# Indirect Object Pronouns in French --- ## 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.*
*(He gives me a book.)* | | Tu | te | *Elle te parle.*
*(She speaks to you.)* | | Il/Elle/On | lui | *Je lui écris une lettre.*
*(I write him/her a letter.)* | | Nous | nous | *Il nous envoie un message.*
*(He sends us a message.)* | | Vous | vous | *Je vous offre un cadeau.*
*(I give you a gift.)* | | Ils/Elles | leur | *Elle leur raconte une histoire.*
*(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.*
*(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.*
*(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.*
*(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.*
*(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.*
*(She speaks to him/her.)* - **donner à** (*to give to*) - *Je leur donne un cadeau.*
*(I give them a gift.)* - **écrire à** (*to write to*) - *Nous vous écrivons.*
*(We write to you.)* - **envoyer à** (*to send to*) - *Il m’envoie un email.*
*(He sends me an email.)* - **dire à** (*to tell*) - *Je te dis la vérité.*
*(I tell you the truth.)* - **offrir à** (*to offer to*) - *Elle lui offre un livre.*
*(She offers him/her a book.)* - **rendre à** (*to return to*) - *Je leur rends les clés.*
*(I return the keys to them.)* - **prêter à** (*to lend to*) - *Il me prête son stylo.*
*(He lends me his pen.)* --- ## Practice Sentences 1. **Translate**: "I am telling him the truth." - *Je lui dis la vérité.* 2. **Translate**: "She gives them a present." - *Elle leur donne un cadeau.* 3. **Translate**: "We are writing to you." - *Nous vous écrivons.* 4. **Translate**: "He’s not talking to me." - *Il ne me parle pas.* 5. **Translate**: "Can you lend me your book?" - *Peux-tu me prêter ton livre ?* --- ## 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.

French

Indirect Object Pronouns

Multiple Choice