Reporting Commands: 'to do' (de + infinitif)
de.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
To report a command or request, use a reporting verb followed by 'de' and the infinitive form of the verb.
- Use 'de' after verbs like 'dire', 'demander', or 'ordonner'. Example: Il m'a dit de partir.
- For negative commands, put 'ne pas' before the infinitive. Example: Elle m'a dit de ne pas manger.
- The person receiving the command is the indirect object. Example: Je lui ai demandé de venir.
Overview
Reporting commands in French requires a specific construction: verbe introducteur + (pronom COI) + de + infinitif. This grammatical structure, central to indirect speech at the B1 CEFR level, allows you to relay an instruction, request, or piece of advice originally given as an imperative. Rather than directly repeating the command, which would often sound abrupt or grammatically incorrect in an embedded clause, French employs de followed by the infinitive form of the verb.
This mechanism simplifies the process significantly by circumventing the need for complex subjunctive conjugations that might otherwise be required in similar reported speech constructions. The linguistic principle at play is that of subordination: the command becomes a dependent clause, expressing an action to be performed, linked to a main reporting verb. This construction effectively transforms a direct order into an indirect injunction, making it a cornerstone for everyday communication when conveying what someone has asked another to do.
Consider the direct command: "Ferme la porte !" (Close the door!). To report this, you would say: Il m'a dit de fermer la porte. (He told me to close the door.) This compact form is efficient and ubiquitous in French, reflecting a common communicative need to attribute actions without quoting word-for-word. It provides clarity and maintains grammatical flow, making reported commands accessible and straightforward for learners navigating intermediate French.
How This Grammar Works
"Viens ici !" (Come here!), "Faites vos devoirs !" (Do your homework!). Transforming this into reported speech means shifting the perspective from the original speaker and listener to your own narrative. The core of this transformation lies in the reporting verb (also known as the verbe introducteur) and the subsequent de + infinitif structure.de + infinitif include:dire à(to tell someone to do something)demander à(to ask someone to do something)ordonner à(to order someone to do something)conseiller à(to advise someone to do something)proposer à(to suggest/propose to someone to do something)supplier(to beg/implore someone to do something)interdire à(to forbid someone from doing something)permettre à(to allow someone to do something)
à when indicating the person receiving the command. This à often translates into an indirect object pronoun (COI) in the reported structure. For example, Il dit à Jean de partir becomes Il lui dit de partir.lui (to him/her) replaces à Jean.- 1Identify the direct command:
"Écris une lettre !"(Write a letter!) - 2Choose a reporting verb: Let's use
dire à. - 3Identify the recipient: If the command was addressed to
toi(you), and you are now reporting it, the recipient in the reported speech becomesmoi(me). The indirect object pronoun formoiisme. - 4Apply
de + infinitif: The imperativeécrisreverts to its infinitive formécrire.
"Écris une lettre !" (addressed to you, reported by you) becomes Il m'a dit d'écrire une lettre. (He told me to write a letter.) The de contracts to d' before a vowel or mute h (e.g., d'aller, d'habiter). This contraction is mandatory and crucial for correct pronunciation and flow.ne pas (or ne ... plus, ne ... jamais, etc.) structure remains intact and is placed directly before the infinitive verb. The rule is simply de + ne pas + infinitif.- Direct:
"Ne parle pas !"(Don't speak!) - Reported:
Elle lui a demandé de ne pas parler.(She asked him not to speak.)
ne pas functions as a single unit modifying the infinitive. The reporting verb carries the tense and person, while the infinitive remains unchanged. This elegant construction avoids the complexities of negative subjunctive forms, which can be challenging for B1 learners.ne pas always frames the infinitive, acting as its negation, regardless of the reporting verb or the overall sentence structure. This consistency is a key feature that simplifies understanding and application for learners.Formation Pattern
de + infinitif follows a consistent and predictable pattern. Mastering this pattern involves selecting the appropriate reporting verb, correctly placing any indirect object pronouns, and applying the de + infinitif construction, making necessary adjustments for negative commands and personal pronouns.
dire, demander, ordonner, conseiller, interdire). This verb will be conjugated according to the reporter's tense and subject.
me, te, lui, nous, vous, leur) before the reporting verb (or before the infinitive in certain negative constructions, but not in this de + infinitif pattern). This pronoun refers to who received the original command.
de or d': Place de directly before the infinitive. If the infinitive begins with a vowel or a mute h, de contracts to d'.
ton (your, masculine singular) in the direct command might become mon (my) or son (his/her) in the reported speech, depending on the new perspective.
