Le passif pour rapporter (It is said that…)
Les informations et les textes formels rapportent des opinions sans citer la source : It is said that… (on dit que…), He is believed to… (on pense qu’il…). Verbes typiques : say, believe, think, expect, report, know.
| structure | exemple |
|---|---|
| It + is said + that… | It is said that the hotel is haunted. |
| sujet + is said + to do | The hotel is said to be haunted. |
| sujet + is said + to have done | He is believed to have left the country. |
Exemples
- It is expected that prices will rise.On s’attend à une hausse des prix.
- She is thought to be the best candidate.On la considère comme la meilleure candidate.
- The fire is reported to have started in the kitchen.L’incendie aurait commencé dans la cuisine.
- He is said to be very rich.On dit qu’il est très riche.
- The missing hikers are believed to have survived.Les randonneurs disparus auraient survécu.
Erreurs courantes
- ✗ It says that he is rich.✓ It is said that he is rich.Le français on dit que se rend par le passif it is said et non par it says.
- ✗ He is said that he is rich.✓ He is said to be rich.Avec un sujet personnel, le passif prend un infinitif : He is said to be rich.
- ✗ She is thought have left.✓ She is thought to have left.Après is thought il manque la particule to avant have left.
- ✗ He is reported to has escaped.✓ He is reported to have escaped.Après to on emploie la forme de base have et non has.
- ✗ They are believed be safe.✓ They are believed to be safe.Après are believed il manque la particule to devant l’infinitif.