Direct/indirect object pronouns

James S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Direct/indirect object pronouns

Okay, don't laugh, but why would chercher take a direct object pronoun? For example, why is it "il les cherche" and not "il leur cherche".

Merci !

Asked 2 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi James, 

I am afraid it is just the way it is.

Il les cherche = He is looking for them

Il me cherche He is looking for me 

Some verbs can have the same meaning and one will have a direct object or an indirect object normally introduced by à -

appeler quelqu'un = to call /ring somebody 

téléphoner à quelqu'un = to call /ring  somebody

Je l'ai appelé/e lundi = I rang him/her on Monday 

Je lui ai téléphoné lundi I ran him/her on Monday 

Hope this helps!

LauraFrench expert and teacher in Kwiziq

Bonjour James -

Sometimes verbs that need a preposition in English don't have one in French. Chercher is one of these - it means "to look for" - the idea of "for" is in the verb itself, so it takes direct objects only.

Other common French verbs without prepositions are

  • attendre (to wait for)
  • demander (to ask for)
  • écouter (to listen to)
  • regarder (to look at)
You just need to memorize these verbs with the full meaning (including the preposition) in order to remember that they take direct objects in French.

James S. asked:

Direct/indirect object pronouns

Okay, don't laugh, but why would chercher take a direct object pronoun? For example, why is it "il les cherche" and not "il leur cherche".

Merci !

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
I'll be right with you...