"Attends-moi !" (Wait for me!) | Il m'a demandé de l'attendre. (He asked me to wait for him.) | moi becomes me, l' for lui (indirect object of attendre). |
"Range ta chambre !" | Ma mère m'a dit de ranger ma chambre. | ta (your) becomes ma (my) from the new speaker's perspective. |
"Ne mangez pas les bonbons !" | Le docteur nous a interdit de manger les bonbons. | ne pas stays before the infinitive manger. vous becomes nous. |
"Faites attention !" | Le professeur leur a conseillé de faire attention. | leur (to them) replaces vous (plural you). |
"Allez-y !" | Il nous a proposé d'y aller. | Allez becomes aller, y remains in place, nous for vous. |
ne pas (and other negative particles):
ne pas, ne plus, ne jamais, ne rien, ne personne) always precede the infinitive. They act as a unit to negate the action described by the infinitive. For example:
Elle lui a dit de ne pas toucher à ça. (She told him not to touch that.)
Le chef nous a ordonné de ne plus parler de ce sujet. (The boss ordered us not to speak about this subject anymore.)
de still precedes the entire negative construction, ensuring that the ne pas + infinitif block is correctly introduced into the sentence structure. This consistency provides a clear framework for B1 learners, reinforcing the idea of de as the primary connector for indirect instructions.
When To Use It
de + infinitif construction for reported commands is a highly versatile and indispensable tool in French communication. You'll use it anytime you need to relay an instruction, request, prohibition, or piece of advice without quoting the exact words. Its primary function is to embed an imperative action into a narrative, making it central to recounting events, explaining directives, or simply passing on information.- Relaying Instructions: Whether it's from a parent, a teacher, a boss, or a colleague, this is the most common use.
Mon père m'a dit de tondre la pelouse.(My father told me to mow the lawn.)La professeure nous a demandé de lire le chapitre 5.(The teacher asked us to read chapter 5.)- Reporting Requests: When someone asks politely for something to be done.
Elle lui a demandé de l'aider avec ses devoirs.(She asked him to help her with her homework.)Ils nous ont supplié de rester une heure de plus.(They begged us to stay one more hour.)- Conveying Advice: When you're passing on recommendations or warnings.
Mon médecin m'a conseillé de faire plus d'exercice.(My doctor advised me to exercise more.)Elle leur a suggéré de prendre le métro.(She suggested to them to take the metro.)- Stating Prohibitions or Permissions: Directly reporting rules or granted allowances.
Le règlement interdit de fumer dans ce bâtiment.(The regulations forbid smoking in this building.)Mes parents m'ont permis de sortir ce soir.(My parents allowed me to go out tonight.)- Summarizing Directives: In professional settings, emails, or minutes of a meeting, where precision and conciseness are valued.
Le manager a demandé à l'équipe de terminer le rapport avant vendredi.(The manager asked the team to finish the report before Friday.)- Sharing a Story or Anecdote: When telling someone about a past interaction.
Le policier m'a dit de montrer mes papiers.(The police officer told me to show my papers.)
Common Mistakes
de + infinitif construction for reported commands is a source of several common errors for French learners. These mistakes often stem from an incomplete understanding of the structure's specific requirements or from overgeneralizing rules from other reported speech patterns.- 1Omitting
de: This is perhaps the most frequent error. Learners often translate directly from English, where
Reporting Command Structure
| Subject | Reporting Verb | Indirect Object | Connector | Infinitive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Il
|
a dit
|
me
|
de
|
partir
|
|
Elle
|
demande
|
lui
|
de
|
venir
|
|
Ils
|
ont ordonné
|
nous
|
de
|
attendre
|
|
Il
|
a dit
|
me
|
de ne pas
|
fumer
|
|
Elle
|
a conseillé
|
te
|
de
|
réfléchir
|
|
On
|
a demandé
|
leur
|
de
|
signer
|
Meanings
This structure is used to report an order, a request, or advice given by someone else without using direct speech.
