Direct object pronouns – le, la, l', les
Je le vois, je la connais
A direct object receives the action of the verb directly, with no preposition: I see Paul, *I eat the apple*. To avoid repeating it, use a direct object pronoun**.
The pronouns
| me (m') | me |
|---|---|
| te (t') | you |
| le (l') | him, it (masculine) |
| la (l') | her, it (feminine) |
| nous | us |
| vous | you |
| les | them |
Position: before the verb
Unlike English, the pronoun goes in front of the conjugated verb:
- Tu vois Paul ? – Oui, je le vois.Do you see Paul? – Yes, I see him.
- Tu aimes cette chanson ? – Oui, je l'aime.Do you like this song? – Yes, I like it.
- Tu connais mes parents ? – Oui, je les connais.Yes, I know them.
- Il m'invite à dîner.He's inviting me to dinner.
Negative
- Je ne le vois pas.I don't see him.
With an infinitive
The pronoun goes before the verb it's the object of, usually the infinitive:
- Je vais l'acheter.I'm going to buy it.
- Tu peux m'aider ?Can you help me?
In the passé composé
Before the auxiliary, and the participle agrees with the pronoun: Cette robe ? Je l'ai achetée hier. See Past participle agreement with a preceding direct object.
Direct or indirect?
Some verbs that take a direct object in French take a preposition in English, and vice versa: écouter, regarder, chercher, attendre are direct (je l'attends = I'm waiting for him). Téléphoner, parler, répondre are indirect: Indirect object pronouns.
Practice
- Tu manges la pomme ? – Oui, je _____ mange.Options: la · le · lui
Show the answer
la
- Tu connais Marc ? – Oui, je _____ connais.Options: le · la · lui
Show the answer
le
- Tu as les billets ? – Oui, je _____ ai.Options: les · leur · le
Show the answer
les
- Il _____ aime.Options: l' · la · lui
Show the answer
l'
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.