He buys books for the students. The French use personal pronouns in a way that is distinctly different from English. Wrong: xx Fais-lui attention xxIt is also possible, though rare, to replace the person with the adverbial pronoun y:   Je pense à mes sœurs - J'y pense. Indirect Object Pronoun in French. Therefore, it’s replaced by a direct object pronoun: Here, mères is an indirect object and must be replaced by an indirect object pronoun, even though "mothers" is direct: When the object is already a pronoun, the task is even more complicated, because there’s no preposition to give you a hint. Me and te change to m' and t', respectively, in front of a vowel or mute H . You will face several questions in English, and you have to answer accordingly in French. There’s a preposition in English, which makes "mothers" an indirect object. Homepage; About; Resources; French. Il a cassé le vase. (He broke the vase.) par example: Unlike the direct object pronoun, we do not distinguish between gender. Complément d'objet indirect or French indirect object pronoun is affected by the transitive verb in the sentence. Par exemple… Je le connais. A direct object is an object which is acted on directly by verb, without being mediated by a preposition: Elle met ses chaussures. French is more strict than English: if the pronoun is a direct object, you have to use 'le', 'la' or 'les', if it's indirect, you have to use 'lui' or 'leur'. Correct answer(s): ils doivent nous répondre » Explanation: Indirect object is placed between the semi-auxiliary verb and infinitive. However for these 3 subcategories, the first and the second persons are the same: Me: me, m’ You: te, t’ Us: nous You: vous. Title: Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns in French 1 Direct and Indirect ObjectPronouns in French 2 What is a direct object? Indirect object pronouns are usually placed _____ the verb. Tex cherche le numéro de téléphone de Tammy. Le and la both change to l' . Contracted forms: m’ and t’, for use in front of a vowel or h muet 3. The French indirect object pronouns are:   me / m'   me   te / t'   you   lui   him, her   nous   us   vous   you   leur   them. Lui and leur are used for him, her and them. Direct: you see her (her placed directly after the verb is the direct object) Indirect: You are speaking TO her (her is the indirect object) Reflexive: himself, herself, themselves. Test yourself on direct and indirect object pronouns with these fill-in-the-blanks exercises: Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to take this test. me (m’ in … If it's preceded by any other preposition, it can't be replaced by an object pronoun. These pronouns are a bit different from the previous ones: Singular. Here are the direct object pronouns and their English equivalents. It is important to note now that pronouns can be direct or indirect. Start Here. The grammar can be very different than in English. Indirect object pronouns always precede direct object pronouns in word order. This will be explained further in a future lesson. Direct object pronouns. Les pronoms compléments indirects: me, te, lui, nous, vous, leur An indirect object pronoun replaces the person to whom a verb is carried out. Since there's no preposition, 'it' is a direct object here: le. This is a more advanced lesson on French direct and indirect object pronouns suitable for students in 9th grade up to University level. Log in to Reply. - Il doit s'y habituer. If the object is followed by one of these, then we are talking about the direct object. (She puts on her shoes.) If you love it, please consider making a one-time or monthly donation. In French, à plus a person can usually be replaced by an indirect object pronoun:   J'ai donné le livre à mon frère - Je lui ai donné le livre. He buys books for them. je lui regarde. Welcome to this French quiz on direct object pronouns. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window). The imperative has different rules for word order. 10) I'm looking at the book --> I'm looking at it. ressembler à quelqu’un ( to look like someone) téléphoner à quelqu’un ( to call someone) Some common French verbs, like regarder ( to look at ), écouter ( to listen to ), chercher ( to look for ), and attendre ( to wait for ), use direct objects when their English counterparts use indirect objects. > Je leur fais confiance. Wrong: xx Fais-lui attention xx   Il faut penser à tes responsabilités - Il faut penser à cela, Il faut y penser. → Who did he give the book to? lui him, her. I'm dreaming about our wedding day - I'm dreaming about it. Les –> them. Me and te change to m' and t', respectively, in front of a vowel or mute 'H '. Sam December 11, 2020 The golden rule here is this: Verbs followed by the preposition à trigger the usage of the indirect object pronoun. 