Reporting Orders
Relaying a command given by an authority figure.
“Il a ordonné aux soldats de se taire.”
“Le chef m'a dit de finir ce rapport.”
Reporting Requests
Relaying a polite request or favor asked by someone.
“Il m'a demandé de l'aider.”
“Elle nous a priés de rester.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + de + Inf
|
Il m'a dit de venir.
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + de ne pas + Inf
|
Il m'a dit de ne pas venir.
|
|
Question
|
Verb + de + Inf?
|
Il t'a dit de partir?
|
|
With Object
|
Verb + Ind.Obj + de + Inf
|
Il lui a demandé de rester.
|
|
Advice
|
Conseiller + de + Inf
|
Il m'a conseillé de dormir.
|
|
Order
|
Ordonner + de + Inf
|
Il a ordonné de sortir.
|
Formality Spectrum
Il m'a enjoint de partir. (Leaving a place.)
Il m'a dit de partir. (Leaving a place.)
Il m'a dit de me casser. (Leaving a place.)
Il m'a dit de dégager. (Leaving a place.)
Reporting Command Flow
Verbs
- dire to say
- demander to ask
- ordonner to order
Structure
- de of/to
- ne pas not
Examples by Level
Il me dit de manger.
He tells me to eat.
Elle me dit de partir.
She tells me to leave.
Il me demande de venir.
He asks me to come.
Elle me dit de dormir.
She tells me to sleep.
Il m'a dit de ne pas fumer.
He told me not to smoke.
Elle m'a demandé de l'aider.
She asked me to help her.
Il m'a dit de faire mes devoirs.
He told me to do my homework.
Elle m'a dit de ne pas oublier.
She told me not to forget.
Le patron m'a ordonné de finir ce dossier.
The boss ordered me to finish this file.
Il m'a conseillé de prendre des vacances.
He advised me to take a vacation.
Elle a exigé de parler au directeur.
She demanded to speak to the manager.
Il m'a prié de ne pas faire de bruit.
He begged me not to make noise.
Le médecin m'a recommandé de suivre un régime.
The doctor recommended that I follow a diet.
Elle a insisté pour que je vienne, mais il m'a dit de rester.
She insisted I come, but he told me to stay.
Il m'a sommé de quitter les lieux.
He summoned me to leave the premises.
Elle m'a incité à réfléchir avant d'agir.
She encouraged me to think before acting.
Il a enjoint ses subordonnés de respecter les consignes.
He enjoined his subordinates to respect the instructions.
Elle m'a exhorté de ne pas abandonner mes projets.
She exhorted me not to abandon my projects.
Il a été contraint de démissionner.
He was forced to resign.
On m'a intimé l'ordre de me présenter.
I was ordered to present myself.
Le juge a ordonné de suspendre la séance.
The judge ordered the session to be suspended.
Il a été sommé de s'expliquer sur ses agissements.
He was summoned to explain his actions.
Elle a été priée de bien vouloir patienter.
She was requested to kindly wait.
Il a été enjoint de se conformer au règlement.
He was enjoined to comply with the regulations.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up reporting statements and commands.
Learners confuse 'ask to' and 'ask someone'.
Learners try to use the subjunctive when the infinitive is simpler.
Common Mistakes
Il dit que partir.
Il dit de partir.
Il dit de ne partir pas.
Il dit de ne pas partir.
Il dit partir.
Il dit de partir.
Il dit de il partir.
Il dit de partir.
Il m'a dit que je partir.
Il m'a dit de partir.
Il a demandé de moi de partir.
Il m'a demandé de partir.
Il a ordonné que je fais.
Il a ordonné de faire.
Il m'a conseillé que je prends.
Il m'a conseillé de prendre.
Elle a exigé de que je parte.
