Causative construction

Tom A.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Causative construction

On the Lawless French Causative Construction with Objects and Agreement page (https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/faire-causative-2/) there is a cartoon of some kids washing a car with the caption 'Je les fais laver la voiture'. Why is it 'les' and not 'leur'?

Asked 9 hours ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Bonjour Tom,

Is it not simply "I had them wash the car", where "them" are the "agents" of the subject "I"?

Bonne Journée

Jim

Tom A.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

It's just that there is this rule: 'When you have a recipient and an agent, the former is always the direct object and the latter, the indirect object. ' As illustrated by 'Hélène lui fait coudre une robe'.

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Bonjour de nouveau Tom,

Perhaps the meaning is "made them wash the car", so now we have a direct object (les)

Otherwise, let's see what a staff expert can add.

Bonne journée

Jim

Tom A. asked:

Causative construction

On the Lawless French Causative Construction with Objects and Agreement page (https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/faire-causative-2/) there is a cartoon of some kids washing a car with the caption 'Je les fais laver la voiture'. Why is it 'les' and not 'leur'?

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