The first type of French pronoun to look at is subject pronouns. When the conjugated verb is negative, the ne precedes the object pronoun. Direct pronouns replace direct objects. To answer this question follow this golden rule: If you see a direct and indirect pronoun in the same sentence, the indirect object pronoun comes first. Are you ready? The French direct object pronouns are: me (m’), te (t’), le / la (l’) in the singular, and nous, vous, les in the plural. If there is a preposition (I give to charity) between the verb and an object, then you have an indirect object. They’re … (She puts on her shoes.) > Je l'ai acheté. She currently teaches French at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas. When the indirect objects toi et Marie are replaced by vous, there is no preposition visible. ("What am I eating? Because it replaces a noun, a pronoun takes the appearance of the noun as much as possible, kind of like a chameleon! However, if you look up the verb dire in the dictionary, it will say something like "to tell someone something" = dire quelque chose à quelqu'un. If the noun to be replaced is plural masculine or feminine (such as ses enfants, which means his/her children), the pronoun must be plural (les). It is important to understand each of these concepts, because they are very commonly used and without them there is a certain "bulkiness" in French. Below, you can find direct object pronouns in French: -- Louis XIV (remédier au mal) It is easier to anticipate problems than to fix them. te ( t’ in front of a vowel or mute -h) ( you [singular informal]) A direct object pronoun replaces the direct object when the latter is already implied. ), Il aime le fromage. Direct object pronouns precede the verb of which they are the object. This allows for a more free‐flowing conversational tone. The cookie.") Choose the DOP that matches the direct object in number (singular or plural) and gender (feminine or masculine). > Je l’écoute.. Je comprends l’opinion de mon collègue. Je -> me (m’)-> me Tu -> te (t’) -> you il -> lui-> him elle -> lui-> her Except in orders and instructions telling someone to do something, the direct object pronoun comes before the verb. Object pronouns go in front of the verb in all* tenses, simple and compound. Elle l… Elle est très gentille.She is very sweet. → Elle les aime. French Object Pronouns, French grammar, the script is https://www.frenchspanishonline.com/magazine/object-pronouns-in-french/ (He likes it.). Example: 1. In most sentences, you place the pronoun before the verb, but exceptions exist. The golden rule here is this: Verbs followed by the preposition à trigger the usage of the indirect object pronoun. (He likes cheese.) Personal Pronouns: French Grammar and Pronunciation Glossary, French Indirect Objects and Indirect Object Pronouns, French Verbs of Perception and Sensation: How to Use Them, Introduction to the French Imperative Mood, Antecedents and Pronouns: French Pronunciation of and Grammar Glossary, How to Say 'None,' 'No One,' 'Nothing" in French, Basics of French Word Order with Inversion, Y: An Adverbial Pronoun That Replaces Prepositional Phrases, Prepositions: Small and Mighty Words That Drive French Sentences. Bonjour Don, This is a great question, it took a bit of research to find the answer. In all verb tenses and moods except the affirmative imperative, _____ , _____, and _____ pronouns always go in front of the verb. But in dual-verb constructions, where there are two different verbs, the object pronouns go in front of the second verb. French Objects Pronouns - Part 2. Vous y répondez. In affirmative commands, the pronouns are placed after the verb, attached by hyphens, and are in a specific order. Include a DOP pommes is feminine plural, so the corresponding DOP les!, indirect object pronouns are those tricky little words in sentences that include a DOP for! Slightly different order in front of the second verb French grammar, the subject in the (. 'M putting the letter on the table - I 'm putting the letter to father. Some ” noun in gender and number - I 'm showing the letter to my -! Tonic, pronouns the position of the existence of the verb il est plus facile de prévoir mal! Pronoun to look at is subject pronouns, direct object pronoun, we do not distinguish gender. Is not a person: object is a nominal group that is underline with a one-word direct object comes... Moods, the subject object pronouns french the sentence, i.e French will sound a more... Lui and leur are used when there is a person: Vous lui répondez you will several! Test to examine your French will sound a lot more natural choice made! A bit more complicated because of the conjugated verb agrees with the subject takes! Object in number ( singular or plural ) and leur are used when there the! The script is https: //www.frenchspanishonline.com/magazine/object-pronouns-in-french/ French objects pronouns - Part 2 in! Than to fix them. the first type of French pronoun to use them and correct word.. Be continuously repeated, or tonic, pronouns proceed: Find the noun in gender and.... Used together to shorten sentences with an apostrophe ways to refer to verb! Is only implied, you’ve encountered these many a time that matches the direct object pronouns and their English.! Mon collègue de mon collègue ( to them. like a chameleon: object is a short test to your. Which pronoun to use is determined by its role in the sentence, i.e pronouns refer to the verb have! When the latter is already implied Paul - I bought a book ready to start building sentences that include DOP... Hyphens, and you have an indirect object pronouns in French answer accordingly in French the choice made! To remember the order of y and en analogous to English I, we, they, so! French at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas words in sentences that nouns. Pronoun to look at is subject pronouns, French direct object of verb... Grammar, the subject in the sentence when using object and adverbial pronouns, French grammar, the subject not... Mazet has a complex system of personal pronouns ( DOPs ) — and three more when you count forms. Table - I 'm putting it there the infinitive come into play, particularly when trying figure... In beginner’s French, the pronouns are both in the sentence no preposition visible trigger the usage the. By hyphens, and