Elle a exigé de partir.
Il a dit de ne pas faire rien.
Il a dit de ne rien faire.
Il a été dit de partir.
On lui a dit de partir.
Il a enjoint que nous partions.
Il nous a enjoint de partir.
Il a demandé de ne pas le faire pas.
Il a demandé de ne pas le faire.
Sentence Patterns
Il m'a dit de ___.
Elle m'a demandé de ne pas ___.
Le chef m'a ordonné de ___ le rapport.
Il m'a conseillé de ___ avant de ___.
Real World Usage
Mon patron m'a dit de finir ce dossier.
Ma mère m'a dit de rentrer tôt.
Le guide nous a dit de rester ensemble.
Le médecin m'a dit de ne pas manger de sucre.
Il m'a dit de suivre son compte.
Il m'a dit de venir vite.
The 'de' Rule
Don't use 'que'
Negative placement
Politeness
Smart Tips
Always think: 'Is this an action?' If yes, use 'de'.
Keep 'de ne pas' together like a block.
Match the verb to the intensity of the command.
Use 'demander' for requests and 'ordonner' for orders.
Pronunciation
Liaison
Ensure liaison between 'dit' and 'il' if applicable.
Command tone
Il m'a dit de | partir ↘
Falling intonation for a firm command.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember: 'D' for 'Dire' and 'D' for 'De'. If you say it, you use 'de' to make them do it.
Visual Association
Imagine a boss pointing at a door (the infinitive) and a 'de' bridge connecting the boss to the door.
Rhyme
When you report what they say to do, add 'de' before the verb, it's true!
Story
My boss told me to work. He said 'de travailler'. I didn't want to, so he said 'de ne pas dormir'. I listened.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences reporting what your friends told you to do today.
Cultural Notes
French speakers use 'de' + infinitive to maintain a polite distance in professional settings.
Similar usage, but 'dire de' is extremely common for all types of requests.
Often uses 'dire' with a direct object clause in spoken dialects, but 'de' + infinitive is standard in formal education.
Derived from Latin 'dicere' (to say) and the preposition 'de' (of/from).
Conversation Starters
Qu'est-ce que ton professeur t'a dit de faire?
Qu'est-ce que ton patron t'a demandé de faire aujourd'hui?
Si tu pouvais dire à ton ami de faire quelque chose, que dirais-tu?
Qu'est-ce que tes parents t'ont dit de ne pas faire quand tu étais petit?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Il m'a dit ___ partir.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Il m'a dit que venir.
Il dit: 'Viens!'
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Il ___ (dire) de partir.
ordonné / il / de / nous / partir
Can you use 'que' for commands?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesIl m'a dit ___ partir.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Il m'a dit que venir.
Il dit: 'Viens!'
Match: 1. Ordonner, 2. Conseiller, 3. Demander
Il ___ (dire) de partir.
ordonné / il / de / nous / partir
Can you use 'que' for commands?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesElle lui dit ___.
Translate: I am asking you to help me.
fumer / pas / dit / Il / ne / de
How do you report 'Regardez !' using 'conseiller'?
Le patron me demande travailler.
L'ami me ___ la musique.
Translate: He tells us to leave.
How do you report 'Ne mange pas !'?
Il dit de ne sortir pas.
Translate: The app advises using a code.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, 'que' is for statements. 'De' is for commands.
No, you can use any tense for the reporting verb.
It goes between 'de' and the infinitive.
Yes, it is standard in all registers.
No, use reported questions for that.
You can omit it, e.g., 'Il a dit de partir'.
No, the infinitive is much simpler.
Yes, with verbs like 'conseiller'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
decir de + infinitivo
Spanish often prefers the subjunctive in reported commands.
sagen zu + Infinitiv
German uses 'zu' instead of 'de'.
tell to + infinitive
English requires the object pronoun, whereas French can sometimes omit it if implied.
~te kudasai to iu
Japanese uses a completely different structure based on quotation.
qala lahu an...
Arabic uses a subordinate clause rather than an infinitive.
gaosu ta qu...
Chinese has no infinitive form.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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