Un 7.1
Direct Object Pronouns (COD)
To avoid having too much repetition, nouns are often replaced by pronouns. Here, we will look at how direct object pronouns work. In French, there are 7 direct object pronouns: me, te, le, la, nous, vous, les.
Direct Object Pronouns – Les pronoms compléments d’objet direct (COD)
Direct object pronouns are used to replace nouns that directly receive the action of a verb. From context, or from prior communication, the noun that is being replaced needs to be clear to others. Otherwise, no one will know what the direct object pronoun is referring to.
e.g.
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I’m eating the cookie. -> I’m eating it. |
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Our kids hate carrots. -> Our kids hate them. |
In French, direct objects are traditionally referred to as ‘compléments d’objet direct’ (COD). Their pronouns replace nouns that undergo actions from a verb without the use of prepositions. In a standard, affirmative sentence, direct object pronouns are placed in front of their verb (i.e. in front of the verb that ‘acts’ upon the object). Direct object pronouns are used to replace nouns that have (or would have) definite articles. There should not be any doubt about ‘which one’ is being referred to. In francophone dictionaries, verbs taking direct objects are usually referred to as ‘verbes transitifs’.
e.g.
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Je mange le biscuit. -> Je le mange. |
I’m eating the cookie. -> I’m eating it. |
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Nos enfants détestent les carottes. -> Nos enfants les détestent. |
Our kids hate carrots. -> Our kids hate them. |
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Direct Object Pronouns (COD) |
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Corresponding Subject Pronoun |
Pronom COD |
Corresponding Subject Pronoun |
Pronom COD |
|
je |
me |
nous |
nous |
|
tu |
te |
vous |
vous |
|
il elle |
le la |
ils elles |
les |
Similar to subject pronouns, there is no word-for-word equivalent in French for the English pronoun ‘it’. Two different pronouns are used to refer to singular inanimate objects. These two pronouns are needed when referring to people, also. The choice between the 3rd person singular direct object pronouns ‘le’ and ‘la’ depends solely on the grammatical gender of the noun being replaced.
e.g.
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Je déteste le magasin derrière le parc. -> Je le déteste. |
I hate the store behind the park. -> I hate it. |
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Je déteste la tarte spéciale de ton restaurant préféré. -> Je la déteste. |
I hate your favourite restaurant’s special pie. -> I hate it. |
Rules of contraction and liaison apply to direct object pronouns. The pronouns ‘me’, ‘te’, ‘le’ and ‘la’ undergo contraction, and the pronouns ‘nous’, ‘vous’ and ‘les’ undergo liaison, when placed in front of a verb that begins with either a vowel or an unaspirated ‘h’.
e.g.
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Oui, maman et papa, je vous écoute. |
Yes, mom and dad, I’m listening to you. |
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Mon amour, je t’aime ! |
My darling, I love you! |
In sentences with more than one verb or with an auxiliary verb, the direct object pronoun is placed in front of the verb that is performing the action onto them.
e.g.
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Les frites ? Tu vas les manger aussi ? |
The fries? You’re going to eat them too? (‘manger’ is the action being done on the direct object pronoun in this sentence) |
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Les films classiques ? Oui, nous aimons les regarder. |
Classic films? Yes, we like watching them. (‘regarder’ is the action being done on the direct object pronoun in this sentence – cf. ‘Nous les aimons’) |
When used with negation, the direct object pronoun is also placed in front of the conjugated verb, after the first negation particle ‘ne’. The same is true for questions.
e.g.
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-Tu aimes les voisines ? -Non, je ne les aime pas ! |
-Do you like the neighbours? -No, I don’t like them! |
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Le gâteau ? Tu ne l’as pas ?! |
The cake? You don’t have it?! |
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La voiture ? Ne l’adorez-vous pas ? |
The car? Don’t you love it? |
Make sure to not mix up these direct object pronouns with other parts of speech.
e.g.
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Le professeur le présente. |
The professor is presenting it. |
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La fille la cherche. |
The girl is looking for it. |
Similarly, make sure that the verb has the correct conjugation for its subject, and not for any direct object pronouns that may sometimes look like subject pronouns.
e.g.
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On vous adore. |
They adore you. (the verb form is the on-form ‘adore’, not the vous-form ‘adorez’) |
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Vous nous adorez ? |
You adore us? (the verb form is the vous-form ‘adorez’, not the nous-form ‘adorons’) |
