Rapporté :
It is said that the window was broken.
- Standard :
They said he was tired.
- Passif :
He was said to be tired.
they (un groupe spécifique). C'est le grand public ou une source officielle. C'est la différence entre un texto de ta mère et un titre sur la BBC.Quick FAQ
Est-ce que c'est seulement pour l'anglais formel ?
Surtout, oui. Mais tu l'entendras aussi dans les potins décontractés ! Ça te donne un air drôle ou dramatique.
Puis-je utiliser n'importe quel verbe ?
Non, seulement les verbes de rapport. Pense à : say, think, believe, claim, report, know, expect.
Pourquoi appelle-t-on ça impersonnel ?
Parce que le mot It n'a pas de personnalité. C'est juste un espace réservé pour la nouvelle.
Est-ce que
He is thought to be...est la même chose que
People think he is...?
Oui ! Le sens est le même. La version passive sonne juste plus pro et déplace l'attention.
Et si je ne connais pas le participe passé d'un verbe ?
La plupart des verbes de rapport sont réguliers (claimed, reported, believed). Thought, Known et Said sont les irréguliers courants que tu dois mémoriser. Utilise une antisèche si tu dois le faire !
Reporting Verb Structures
| Structure Type | Subject | Passive Reporting Verb | Connector/Infinitive | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Impersonal
|
It
|
is said / was believed
|
that + clause
|
It is said that he is kind.
|
|
Personal (Present)
|
He / She / They
|
is thought / are known
|
to + infinitive
|
He is thought to be kind.
|
|
Personal (Past)
|
The suspect
|
is alleged
|
to have + past participle
|
He is alleged to have stolen it.
|
|
Personal (Continuous)
|
The team
|
is reported
|
to be + -ing
|
They are reported to be winning.
|
|
Negative Impersonal
|
It
|
is not expected
|
that + clause
|
It is not expected that they win.
|
|
Question Personal
|
Is
|
he known
|
to be + adjective
|
Is he known to be reliable?
|
Meanings
A grammatical structure used to report opinions, rumors, or facts when the specific source of the information is unknown, unimportant, or needs to be distanced from the speaker.
Impersonal Reporting
Using 'It' as a dummy subject to introduce a general belief or news item.
“It is reported that the strike will end tomorrow.”
“It was thought that the earth was flat.”
Personal Subject Reporting
Focusing on a specific person or thing as the subject of the rumor or belief.
“The CEO is said to be resigning next month.”
“The painting is believed to be a forgery.”
Past Reporting
Reporting something that was believed in the past but may not be now.
“He was known to be a difficult boss.”
“It was alleged that he stole the money.”
Reference Table
| Verbe de report | Structure 1 : 'It is/was/has been...' + proposition en 'that' | Structure 2 : 'Sujet is/was/has been...' + to + infinitif |
|---|---|---|
|
Dire
|
`It is said that she's a genius.`
|
`She is said to be a genius.`
|
|
Croire
|
`It is believed that the plan will work.`
|
`The plan is believed to work.`
|
|
Penser
|
`It is thought that he quit.`
|
`He is thought to have quit.`
|
|
Rapporter
|
`It was reported that the road is closed.`
|
`The road was reported to be closed.`
|
|
Savoir
|
`It is known that dogs love walks.`
|
`Dogs are known to love walks.`
|
|
S'attendre à
|
`It is expected that prices will rise.`
|
`Prices are expected to rise.`
|
|
Comprendre
|
`It is understood that she resigned.`
|
`She is understood to have resigned.`
|
|
Prétendre
|
`It is claimed that the product works.`
|
`The product is claimed to work.`
|
Spectre de formalité
It is widely considered that the company is facing insolvency. (Business discussion)
The company is thought to be failing. (Business discussion)
Word is the company is going under. (Business discussion)
People are saying the company is toast. (Business discussion)
Voix Passive de Report : Quand l'utiliser
Structures Clés
- `It is said that...` Énoncés généraux
- `Subject is believed to...` Focus sur la personne/chose
Pourquoi l'utiliser ?
- Source inconnue Qui l'a dit ? Pas important.
- Ton formel Objectif, académique, actualités
- Éviter la responsabilité Partager rumeurs, potins
- Focus sur l'info Ce qui est rapporté est clé
Verbes courants
- `say` It is said
- `believe` is believed
- `think` is thought
- `report` was reported
- `expect` is expected
Structures de Report Passif : 'It is...' vs. 'Subject is...'
