In English we have different pairs of words like I/me, he/him, she/her, we/us, you/you which we use depending on which 'side' of a verb they're on:
e.g. She admires her
I give it to him (or, I give him it)
He gives it to me (or, He gives me it)
(Notice that in the cases with 'to', the words can switch around and the 'to' vanishes, and something very similar happens in French with verbs that have à in them)
These are called subject pronouns (left) and object pronouns (right).
French has similar pairs which we use:
| Subject Pronoun | Object Pronoun |
| je | me |
| tu | te |
| nous | nous |
| vous | vous |
See how they get used in real sentences:
Je me demande si c'est possible.
I ask myself if it's possible.
Je te parle.
I'm speaking to you.
Tu nous parles
You're speaking to us
Je vous attends
I'm waiting for you
Note that they always come before the verb.
And when followed by a vowel or mute "h", me and te become m' and t' .
Grammar note: Remember verbs always have a subject (je/tu etc.) but only some have objects. Use object pronouns to replace nouns that are the object of the verb.
Tip: If the words "object pronoun" strike horror and panic into your heart, take a look at the cartoon video in the examples which explains them. They're actually pretty easy to figure out.
See also Position of direct and indirect object pronouns with negation
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Q&A
Ronald
Kwiziq community member
18/02/19
Now I see my error! The second option "vous décrivez" should be "vous décris" so that the whole sentence would be:
Je décris les gens et je vous décris parfaitement.
Cécile
Kwiziq language super star
20/02/19
Tout à fait, Ronald!
Cécile
Kwiziq language super star
7/10/18
Hi Ca,
This is because of the order of multiple pronouns in a French sentence-
The direct object pronouns (les) will be before the indirect object ones (lui).
Take a look at the following lesson for further examples:
Using direct and indirect object pronouns together (double object pronouns)
Hope this helps!
ca
Kwiziq community member
8/10/18
Hi, I just check that.
ll envoie les fleurs à Sophie
To
ll les lui envoie.
ll te la envoie.
Is the only way say this?
is ll lui... In any situation would be wrong?
Cécile
Kwiziq language super star
9/10/18
Hi Ca,
Il les lui envoie = Il envoie les fleurs à Sophie
Il te l'envoie = Il envoie la lettre/le livre à toi
Il te les envoie = Il envoie les fleurs à toi
Il lui parle/envoie = he speaks /sends to him/her
Hope this helps, let me know if still unclear....
Chris
Kwiziq community member
9/10/18
Here is a nice self contained article which explains the pronomial order in French:
https://www.dummies.com/languages/french/object-pronoun-word-order-in-french/
ca
Kwiziq community member
11/10/18
Hi Cécile,
Do you mean ll lui is possible to use like ll lui parle/ll lui envoie
but if ll les lui that's the only way to explain ll envoie les fleurs à Sophie.
ll lui les, les can't be the indirect object here?
ca
Kwiziq community member
11/10/18
Cécile
Kwiziq language super star
11/10/18
Hi Ca,
You cannot say :
Il lui les
always -
Il les lui ....envoie
ca
Kwiziq community member
12/10/18
Hi Cécile,
Merci beaucoup.
Chris
Kwiziq community member
14/09/18
Cécile
Kwiziq language super star
8/07/18
Bonjour Kyaw,
Je le lui ai donné = I gave it to him ( it 'being singular and male in French e.g. le stylo)
Je la lui ai donnée = I gave it to him ( it being singular and female e.g. la valise )
Hope this helps!
Kyaw
Kwiziq community member
8/07/18
Chris
Kwiziq community member
15/01/18
Only context would tell. No way to tell from this sentence alone.
-- Chris (not a native speaker).
ca
Kwiziq community member
17/01/18
Chris
Kwiziq community member
17/01/18
Faithandrews
Kwiziq community member
8 March 2019
3 replies
Why is the sentence structure changing?( Why is the object pronoun placed before the noun.....as in Subject -Object- Verb?
Which type of sentence structure does French use?
Faithandrews
Kwiziq community member
8 March 2019
8/03/19
I am confused tho, I think my question is more like '' Why would the object pronoun come immediately after a subject pronoun?)
Chris
Kwiziq community member
11 March 2019
11/03/19
Hm. I can't think of a reason except for "that's just how it is". Word order is usually very specific in French.
Faithandrews
Kwiziq community member
14 March 2019
14/03/19
Thank you for your reply.