Direct object pronouns in French are used to replace a direct object noun, avoiding repetition and making sentences more concise.
In French, direct object pronouns replace the noun that directly receives the action of the verb. They appear before the conjugated verb (or auxiliary in compound tenses) and agree in number and person with the noun they replace.
Direct Object Pronouns in French
| Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Plural (Masc./Fem.) |
|---|---|---|
| le | la | les |
le = him/it, la = her/it, les = them
Example:
- Je vois le chien. → Je le vois. (I see the dog. → I see it.)
- Je vois la chatte. → Je la vois. (I see the cat. → I see her/it.)
- Je vois les chiens. → Je les vois. (I see the dogs. → I see them.)
How do French direct object pronouns agree with the nouns they replace?
They match the noun in gender and number
Direct object pronouns must match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun they replace.
How to Use Direct Object Pronouns
Direct object pronouns are placed:
- Before a simple conjugated verb:
Je le mange. (I eat it.)
- Before an infinitive:
Je vais le manger. (I’m going to eat it.)
- Before the auxiliary in compound tenses:
Je l’ai mangé. (I have eaten it.)
Example:
- Tu regardes la télé. → Tu la regardes. (You watch TV. → You watch it.)
- Elle va finir les devoirs. → Elle va les finir. (She’s going to finish the homework. → She’s going to finish it.)
- Nous avons pris la voiture. → Nous l’avons prise. (We took the car. → We took it.)
Examples
| French Paragraph | English Paragraph |
|---|---|
| Hier, j’ai vu un film. Je l’ai beaucoup aimé. Ensuite, j’ai lu un livre, mais je ne l’ai pas fini. | Yesterday, I saw a movie. I really liked it. Then, I read a book, but I didn’t finish it. |
- “J’ai vu un film.” → “J’ai vu un film.”
- “Je l’ai beaucoup aimé.” → “Je l’ai beaucoup aimé.” (Direct object pronoun replaces “un film.”)
- “J’ai lu un livre.” → “J’ai lu un livre.”
- “Je ne l’ai pas fini.” → “Je ne l’ai pas fini.” (Direct object pronoun replaces “un livre.”)
Summary
French direct object pronouns (le, la, les):
- Replace direct object nouns
- Appear before the conjugated verb, auxiliary, or infinitive
- Match the noun in gender and number
- Help avoid repetition and make sentences smoother
Understanding direct object pronouns is key to mastering French sentence structure!
Which statement about the placement of French direct object pronouns is true?
They appear before the conjugated verb, auxiliary, or infinitive
Direct object pronouns are always placed before the main verb, whether it's conjugated, an auxiliary, or an infinitive.
Flashcards (1 of 1)
- English Paragraph: Yesterday, I saw a movie. I really liked it. Then, I read a book, but I didn’t finish it.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
