French Pronouns
There are many different kinds of French pronouns; master them with these detailed lessons.
French Pronouns
Pronouns are words that substitute for nouns. There are a lot of different kinds of pronouns, which can make it very confusing to try to figure out what's what. This summary table will give you an idea of the different kinds of French pronouns and includes links to detailed lessons and quizzes.
Pronouns are words that substitute for nouns. There are a lot of different kinds of pronouns, which can make it very confusing to try to figure out what's what. This summary table will give you an idea of the different kinds of French pronouns and includes links to detailed lessons and quizzes.
Adverbial Pronouns (Y, En)
The adverbial pronouns y and en are so tiny that one might think their role in a sentence is not very important, but in fact quite the opposite is true. They are both extremely important in French.
The adverbial pronouns y and en are so tiny that one might think their role in a sentence is not very important, but in fact quite the opposite is true. They are both extremely important in French.
Demonstrative Pronouns (Celui, Celle, Ceux, Celles)
Demonstrative pronouns (this one, that one, the one[s], these, those) refer to a previously-mentioned noun in a sentence. They must agree with the gender and number of the noun(s) they replace
Demonstrative pronouns (this one, that one, the one[s], these, those) refer to a previously-mentioned noun in a sentence. They must agree with the gender and number of the noun(s) they replace
Direct Object Pronouns (Me, Te, Le...)
Direct object pronouns replace the direct object.
Direct object pronouns replace the direct object.
Disjunctive / Stressed Pronouns (Moi, Toi, Lui...)
Stressed pronouns, also known as disjunctive pronouns, are used to emphasize a noun or pronoun that refers to a person.
Stressed pronouns, also known as disjunctive pronouns, are used to emphasize a noun or pronoun that refers to a person.
Indefinite Pronouns (Autre, Certain, Plusieurs...)
French indefinite pronouns, sometimes called affirmative indefinite pronouns, are unspecific and are used in place of nouns. Learn all about French indefinite pronouns like autre, d'autres, certain, chacun, and tout.
French indefinite pronouns, sometimes called affirmative indefinite pronouns, are unspecific and are used in place of nouns. Learn all about French indefinite pronouns like autre, d'autres, certain, chacun, and tout.
Indefinite Demonstrative Pronouns (Ce, Ceci, Cela, Ça)
Indefinite (aka neuter or invariable) demonstrative pronouns do not have a specific antecedent and thus do not have different forms for gender and number.
Indefinite (aka neuter or invariable) demonstrative pronouns do not have a specific antecedent and thus do not have different forms for gender and number.
Indefinite Relative Pronouns (Ce qui, Ce que, Ce dont, Quoi)
Indefinite relative pronouns link relative clauses to a main clause when there is no specific antecedent.
Indefinite relative pronouns link relative clauses to a main clause when there is no specific antecedent.
Indirect Object Pronouns (Me, Te, Lui...)
Indirect objects are the people in a sentence to or for whom the action of the verb occurs. Indirect object pronouns are the words that replace the indirect object, and in French they can only refer to a person.
Indirect objects are the people in a sentence to or for whom the action of the verb occurs. Indirect object pronouns are the words that replace the indirect object, and in French they can only refer to a person.
Indirect Object Pronouns and Verbs
In French, à plus a person can usually be replaced by an indirect object pronoun that gets placed in front of the verb (e.g., Il me parle). However, a few French verbs and expressions do not allow a preceding indirect object pronoun - instead, they require that you keep the preposition after the verb, and follow it with a stressed pronoun.
In French, à plus a person can usually be replaced by an indirect object pronoun that gets placed in front of the verb (e.g., Il me parle). However, a few French verbs and expressions do not allow a preceding indirect object pronoun - instead, they require that you keep the preposition after the verb, and follow it with a stressed pronoun.
Informal Pronoun Pronunciation and Grammar
Learn about how pronouns are pronounced and used informally.
Learn about how pronouns are pronounced and used informally.
Interrogative Pronouns (Qui vs Que)
Learn how to use qui and que to ask questions.
Learn how to use qui and que to ask questions.
Negative Pronouns (Aucun, Personne...)
French negative pronouns, sometimes called indefinite negative pronouns, are used to negate, refuse, or cast doubt on the existence of the noun that they replace.
French negative pronouns, sometimes called indefinite negative pronouns, are used to negate, refuse, or cast doubt on the existence of the noun that they replace.
Neuter Object Pronoun (Le)
The French pronoun le can be a neuter object pronoun in certain constructions. The neuter object pronoun is optional; its usage is formal and is most common in written French.
The French pronoun le can be a neuter object pronoun in certain constructions. The neuter object pronoun is optional; its usage is formal and is most common in written French.
Object Pronouns (Me, Te, Le, Lui...)
Object pronouns are those tricky little words in sentences that replace nouns affected by verbs. There are two types: direct objects and indirect objects, and they are some of the most common French words.
