Which verbs take which object: direct or indirect?

Question

I think I understand the concept of when to use le/la/les vs lui, leur.  However besides the three verbs (téléphoner, parler, demander) you used as examples, I don't know which verbs take a direct or indirect object.    How does one determine which type of object a verb takes?

Accepted Answer

Hi Alvin,
The 3 verbs you mention demander, parler, téléphoner (donner is the same) use "à quelqu'un" after them so with these type of verbs you will use the indirect object pronouns lui and leur.
I don't think you can learn lists of verbs, it is just a case of practising and you will learn which ones sound right.
An interesting little example , compare what happens in the next sentence which has the same meaning, to call someone using the 2 different verbs, appeler quelqu'un and téléphoner à quelqu'un.
J'ai appelé mon frère hier -> Je l'ai appelé hier.
J'ai téléphoné à mon frère hier -> Je lui ai téléphoné hier.
Hope this helps!

Answer

Good question. One I wish could be answered by a simple rule. I guess you just have to study them. After a while you develop some kind of feeling for this. If I remember correctly, Laura has a good site on here webpage. I'd google it.

-- Chris.

Answer

Here is the page I had in mind:

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/direct-vs-indirect-objects/

-- Chris.

Answer

Claus, 
Yeah I wish there was a simple rule because unfortunately Larousse doesn't cover whether the verb should be followed by à, de, etc.

I will review Laura's page.  Thank you for pointing out another article that may help clear things up.

-- Alvin