“The Replacements” OBJECT PRONOUNS

Qu’est-ce que c’est? Like all pronouns, object pronouns replace the objects of a sentence to avoid repetition. (Think of them as the understudy in a play who often has to replace the lead due to sickness or just needing a day off. Object pronouns replace the object when it is too tired from overuse).

Exemple: Marc aime le poulet. – He likes chicken. Il l’aime. – He likes it. (It is an object pronoun replacing the object, chicken whereas “Il” is a subject pronoun replacing the subject, Marc).

There are many different kinds of OBJECT PRONOUNS.

1. DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS – Answer the question, “What’s being verbed?”

Exemple: We eat dinner at 8:00. (What’s being eaten? = DINNER! That’s the direct object).

LE (him/it) = Masculine/Singular To replace direct objects with pronouns use: object

LA (her/it) = Feminine/Singular object LES (them) = Plural objects *LE/LA become L’ in front of a vowel

Where does the pronoun go in the sentence? Present tense = 1 verb = Before the verb! Exemple: Nous mangeons le dîner à 8h. Nous le mangeons à 8h. (We’re eating it at 8:00).

2. INDIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS – Answer the question, “To/for whom is the action being done?” (*Indirect objects are almost always people or animals and in French they usually start with au/à la/à l’/aux/à + a person/animal)

Exemple: My friend is giving a gift to Christophe. (To/for whom is the gift being given? = TO CHRISTOPHE! That’s the indirect object). LUI (to/for him/her/it) – à + To replace indirect objects with pronouns use: Masc. or Fem. Singular object LEUR (to/for them) – à + Plural object

Where does the pronoun go in the sentence? Present tense = 1 verb = Before the verb! Exemple: Mon ami donne un cadeau à Christophe. Mon ami lui donne un cadeau. (My friend is giving a gift to him).

3. Y – Replaces places/locations OR à (au/à la/à l’/aux) + noun (other than a person)

Exemple: Je vais au cinéma ce week-end. (Where’s the place/location or à + noun? AU CINÉMA! Replace it with “Y”).

Y (there/it) - replaces places/locations or à + noun

Where does the pronoun go in the sentence? Present tense = 1 verb = Before the verb! Exemple: Je joue au foot le week-end. J’y joue le week-end. (I’m playing it this weekend).

4. EN – Replaces quantities or numbers of things + de (du/de la/de l’/des) + noun

Exemple: J’ai besoin de deux kilos de pommes. (Where’s the quantity or number? DEUX KILOS DE POMMES! Replace with “EN”). EN (some, any, of them) –

replaces quantities, numbers or de +

noun

Where does the pronoun go in the sentence? Present tense = 1 verb = Before the verb! Exemple: Je veux du lait, s’il vous plaît. J’en veux, s’il vous plaît. (I want some please).

ORDER OF PRONOUNS: When there is more than one thing that can be replaced in a sentence you MUST use the correct order of pronouns. They will still be placed in the same position in the sentence. You’ll just have more than one in a row…

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5

ME LE LUI Y EN TE LA LEUR NOUS LES VOUS *Le/La become L’ in front of vowels

*We’ll learn these soon!