Object pronouns are those tricky little words in sentences that replace nouns affected by verbs. There are two types: direct objects and indirect objects, and they are some of the most common French words.
Object Pronouns - position and order
Lesson and quiz on using two object pronouns together.
Lesson and quiz on using two object pronouns together.
Possessive Pronouns (Mien, Tiens, Siennes...)
Lesson and quiz on mine, yours, his, etc.
Lesson and quiz on mine, yours, his, etc.
Reflexive Pronouns (Me, Te, Se, Nous, Vous)
Reflexive pronouns are a special kind of French pronoun which are used only with pronominal verbs. These verbs need a reflexive pronoun in addition to a subject pronoun because the subject(s) performing the action of the verb are the same as the object(s) being acted upon.
Reflexive pronouns are a special kind of French pronoun which are used only with pronominal verbs. These verbs need a reflexive pronoun in addition to a subject pronoun because the subject(s) performing the action of the verb are the same as the object(s) being acted upon.
Relative Pronouns (Qui, que, lequel, dont, où)
Like its English counterpart, a French relative pronoun links a dependent/relative clause to a main clause. Que, qui, lequel, dont, and où are the French relative pronouns, and there's no one-to-one equivalent for these words - depending on context, the English translation may be who, whom, that, which, whose, where, or when.
Like its English counterpart, a French relative pronoun links a dependent/relative clause to a main clause. Que, qui, lequel, dont, and où are the French relative pronouns, and there's no one-to-one equivalent for these words - depending on context, the English translation may be who, whom, that, which, whose, where, or when.
Subject Pronouns (Je, Tu, Il...)
Learn about French subject pronouns.
Learn about French subject pronouns.
Le - Neuter Object Pronoun
The French pronoun le can be a neuter object pronoun in certain constructions. The neuter object pronoun is optional; its usage is formal and is most common in written French.
The French pronoun le can be a neuter object pronoun in certain constructions. The neuter object pronoun is optional; its usage is formal and is most common in written French.
Lequel
Lequel, which usually means "which," is arguably the most difficult French pronoun, for several reasons.
Lequel, which usually means "which," is arguably the most difficult French pronoun, for several reasons.
Même
The French word même can be an indefinite adjective, indefinite pronoun, or adverb, and is also used in a number of expressions, making it an extremely versatile and useful French word.
The French word même can be an indefinite adjective, indefinite pronoun, or adverb, and is also used in a number of expressions, making it an extremely versatile and useful French word.
On - Indefinite Subject Pronoun
On is the indefinite French subject pronoun, used mainly in colloquial French. Learn to use it here and discover the grammatical debate surrounding it.
On is the indefinite French subject pronoun, used mainly in colloquial French. Learn to use it here and discover the grammatical debate surrounding it.
On vs L'On
On is the French impersonal subject pronoun, and normally shouldn't be preceded by l' - neither the direct object nor the definite article. However, if you've been studying French for a while, particularly written French, you've probably seen l'on where you expected to find on and wondered what that l' was doing there. Here's everything you need to know.
On is the French impersonal subject pronoun, and normally shouldn't be preceded by l' - neither the direct object nor the definite article. However, if you've been studying French for a while, particularly written French, you've probably seen l'on where you expected to find on and wondered what that l' was doing there. Here's everything you need to know.
Quiconque
Quiconque is a formal French word, found mainly in formal registers such as law and other administrative jargons. It can be an indefinite relative pronoun or an indefinite pronoun.
Quiconque is a formal French word, found mainly in formal registers such as law and other administrative jargons. It can be an indefinite relative pronoun or an indefinite pronoun.
Se
Se is one of the most often misused French pronouns. It can only be used in two kinds of constructions, so check out this lesson to get "unconfused." :-)
Se is one of the most often misused French pronouns. It can only be used in two kinds of constructions, so check out this lesson to get "unconfused." :-)
Soi
Soi is another oft-confused French pronoun. It is used only for unspecified persons. Need more info? See the lesson!
Soi is another oft-confused French pronoun. It is used only for unspecified persons. Need more info? See the lesson!
Tel
The French word tel can be a qualifying adjective, an indefinite adjective, or an indefinite pronoun, and is also used in a number of expressions and conjunctions, making it an extremely versatile and useful French word.
The French word tel can be a qualifying adjective, an indefinite adjective, or an indefinite pronoun, and is also used in a number of expressions and conjunctions, making it an extremely versatile and useful French word.
Tout
Learn all about the French pronoun tout.
Learn all about the French pronoun tout.
Tu vs Vous
It is essential to understand the difference between the two words for "you."
It is essential to understand the difference between the two words for "you."
Un vs L'un
What's the difference between un and l'un? Isn't the second one kind of redundant? Learn about when and why to use l'un in place of un in this lesson.
What's the difference between un and l'un? Isn't the second one kind of redundant? Learn about when and why to use l'un in place of un in this lesson.