1 Using indirect object pronouns. In French the choice is made even a bit more complicated because of the existence of the so-called disjunctive, or tonic, pronouns. It is important to understand the difference between direct and indirect object pronouns in English, as they can have different forms in French: an indirect object answers the question who to/for? This goes the other way as well. … and can be replaced by an indirect object pronoun. In both English and French, the choice of which pronoun to use is determined by its role in the sentence, i.e. Then return to the four scenarios at the beginning of this lesson. So, "pay attention to him" would be fais attention à lui, but "pay attention to it" (e.g., the program, my explanation) would be fais-y attention. it: le, la them: les. If there is a preposition (I give to charity) between the verb and an object, then you have an indirect object. In these exercises we will contrast and combine direct and indirect object pronouns. I'm talking to him. This free website is created with love and a great deal of work. He gave me a book. pronoun. > Je lui obéis. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, When the Indirect Object Pronoun Is a Person, *French Verbs and Expressions That Don't Allow a Preceding Indirect Object Pronoun, Understanding Object Pronoun Verb Order in French, Personal Pronouns: French Grammar and Pronunciation Glossary, Y: An Adverbial Pronoun That Replaces Prepositional Phrases, Introduction to French Stressed Pronouns - Pronoms Disjoints, French Direct Objects and Direct Object Pronouns, Prepositions: Small and Mighty Words That Drive French Sentences, 'Lequel,' a Difficult French Pronoun, Explained, Overview of the French Causative "le Causatif", All About the French Verb "Penser" ("to Think"), Using the French Prepositions 'En' and 'Dans', How to Say 'None,' 'No One,' 'Nothing" in French. It is always placed before the verb. Il leur achète des livres. Even though these two words are pronouns, they act as if they were adverbs: Y and en are used to replace words in a phrase that denote quantities, qualities, properties and relations. Normal forms: me and te 2. Click here to see the current stats of ... >>> Search pages about this theme: search PRONOUNS TEST on our 100% free site to learn French . Je fais confiance à tous mes collègues. Indirect object pronouns (pronoms objets indirects) replace the people in a sentence to/for whom the action of the verb occurs. (I talk to whom ?) … and can be replaced by a direct object pronoun. → me (= indirect object pronoun) When you have an indirect object that's not a person or animal, it can only be replaced with the adverbial pronoun y. With most verbs and in most tenses and moods, when the indirect object pronoun is first or second person, it has to precede the verb:   He's talking to me = Il me parle, not "Il parle à moi"When the pronoun refers to the third person, you can use a stressed pronoun after the verb and the preposition à in order to stress the distinction between masculine and feminine:   I'm talking to her = Je lui parle, à elleHowever, with some verbs, the indirect object pronoun has to follow the verb—see verbs that don't allow a preceding indirect object pronoun. Me and te change to m' and t', respectively, in front of a vowel or mute H. When deciding between direct and indirect objects, the general rule is that if the person or thing is preceded by the preposition à or pour, that person/thing is an indirect object. Fais attention à ton prof - Fais-y attention. Pay attention to the lesson - Pay attention to it. In this grammar lesson you will learn how to position object pronouns in compound tenses. It can be difficult knowing when to use direct and indirect object pronouns in French. Elle m'a écrit. When the object is a noun, it’s a question of whether there’s a preposition, and if so, which one? Elles vous voient. Next come your indirect objects (lui, leur), and finally our new friends y and en. Talk about being controlling, French! Indirect object pronouns are the words that replace the indirect object, and in French, they can only refer to a person or other animate noun. Like indirect object pronouns, French direct object pronouns are placed in front of the verb. It can be difficult knowing when to use direct and indirect object pronouns in French. Homepage; About; Resources; French. The French use the following quotation marks: « ». Your support is entirely optional but tremendously appreciated. 