Double Object Pronouns
Pronoms objets - Position et ordre
Before studying this lesson, be sure you understand all of the lessons in the object pronoun index.
The position and order of object, adverbial, and reflexive pronouns can be difficult for French students. All of these pronouns go in front of the verb except when the verb is in the affirmative imperative (see below).
There is a fixed order for double object pronouns:
| me
te se nous vous |
le
la les |
lui leur |
y* | en* |
*These are adverbial pronouns.
Examples
Je montre la carte à mon père - Je la lui montre.
Je mets la carte sur la table - Je l'y mets.
Don't give me the books - Ne me les donnez pas.
He gave them some - Il leur en a donné.
They sent it to us - Ils nous l'ont envoyé.
Exception
In the affirmative imperative, the order of the pronouns is a bit different.
| le la les |
moi / m' toi / t' lui |
nous vous leur |
y | en |
Examples
Give it to me - Donnez-le-moi.
Sell us some - Vendez-nous-en.
Find it for me - Trouvez-le-moi.
Talk to us there - Parlez-nous-y.
Send it to him - Envoyez-le-lui.
Go away - Va t'en.
Notes
- me and te become moi and toi except when they precede y and en
- The pronouns are attached to the verb and to each other by hyphens
Summary
In all sentences except affirmative commands, the pronouns are placed in a fixed order in front of the conjugated verb. In affirmative commands, the pronouns are placed after the verb, attached by hyphens, and are in a slightly different order.
Advanced topics More French word order
Test on double object pronouns Object pronoun index
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