Choisir la Bonne Structure de Report Passif
Veux-tu rapporter un fait ou une situation générale ?
Veux-tu rapporter quelque chose sur une personne ou une chose spécifique ?
L'action rapportée se passe-t-elle en même temps que le verbe de report, ou dans le futur ?
L'action rapportée s'est-elle produite AVANT le verbe de report ?
Verbes de Report Passif & Leurs Usages
Opinion Générale
- • `It is said...`
- • `It is believed...`
- • `It is thought...`
Report Formel
- • `It is reported...`
- • `It is understood...`
- • `It is alleged...`
Attentes
- • `It is expected...`
- • `He is expected to...`
Faits Connus
- • `It is known...`
- • `She is known to...`
Exemples par niveau
People say he is rich.
People say he is rich.
They say it is a good movie.
They say it is a good movie.
Everyone says the food is great.
Everyone says the food is great.
My friends say she is nice.
My friends say she is nice.
It is said that he is a hero.
It is said that he is a hero.
It is known that the sun is hot.
It is known that the sun is hot.
It is thought that they are happy.
It is thought that they are happy.
Is it said that the party is at 8?
Is it said that the party is at 8?
The company is expected to grow this year.
The company is expected to grow this year.
It is reported that the road is closed.
It is reported that the road is closed.
He is believed to have stolen the car.
He is believed to have stolen the car.
The team is thought to be the best in the league.
The team is thought to be the best in the league.
The suspect is alleged to have fled the country.
The suspect is alleged to have fled the country.
It is widely assumed that the tax will increase.
It is widely assumed that the tax will increase.
The ruins are considered to be over 2,000 years old.
The ruins are considered to be over 2,000 years old.
She is understood to be working on a new book.
She is understood to be working on a new book.
The policy is rumored to be under review by the committee.
The policy is rumored to be under review by the committee.
It is contended that the data was misinterpreted.
It is contended that the data was misinterpreted.
He is reputed to have been the finest architect of his generation.
He is reputed to have been the finest architect of his generation.
The species was previously thought to have been extinct.
The species was previously thought to have been extinct.
The document is purported to be the original treaty.
The document is purported to be the original treaty.
It is held by many scholars that the text is a later addition.
It is held by many scholars that the text is a later addition.
The CEO is rumored to have been ousted in a boardroom coup.
The CEO is rumored to have been ousted in a boardroom coup.
The findings are expected to be met with significant skepticism.
The findings are expected to be met with significant skepticism.
Facile à confondre
Learners often use 'They say' when 'It is said' would be more appropriate for the formal context.
Mixing 'He is said that...' and 'It is said to...'.
Confusing 'He is said to have...' with 'He had his hair cut'.
Erreurs courantes
He says that he is rich.
People say he is rich.
It says that it will rain.
It is said that it will rain.
He is said that he is a genius.
He is said to be a genius.
The thief is believed escaped.
The thief is believed to have escaped.
It is alleged him to be the killer.
He is alleged to be the killer.
Structures de phrases
It is ___ that ___.
___ is/are thought to ___.
___ is said to have ___.
It was once believed that ___.
Real World Usage
It is reported that the ceasefire has been signed.
She is rumored to be getting a promotion.
The theory is considered to be outdated.
The suspect is believed to be armed and dangerous.
The temple is said to have been built in a single night.
The new iPhone is expected to have a better camera.
L'info avant la source
objective. Par exemple, quand tu parles d'une étude scientifique : It is known that physical activity improves mood.
Attention aux infinitifs !
to, il te faut une forme de base (to go) ou un infinitif parfait/continu (to have gone, to be going). N'oublie pas be pour les actions en cours ou have pour les actions passées ! C'est une erreur fréquente, alors vérifie bien tes constructions avec to. Par exemple, She is said to be fluent in five languages.
Ton allié pour les infos et les potins
The actor is rumored to be dating his co-star.
Un ton formel en anglais
objectif et autoritaire. C'est un signe d'un anglais sophistiqué, surtout pour parler de connaissances générales ou de recherches. Comme dans un rapport : It is widely believed that the strategy will succeed.
Smart Tips
Start your sentences with 'It is reported that...' or 'It is understood that...'.
Use 'He is rumored to...' to share a secret without sounding like you are the one who started it.
Use 'It is widely considered that...' instead of 'Many people think...'.
Remember that 'to have' means the action happened *before* the rumor started.