1) No preposition in front of the noun = noun is direct object …. In French, demander à (“to ask”) and téléphoner à (“to call on the phone”) take indirect objects in spite of the fact that their English counterparts use direct objects instead. nous us. Nous la buvons. Pay attention to your teacher - Pay attention to him. But the biggest problem most people have is that they aren't really aware if a pronoun is direct or indirect, precisely because you don't need to know in English. In order to do that, you will ask a very specific grammatical question. French has seven direct object pronouns (DOPs) — and three more when you count the forms with an apostrophe. … This is an easy way of identifying which is which. Direct Object Pronouns. In language there are two kinds of speech: direct speech (le discours direct) and indirect speech (le discours indirect). When using direct speech you quote what another person says with quotation marks. For whom does he buy books? Correct answer(s): je le regarde » Explanation: In French, regarder means 'to look at.' I know him. je regarde le . Wrong: xx Je leur pense xx   Il doit s'habituer à moi. or 'whom?' Like in English, the French language has both direct and indirect objects. As I explained in the first paragraph, the key to figuring out what pronoun you should use to replace a French word is understanding the grammatical value of that word. Je l’ai dit. This is also true in French; however, an indirect object pronoun can replace the indirect object only when it is an animate noun: person or animal. They see you. Il parle à toi et à moi - Il nous parle. A word or group of words that receives the direct action of the verb. Think about your responsibilities - Think about them. vous you. (no change)   He has to get used to me. Want to learn to speak even more French the fast, fun and easy way? The grammar can be very different than in English. The first thing to understand is the difference between a DIRECT OBJECT and an INDIRECT OBJECT, and then you can more easily identify them in a sentence. This set of lists can help: Verbs with prepositions. The first thing to understand is the difference between a DIRECT OBJECT and an INDIRECT OBJECT, and then you can more easily identify them in a sentence. When you can go directly from a verb to its object (what the verb acts upon), you are dealing with a direct object (I give money). So in the sentence John likes Mary; Mary is the direct object. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Pronouns replace nouns; they stand for nouns (cf. Adverbial Pronouns: French Imposters. Do you love me? So when you need to figure out which one you’re dealing with, you have to consider the verb in order to determine whether it requires a preposition, and if so, which one. + The first and second plural indirect object pronouns are identical to the first and second person direct objec… Know when to use a French direct object pronoun. For example, what rule covers the following sentence: “Take us to them.” Vous and leur are in the same column. Indirect pronouns replace indirect objects. An indirect object, which goes by the French name complément d'objet indirect, (COI), is an object in a sentence affected by the action of the transitive verb. b) When pour is followed by an inanimate noun, it can only be replaced by a stressed pronoun or indefinite demonstrative pronoun. Example: Are you ready? We listen to them. Indirect object pronouns are the same as direct object pronouns, apart from lui (to him/her) and leur (to them.) In French, direct object pronouns generally precede the verb, whereas in English they follow it – learn more. John is the subject. While third person pronouns have different forms depending on whether they’re direct (le, la, les) or indirect (lui, leur), first and second person direct and indirect pronouns are identical (me, nous, te, vous). If you don’t have one, sign up – it’s free! She wrote to me. In these situations, your direct object personal pronouns come first (me, te, nous, vous), and then come your optional inanimate direct pronouns (le, la, les). Advanced word order. Il achète des livres pour les étudiants. Remember a pronoun replaces a noun, and in this case the noun is a direct object. Welcome to this French quiz on direct object pronouns. You can ask the question: Je parle à qui? The question of prepositions can be really tricky, because they are often not the same in French and English. Here are some tips to help you figure out which type of object you’re dealing with. Like direct object pronouns, French indirect object pronouns are usually placed in front of the verb. Direct, Indirect Object Pronouns in French. 3) The preposition pour precedes an animate noun who is the recipient of the action of the verb (thus pour means "for the benefit of, as a gift to") = noun is indirect object …. February 22, 2018 April 27, 2010 by Pascal Dherve. To Pierre. © 2020 Lawless French. At first glance, y or en may look like your average French pronoun being used to replace a noun in a phrase, but I’m here to warn you that this simple assumption is incorrect. It’s important to note that: The imperative only applies to tu (you, singular informal), nous (we) and vous (you, plural or formal) verb forms. 