What Are Indirect Object Pronouns?
Indirect object pronouns replace nouns that receive the action of the verb indirectly—usually the person to whom something is given, told, shown, or sent. For example, in the sentence “I give the book to Marie,” Marie is the indirect object.
In French, the indirect object pronouns are:
- me (to me)
- te (to you, informal)
- lui (to him, to her)
- nous (to us)
- vous (to you, formal or plural)
- leur (to them)
When to Use Indirect Object Pronouns
Use indirect object pronouns with verbs that require “à” before the indirect object, such as:
- donner à (to give to)
- dire à (to say/tell to)
- parler à (to speak to)
- écrire à (to write to)
- envoyer à (to send to)
- téléphoner à (to call someone)
For example:
- Je lui parle. (I’m talking to him/her.)
- Tu leur écris. (You’re writing to them.)
Where Do Indirect Object Pronouns Go in a Sentence?
In French, indirect object pronouns usually come directly before the conjugated verb. For compound tenses like passé composé, they still come before the auxiliary verb.
- Je lui donne le livre. (I give him/her the book.)
- Nous te parlons. (We’re talking to you.)
- Il leur a écrit. (He wrote to them.)
With an infinitive, the pronoun goes before the infinitive:
- Je vais lui parler. (I’m going to talk to him/her.)
- Nous voulons leur téléphoner. (We want to call them.)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Confusing direct and indirect objects: Remember that indirect objects always require “à.” For example, “Je vois Marie” (I see Marie) uses a direct object, so you’d use “la” not “lui.”
- Forgetting agreement: Unlike direct object pronouns, indirect object pronouns never agree in gender or number with the past participle in passé composé.
- Using “lui” for plural: Use “leur” for “to them,” not “lui.”
Tips for Practicing Indirect Object Pronouns
To internalize indirect object pronouns, regular practice is essential. Here are some effective strategies:
- Write out example sentences and swap out the nouns for pronouns.
- Quiz yourself using flashcards.
- Practice with interactive exercises on language learning platforms like Talkpal, where AI-powered feedback helps you spot and fix mistakes.
- Listen to French dialogues and pay attention to how native speakers use pronouns.
Test Your Understanding
Try converting these sentences by replacing the underlined indirect object with the correct pronoun:
- Je donne le cadeau à Sophie. (I give the present to Sophie.)
- Nous parlons à nos amis. (We talk to our friends.)
- Tu téléphones à ta mère ce soir. (You call your mother tonight.)
Answers: Je lui donne le cadeau. Nous leur parlons. Tu lui téléphones ce soir.
Conclusion
Understanding and correctly using indirect object pronouns is a crucial skill for anyone learning French. With regular practice and attention to context, you’ll soon find that these pronouns become second nature. For more tips, explanations, and interactive exercises, check out the Talkpal AI language learning blog—your go-to resource for mastering French and boosting your confidence in conversation!