Prononciation
Stress on the Reporting Verb
In the reported passive, the main stress usually falls on the past participle of the reporting verb (said, thought, believed).
The 'to' reduction
In the personal subject structure, the word 'to' is often reduced to a weak 'tuh' sound.
Falling intonation for facts
It is known that the earth is round. ↘
Conveys certainty and finality.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Remember 'IT' for 'Information Total' (It is said that...) and 'S' for 'Specific Subject' (She is said to...).
Association visuelle
Imagine a news anchor behind a desk. When they look at the camera and say 'It is reported...', they are talking to everyone. When they point to a photo of a celebrity and say 'He is rumored...', they are focusing on that person.
Rhyme
If you don't know who said the word, use the passive to be heard.
Story
A detective arrives at a crime scene. He doesn't know who the thief is. He tells the press, 'It is believed that the thief entered through the window.' Later, when they find a suspect, he says, 'The suspect is thought to have hidden the jewels.'
Word Web
Défi
Write three rumors about your favorite celebrity using 'is said to', 'is rumored to', and 'is thought to'.
Notes culturelles
Journalists use 'alleged' or 'it is reported' to avoid lawsuits. If they say 'He is a thief' and it's not proven, they can be sued. If they say 'He is alleged to be a thief,' they are just reporting a claim.
British news (like the BBC) uses the reported passive very frequently to maintain a tone of 'impartiality' and 'stiff upper lip' objectivity.
In universities, using 'I think' is often discouraged. Students are taught to use 'It is argued that' or 'It is considered' to make their writing sound more scientific.
The use of the passive voice for distancing comes from Latin legal and academic traditions, which heavily influenced Middle English.
Amorces de conversation
What is a famous rumor about a celebrity that is said to be true?
It is reported that robots will take many jobs. What do you think?
Is there a place in your city that is thought to be haunted?
What are some things that were once believed to be true but are now known to be false?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
It ___ that the new student is from Canada.
It is believed that...est correcte pour rapporter une croyance ou une rumeur générale actuelle.
Find and fix the mistake:
The app is said to being updated next week.
to, tu dois utiliser un verbe à l'infinitif de base. To be updated montre correctement une action passive future.Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Sujet is thought to have + participe passérapporte correctement une action passée terminée avant la pensée actuelle.
Choose the correct sentence:
is reported est correcte pour la structure It is...that, indiquant une nouvelle générale.Score: /4
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesIt is _______ (believe) that the company will close next year.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
The thief is thought to escaped through the window.
People say that he lives in New York. -> He _______.
1. People think she is rich. 2. People thought she was rich.
We can use the verb 'want' in the reported passive structure (e.g., 'It is wanted that...').
A: Did you hear about the CEO? B: Yes, she is rumored _______ resigning.
Verbs: say, eat, believe, run, report, sleep.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe new restaurant ___ to open next month.
It is believed the ancient text existed for centuries.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Se informa que el concierto fue un éxito.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the beginnings with the correct endings:
The celebrity is understood ___ in secret for months.
Many students are expected to will attend the orientation.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the reporting verbs with their correct infinitive forms:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, only verbs related to saying, thinking, or believing (e.g., `say`, `think`, `believe`, `report`, `know`). You can't say `It is eaten that...`.
They mean the same thing, but 'It is said that' focuses on the whole idea, while 'He is said to' focuses on the person.
It's more common in formal speaking (like news) or when sharing rumors. In casual talk, we usually say `I heard that...` or `They say...`.
Use `to have + past participle`. For example: `He is said to have left` means people say he left in the past.
To protect themselves legally. It shows they are reporting a claim, not stating a proven fact.
Yes! `It was said that...` means people used to say it, but maybe they don't anymore.
Yes, but `Rumor has it` is an idiomatic expression, while `It is rumored that` is a standard passive structure.
Mixing the two forms, like saying `He is said that he is...`. Remember: `It` + `that`, `He` + `to`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se dice que...
Spanish lacks the personal subject + passive + to-infinitive structure.
On dit que...
French uses an active subject 'on' instead of a passive 'it'.
Man sagt, dass...
German uses 'man' or 'es wird' rather than personal subject passives.
...to iwarete iru
Japanese word order is different, but the logic of using a passive verb is very similar.
Yuqālu 'anna...
Arabic usually keeps the verb at the start of the sentence.
Jùshuō (据说)
Chinese doesn't use a 'passive' verb form because Chinese verbs don't conjugate for voice.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Vidéos associées
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