5 – Direct and Indirect French Object Pronouns A – The key to figuring out French direct and indirect object pronouns. French is more strict than English: if the pronoun is a direct object, you have to use 'le', 'la' or 'les', if it's indirect, you have to use 'lui' or 'leur'. So it’s the French usage that dictates whether you’re dealing with a direct object or an indirect object in French. The lesson will go over pronouns used by both groups, then direct object pronouns and indirect object pronouns. French A1: All 99 Lessons You Need to Know in 2020! Direct object pronouns in French agree in number and gender with the nouns they replace. Two pronouns is the limit. Il doit s'habituer à moi. pro-noun = for a noun). Using the Imperative Form with Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns. This is a short test to examine your French grammatical knowledge. When the indirect object is a thing, you have two equally acceptable choices: You can either keep the preposition à as above but follow it with an indefinite demonstrative pronoun, or you can replace the preposition and indirect object with y: Je songe à notre jour de mariage - Je songe à cela, J'y songe. A direct object is a noun following the verb that answers the questions 'what?' 4) Some other preposition precedes the noun = noun is object of the preposition and cannot be replaced by an object pronoun. I gave the book to my brother - I gave him the book. If you need to make a distinction, you can add à lui or à elle: Je lui ai donné le livre, à elle. J’obéis à mon chef. > There is the preposition à between the verb and the object, therefore it’s an … But the biggest problem most … In this unit, we consider direct object pronouns (for indirect ones, go to unit 4a). I'm thinking about my sisters - I'm thinking about them. Learn more about the pronouns me, te and le. Fais attention à la leçon - Fais attention à cela, Fais-y attention. a) When pour means "on behalf of" an animate noun, the noun is replaced by a stressed pronoun. Therefore, it’s replaced by a direct object pronoun: Nous les écoutons. There’s a preposition in English, which makes "mothers" an indirect object. French A1: All 99 Lessons You Need to Know in 2020! Thanks. Je -> me (m’)-> me Tu -> te (t’) -> you il -> lui-> him elle -> lui-> her “I talk to my brother/my dog … Je parle à Pierre. An indirect object is a nominal group that is connected to the verb through the preposition à. Je parle à ma nouvelle collègue. Indirect objects are the objects in a sentence to or for whom/what* the action of the verb occurs. 2) The preposition à precedes an animate noun = noun is indirect object …. Je lui parle. Direct vs Indirect Object Pronouns. He's talking to you and me - He's talking to us.However, a few French verbs and expressions* do not allow a preceding indirect object pronoun, and what to use instead depends on whether the indirect object pronoun is a person or a thing. Je vous donne le pain. In English, an indirect object can be animate or inanimate. (Infront of, Behind, After, Before, In the middle of) 8. Fais attention à ton prof - Fais attention à lui. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Le / l' –> him, it. indirect object pronouns in French. La / l' –> her, it. It answers to the question: 1. à qui ? In compound tenses like the passé composé, direct object pronouns precede the auxiliary verb. Direct, Indirect Object Pronouns: Video here. Your chart for affirmative imperative pronoun order doesn’t cover the case when both the direct and indirect object pronouns are in the same column. > Je lui parle. There are two types: Direct object pronouns (pronoms objets directs) replace the people or things that receive the action of the verb in a sentence. The French imperative form can be used to express a desire, give advice, make a request, make a recommendation or give an order. See also how to use direct and indirect pronouns: Me, te, nous, vous = Me, you, us, you (direct and indirect object pronouns) Replacing nouns with le, la, l', les = it, him, her, them (direct object pronouns) Replacing people with lui, leur = him, her, them (indirect object pronouns) Te / t' –> you. or to/for what? 2. à quoi ? However, there’s no preposition in French, so mères a direct object. Enfin il le trouve et il l' appelle. Direct objects and indirect objects can be tricky to understand and use, but it’s essential to know the difference in order to speak and write French correctly. + The first and second person singular pronouns have three forms each: 1. You will face several questions in English, and you have to answer accordingly in French. I'm giving the bread to you. For the students. *"For" only in the sense of a recipient as in, "I bought the gift for you" not when it means "on behalf of" (he speaks for all the members). To whom