J'ai entendu dire ?!

Question

I've heard that Isabelle is also going to try her luck in Paris.

J'ai entendu dire qu'Isabelle allait aussi tenter sa chance à Paris.

Hi, what is the use of dire? Can't we just say "J'ai entendu qu'Isabelle....

Thank you :)

Accepted Answer

Hi Amir,
The expression -
entendre dire que = to hear (it said) that 
is used for something you have heard and you have to have 'dire' in French.
Mostly it will be used with que introducing another clause ( another sentence) but not always : 
you might say -
Oui, je l'ai entendu dire = Yes, I heard (it said)that 
J'ai entendu dire que Martin était rentré en France = I heard (it said) that Martin has returned to France 
If you said simply -
j'ai entendu qu'Isabelle ...
although it would be more correct to say - 
j'ai entendu Isabelle dire qu'elle...
it means you heard it yourself and it is not hearsay or a rumour.
I hope this helps!

Answer

Perhaps "entendre dire" is more idiomatic, but according to Larousse "dire" is optional.https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/entendre/29878#locutionEntendre (dire) que, en prendre connaissance : J'ai entendu dire que Paul a quitté sa femme.