Les Pronoms Direct & Indirect
Direct Objects We have already seen Direct objects. This is when you replace an object with a pronoun to avoid repeating it. E.g. Paul writes a letter. He sends it. Paul écrit une lettre. Il l’envoie. object pronoun
Direct Objects Direct Objects are used when the pronoun is directly following the verb (i.e. no preposition in between). E.g. Il However this doesn’t work in French. Replace elle with the direct object (la) Then put La in front of the verb deteste elle. la
Je Tu Il Elle Nous Vous Ils/Elles Direct Me Te Le La Les
Replace the objects in these sentences with a pronoun Marie voit Paul - Marie le voit Il aime son chat. Je sais la réponse. Nous avons trois chiens. I love you. He hates me.
Indirect objects There are also indirect objects which function the same way direct objects. However, their pronouns are slightly different.
What do you notice about the direct and indirect objects? Tu Il Elle Nous Vous Ils/Elles Direct Me Te Le La Les Indirect Lui Leur What do you notice about the direct and indirect objects?
Indirect Objects Indirect objects are when there is a preposition (such as à/de) between the verb and the pronoun. E.g Il Again, this does not work in French. Turn à elle into lui Then place it before the verb. téléphone lui à elle
Replace the objects in these sentences with an indirect pronoun Je parle à Pierre - Je lui parle. Je parle aux garçons. Elle répond à toi. Je donne le livre à Marie. Nous donnons la lettre aux filles.
How do I know which one to use? If there is the preposition à or pour after the verb and before the noun it is an indirect object. E.g. Elle parle à ses amis. If there is no preposition you can safely assume that it will require a direct object.
Traps Many verbs that are direct in English will remain direct in French. However, not all verbs will follow the pattern. E.g. I telephoned my friends (DIRECT) J’ai téléphoné à mes amis. (INDIRECT) I disobey the teacher. (DIRECT) Je désobéis à l’enseignante. (INDIRECT)
Fill in the gap with the appropriate pronoun Marie visite la tour Eiffel. Marie ________ visite. Le père lit le livre à son fils. Le père _________ le conte. Marie voit Charles à la plage. Marie _______ voit à la plage. La fille sait les verbs. La fille ________ sait. L’enfant répond à ses parents. L’enfant _______ répond. Pierre dit bonjour à Marie. Pierre ________ dit bonjour. la lui le les leur Exercises taken from Schaum’s French Grammar 1999 lui