Introduction
In French, indirect object pronouns are used to indicate to whom or for whom an action is performed. They help clarify the indirect recipient of the action in a sentence.
Indirect Object Pronouns
Indirect object pronouns replace nouns that are indirect objects in a sentence. They answer the question "to whom?" or "for whom?"
| Subject Pronoun | Indirect Object Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Je | me | Il me donne un livre. <br> (He gives me a book.) |
| Tu | te | Elle te parle. <br> (She speaks to you.) |
| Il/Elle/On | lui | Je lui écris une lettre. <br> (I write him/her a letter.) |
| Nous | nous | Il nous envoie un message. <br> (He sends us a message.) |
| Vous | vous | Je vous offre un cadeau. <br> (I give you a gift.) |
| Ils/Elles | leur | Elle leur raconte une histoire. <br> (She tells them a story.) |
Placement of Indirect Object Pronouns
Before the Verb
Indirect object pronouns are placed before the conjugated verb.
- Example: Il me parle. <br> (He speaks to me.)
With Infinitives
When there is an infinitive in the sentence, the pronoun goes before the infinitive.
- Example: Je vais lui donner le livre. <br> (I am going to give him/her the book.)
With Compound Tenses
In compound tenses like the passé composé, the pronoun is placed before the auxiliary verb.
- Example: Il leur a offert des fleurs. <br> (He gave them flowers.)
With Negative Sentences
In negative sentences, the pronoun is placed between "ne" and the verb.
- Example: Je ne lui parle pas. <br> (I am not speaking to him/her.)
Common Verbs Used with Indirect Object Pronouns
Certain verbs commonly take indirect objects, meaning they are often followed by an indirect object pronoun.
- parler à (to speak to)
- Elle lui parle. <br> (She speaks to him/her.)
- donner à (to give to)
- Je leur donne un cadeau. <br> (I give them a gift.)
- écrire à (to write to)
- Nous vous écrivons. <br> (We write to you.)
- envoyer à (to send to)
- Il m’envoie un email. <br> (He sends me an email.)
- dire à (to tell)
- Je te dis la vérité. <br> (I tell you the truth.)
- offrir à (to offer to)
- Elle lui offre un livre. <br> (She offers him/her a book.)
- rendre à (to return to)
- Je leur rends les clés. <br> (I return the keys to them.)
- prêter à (to lend to)
- Il me prête son stylo. <br> (He lends me his pen.)
Practice Sentences
- Translate: "I am telling him the truth."
- Translate: "She gives them a present."
- Translate: "We are writing to you."
- Translate: "He’s not talking to me."
- Translate: "Can you lend me your book?"
Conclusion
Indirect object pronouns are an essential part of French grammar, allowing speakers to convey to whom or for whom an action is performed. By mastering their use, you can make your sentences clearer and more concise.