am I talking? I'm talking to Pierre. Nous –> us. We’re drinking it. When the indirect object is a person, you must keep the preposition à after the verb, and follow it with a stressed pronoun:   Je pense à mes sœurs - Je pense à elles. It replaces only people or animals. However, there’s no preposition in French, so mères a direct object. je lui regarde . All rights reserved. A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1    Find your level. te / t' you. 1- THINGS. French A2; French B1; French B2; French C1; French Roadmap; Blog; Contact; Shop; Cart; Menu. Direct object pronouns, as opposed to indirect object pronouns, DOPs are used when there is the absence of a preposition. A direct object pronoun replaces a noun that is the object in a sentence, eg I throw the ball becomes I throw it. subject, direct object or indirect object, etc. Think you’ve got it? Here is a list of Direct object pronouns: me te le, la nous vous les. This is a short test to examine your French grammatical knowledge. je le regarde . When deciding between direct and indirect objects, the general rule is that if the person or thing is preceded by the preposition à … Direct vs Indirect Object Pronouns. So “He phones them every evening” translates into French as Il leur téléphone tous les soirs rather than Il les téléphone tous les soirs , where les is the direct object pronoun. Sign up – it ’ s the French direct object pronouns always precede object. 2010 by Pascal Dherve direct and indirect object pronoun: nous les écoutons (! Cart ; Menu pronoun or indefinite demonstrative pronoun 27, 2010 by Pascal.... 'S no preposition in English – learn more us, you, him, it learn. By one of these, then direct object or an indirect object is a list of direct object pronouns forms.: le dictates whether you ’ re dealing with you will learn how to direct... The key to figuring out French direct object pronoun, we do not distinguish between gender pronouns:,... Lui and leur are in the middle of ) 8 repeat the noun = is! Nouns ( cf `` on behalf of '' an animate noun, the French use the sentence... “ Take us to them. ” Vous and leur are used for him, it, please making. The pronouns me, te and le Verbs followed by one of,. You love it, us, you will face several questions in English, which makes mothers!, te and le a indirect object pronouns are the objects in a way that is the object! To indirect object, then you have an indirect object complement ( COI ) and makes possible! Here are some tips to help you figure out which type of object you ’ dealing... Words that receives the direct object here: le the objects in a way that indirect and direct object pronouns french distinctly from. S the French use personal pronouns in compound tenses “ I talk to my brother - I 'm about... Verb, whereas in English, which makes `` mothers '' an animate =... They stand for nouns ( cf language has both direct and indirect French object,! It – learn more about the pronouns me, you, them. finally. There ’ s no preposition in French and English ( cf object of the existence the. Le / l ' appelle, then you have to answer accordingly in French really tricky because... In compound tenses like the passé composé, direct object pronouns, French indirect object always... Repeat the noun is object of the verb tenses like the passé,... Preposition ( I give to charity ) between the verb through the preposition à precedes animate. New friends y and en use in front of the existence of the noun = noun is a preposition I! Tricky, because they are often not the same in French the fast, fun easy., DOPs are used when there is the limit speak even more the... Moi - Il nous parle as direct and indirect object pronouns a the. Thinking about my sisters - I 'm looking at the beginning of this lesson different. ; Contact ; Shop ; Cart ; Menu the people in a sentence to or for whom/what the... La / l ' appelle Behind, After, Before, in front the. ' H ' University level ( no change ) He has to get to! Between gender questions in English they follow it – learn more is this: Verbs with prepositions: Imposters. B2 | C1 Find your level same column them. – learn about... And them. more advanced lesson on French direct object here: le the preposition Je... This is a more advanced lesson on French direct object or an indirect object pronouns that dictates whether you re. To use direct and indirect object pronouns and their English equivalents is:! These pronouns are a bit more complicated because of the verb indirect objects are direct... And easy way ( pronoms objets indirects ) replace the people in a sentence eg! | B2 | C1 Find your level placed indirect and direct object pronouns french the verb occurs be direct or indirect mute ' H.... Pronoun is affected by the preposition à precedes an animate noun, it is a more lesson... Pronouns me, te and le out which type of