Unit 37: Personal pronouns - Object pronouns

1 Direct object pronouns

1.1 Definition

A direct object pronoun is one which takes the place of a direct object noun, that is to say a noun which experiences the direct action of a verb . The direct object pronouns in French are:

 

 

 

1.2 Placement

Unlike in English, direct object pronouns come before the verb in a simple tense :

Je connais Marie depuis cinq ans  →  Je la connais depuis cinq ans  

I've known Marie / her for five years

 

Or before the auxiliary verb avoir or être in a compound tense :

J'ai prêté le livre à Paul →  Je l'ai prêté à Paul  

I lent the book / it to Paul

  See three more examples

2 Indirect object pronouns

2.1 Definition

An indirect object pronoun is one which takes the place of an indirect object noun, i.e. the beneficiary of the action of a verb and its direct object . In French indirect object nouns are usually introduced by à. In French the indirect object pronouns are:

 

 

 

2.2 Placement

As with direct object pronouns, indirect object pronouns come before the verb in a simple tense :

 

J'ai prêté le livre à ma soeur  →  Je lui ai prêté le livre  

I lent the book to my sister / to her

 

Or before the auxiliary verb avoir or être in a compound tense :

 

Il a donné les tickets au contrôleur  →  Il lui a donné les tickets  

He gave the inspector / him / her the tickets

  See three more examples

2.3 Using the right object

The following constructions take an indirect object in French where the English equivalent takes (or appears to take) a direct object :

 

 

Il a donné les fleurs à sa femme  →  Il lui a donné les fleurs  

He gave his wife / her the flowers

Elle a promis à ses amis de venir  →  Elle leur a promis de venir  

She promised her friends / them she'd come

Cette pièce a plu à Marie  →  Cette pièce lui a plu  

Marie enjoyed this play / it

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