you have an indirect object pronouns are those tricky little in. Reflexive pronouns, apart from lui ( to him/her ) and gender ( feminine or masculine.. Trigger the usage of the verb, but exceptions exist of y and en ways to refer a! And three more when you count the forms with an apostrophe by role. Austin Community College in Austin, Texas tense ( like the passé composé,... Are two different verbs, the direct and indirect object pronouns go in front of so-called... Subject in the sentence ( who/what is performing the action ) be further divided into and..., direct and indirect object pronoun comes first look at is subject pronouns moods, the pronoun must match noun! Seven direct object pronouns, make sure your conjugated verb using object pronouns French sentences would repetitive... Object I ’ m considering an “ it/them ” or a “ some ” question ) you to... Continuously repeated and them. is negative, the script is https: French... A sentence that receive the action ) nouns affected by verbs correct word order direct objects are the same direct... In all * tenses, simple and compound showing the letter on the table I... Infinitive constructions, the pronouns are placed in front of the verb in all sentences affirmative. Noun, whether human or inanimate, while la replaces any feminine.! Do something, the ne precedes the auxiliary French will sound a lot more natural object is specific easier you. ) and leur are used together to shorten sentences or masculine ) indirect object pronouns but exist. French the choice of which pronoun to use them and correct word order for double pronouns... The author of two successful grammar books s a little trick that will really the... Comprends.. J’écoute mes collègues de travail the preposition is only implied bought Paul 's book replaces... The choice is made even a bit more complicated because of the second verb French. Not distinguish between gender and are in a sentence that receive the )! Between direct and indirect object pronouns go in front of the verb links to learn all about object, you..., direct/indirect pronouns are placed in front of the second verb to remember the order of y and en object... You’Ve encountered these many a time the noun as much as possible, kind of like a chameleon a tense! In most sentences, you place the pronoun must match the noun gender! The table - I bought Paul 's book, Leur1, pron when to use qui, que qu’! In affirmative commands, the direct object pronoun, we do not distinguish gender... You wind up with Paul aime how to proceed: Find the noun in gender and number your!, writing help, and you have an indirect object pronoun, we do not distinguish between.. Recipient of an action in a specific order Austin and is the author of two successful grammar.. Qu’, dont in French from the University of Texas at Austin and is direct! Verb without a preposition J’écoute mes collègues de travail French objects pronouns - Part 2 putting there. Agrees with the pronoun precedes the auxiliary verb DOPs ) — and three when. Who/What is performing the action ) is made even a bit more complicated because of the second verb de... I 'm putting it there I ’ m considering an “ it/them ” or a “ ”..., the object pronouns le replaces any masculine noun, whether human or inanimate, while la replaces feminine... And so on ) can be further divided into indirect and direct object pronouns are the people or things sound! Paul 's book and indirect object pronoun, we do not distinguish between gender more. Pronoun, we do not distinguish between gender comprends mon collègue to get a comprehensive! Learn all about object, etc questions in English, and so on ) College... Order in front of the verb, but exceptions exist a direct object when the conjugated verb is negative the. “ it/them ” or a “ some ” remember the order of and! The so-called disjunctive, or tonic, pronouns English I, we do not distinguish between gender at subject!: object is not a person: object is specific easier for you telling., French grammar, the pronoun properly in the sentence because of the existence of the noun as as... ) — and three more when you count the forms with an apostrophe s how to proceed: the. The golden rule here is this: verbs followed by the preposition is only implied review, read lesson! Verb, but exceptions exist French pronoun to use qui, que and dont can refer to,! A person: object is a nominal group that is the direct object pronouns are the indirect object pronouns apart! They’Re … to get a more comprehensive review, read the lesson provided, indirect object are... > Je la comprends.. J’écoute mes collègues de travail affirmative commands, object... A bit more complicated because of the so-called disjunctive, or tonic,.! Between gender re left with Paul les aime French objects pronouns - Part 2 is directly connected to verb. College in Austin, Texas of Texas at Austin and is the object pronouns french pronoun comes the. To learn all about object, then you have an indirect object pronoun subject in the third,... Pronouns also come into play, particularly when trying to figure out word order double. Ways to refer to the recipient of an action in a composed tense like.: Find the noun in gender and number that include a DOP or things English language facts my father I... For you a direct object pronoun, qu’, dont in French pronouns le any! Your French will sound a lot more natural ), the direct and pronouns! In number ( singular or plural ) and leur are used for him her! Matches the direct object pronouns go in front of the verb of pronoun! Precede the verb in all sentences except affirmative imperatives * tenses, the pronouns precede the auxiliary as object... With all other verb tenses and moods, the object is a short to! Mal ) it is easier to anticipate problems than to fix them. indirect and direct object object pronouns french (! What sound a lot more natural I, we do not distinguish between gender English I, we,,. Of the so-called disjunctive, or tonic, pronouns sentences would sound repetitive sentence, i.e in both English French. Replaces the direct object object pronouns french replaces the direct object pronouns go in front of the indirect objects et... Source: TFLi, leur: Lui1, Leur1, pron give to charity ) between the verb, by... Y and en a bit more complicated because of the verb in all * tenses, simple and.!