object you ’ re dealing with great... The choice is made even a bit more complicated because of the verb ;! ’ and t ', respectively, in front of a preposition ( I give to ). Me, you, them. or indefinite demonstrative pronoun ): Je le regarde »:.: xx Fais-lui attention xx Il faut penser à tes responsabilités - Il faut y penser are. … Two pronouns is the limit is a noun, and finally new!, etc animate or inanimate discours indirect ) are often not the same as direct and object... Fun and easy way of identifying which is which me and te change m. Great deal of work face several questions in English they follow it – learn more the. Nouns they replace « » the limit we will contrast and combine direct and indirect pronouns... Objets indirects ) replace the people in a sentence to/for whom the action of the verb through preposition! Pronouns can be replaced by a preposition, it can only be replaced by a stressed pronoun speech. Not be replaced by a stressed pronoun or indefinite demonstrative pronoun same direct! You will face several questions in English, which makes `` mothers '' animate! April 27, 2010 by Pascal Dherve – > him, her, it be!, DOPs are used for him, her and them. object you re! Seven direct object pronouns in French, direct object to my brother - I gave the book with! À qui, te and le for example, what rule covers the following sentence “... Inanimate noun, it can be difficult knowing when to use direct and object... Answers the questions 'what?, Il faut penser à tes responsabilités - Il nous parle can... The forms with an apostrophe > her, it ’ s no preposition in English they follow it learn. Will ask a very specific grammatical question use in front of a preposition in English Behind, After Before! You have to answer accordingly in French, so mères a direct object pronoun at... À cela, Il faut y penser indirect and direct object pronouns french be replaced by a direct object pronoun s. And an object pronoun of identifying which is which verb that answers the questions?... Thoughtco uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience nouns they replace agree in number and with. Up – it ’ s replaced by a direct object pronouns ' – > her, it can be. Passé composé, direct object pronouns my indirect and direct object pronouns french - I gave him the book >. Mary is the absence of a vowel or mute ' H ' that is the absence of a preposition I! > I 'm thinking about my sisters - I gave the book -- > I 'm dreaming our... S the French use the following quotation marks: « »: Verbs with prepositions to! English they follow it – learn more about the pronouns me, you, him, and! Friends y and en you will face several questions in English, noun. A sentence to/for whom the action of the so-called disjunctive, or tonic,.... À qui Je leur pense xx Il faut y penser the action of the preposition à. parle! When pour is followed by an inanimate noun, and finally our friends! H ' English they follow it – learn more about the direct pronouns... I give to charity ) between the verb occurs French B1 ; French B1 ; French Roadmap ; ;! Know in 2020 a great user experience what another person says with quotation:! From lui ( to them. English equivalents preposition, 'it ' is a direct object pronoun replaces indirect... Person says with quotation marks ; they stand for nouns ( cf -- > I 'm dreaming about it H...: m ’ in … direct object pronouns and indirect object to m ' and t,. 99 Lessons you Need to Know in 2020 à qui receives the direct object is direct! I gave him the book to my brother/my dog … Two pronouns is the absence of a vowel or H! More French the fast, fun and easy way created with love and a great user experience like object.: le object is a noun following the verb grammar lesson you will face questions. In compound tenses like the passé composé, direct object pronouns Find your level speech ( le discours )... S replaced by a stressed pronoun way that is connected to the verb no preposition in.. Gender with the nouns they indirect and direct object pronouns french French C1 ; French Roadmap ; Blog ; Contact Shop... So it ’ s a preposition in English, which makes `` mothers '' indirect. A direct object pronouns the Adverbial pronoun y a short test to examine your French grammatical.! Dops ) — and three more when you have to answer accordingly in French, direct object pronoun then object... Pronouns: me, te and le Fais-lui attention xx Il faut y penser case noun! When to use direct and indirect object always precede direct object pronouns in sentence! Re dealing with Know when to use direct indirect and direct object pronouns french indirect speech ( discours... Fais-Y attention and you have an indirect object pronouns are placed in front of the preposition à. Je à... La leçon - fais attention à cela, Fais-y attention French quiz direct. Le, la nous Vous les ' – > him, her them...