Bandeau categories 1
 

The
Indirect Object Pronouns

1.

Form & Use

 

 

  1. What is an  indirect object:  

    In French, just like in English, an indirect object is the person (rarely a thing) that receives the action of the verb indirectly – that is, the object is introduced by a preposition, most often "à". It answers the question "to whom?" or "for whom?":
     
    • I’m talking to Paul. → "Paul" is the indirect object.
              To whom am I talking? To Paul.

    • She gives flowers to her mother. → "her mother" is the indirect object.
              To whom does she give flowers? To her mother.

             Of course, "flowers" is the direct object.
             What does she give to her mother? Flowers.
     
  2. Indirect object pronouns:
      
    In French, like in English, instead of repeating the object if it’s known from the context or has already been mentioned, we can replace it with a pronoun. Pronouns are used to replace nouns, and when replacing a noun in indirect object position, you need to use an indirect object pronoun (pronom COI, which stands for "Complément d’Objet Indirect"):
              • COI pronouns: me, te, lui, nous, vous, leur

    In French, the pronoun goes before the verb.
              • Structure: subject + PRONOUN + VERB

    • Je parle à Paul. → Je lui parle.
    I’m talking to Paul. → I’m talking to him.
    • Elle téléphone à ses parents. → Elle leur téléphone.
    She’s calling her parents. → She’s calling them. (She's making a phone call to them)
    • Il nous écrit.
    He’s writing to us.
    • Je vous envoie un message.
    I’m sending you a message. (I'm sending a message to you)
     
    When the verb starts with a vowel, me, te become m’, t’ (for easier pronunciation).
     

    • Tu m’écris ? Oui, je t’écris quand j'arrive !
    Will you text me (write to me)? - Yes, I'll text you (write to you) when I get there!
    • Je leur explique la règle.
    I’m explaining the rule to them.
          

  3. Common pitfall:

    This lesson focuses only on indirect object pronouns – pronouns that replace nouns functioning as indirect objects, i.e., nouns that appear after the preposition "à".

    Keep in mind that some verbs that take a direct object in English may take an indirect object in French – and vice versa. This is a common source of confusion.

              • E.g. => écouter + NOUN → listen to + NOUN
              • E.g. => téléphoner à + NOUN → call + NOUN
     
    • Tu téléphones à ta mère ? – Oui, je lui téléphone chaque jour.
    Are you calling your mum? – Yes, I call her every day. 
    • Il répond aux élèves, il leur répond avec beaucoup de détails.
    He’s answering the students, he’s answering them with a lot of details.