Object Pronoun Word Order in French
To effectively use French object pronouns, you need to understand what they mean and where they go in the sentence. In the affirmative imperative, direct-object pronouns (like reflexive pronouns) follow the verb and are attached to it with hyphens; in addition, me changes to moi and te changes to toi. This chart shows the object pronoun word order with the affirmative imperative (command):
| Direct Object (3rd Person) |
Direct Object (1st or 2nd Person) or Reflexive Pronoun |
Y (there — refers to place) |
En (some, any, of them) |
| Le |
moi |
y |
en |
| La |
toi |
|
|
| Les |
lui |
|
|
|
|
nous |
|
|
|
|
vous |
|
|
|
|
leur |
|
|
Here’s the word order with everything else, including the negative imperative:
| Reflexive Pronoun, Direct Object (1st or 2nd Person), or
Indirect Object (1st or 2nd Person) |
Direct Object (3rd Person) |
Indirect Object (3rd Person) |
Y (there — refers to place) |
En (some, any, of them) |
| me |
le |
lui |
y |
en |
| te |
la |
leur |
|
|
| se |
les |
|
|
|
| nous |
|
|
|
|
| vous |
|
|
|
|
Language Phrases Glossary
accusative case
When noun or pronoun is the direct object of the verb of the sentence, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
dative case
When noun or pronoun is the indirect object of the verb of the sentence, you are required to switch to the dative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
genitive case
When the noun or pronoun indicates possession, you are required switch to the genitive case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
instrumental case
A Russian grammatical term that indicates that the noun or pronoun assist in the carrying out of an action, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
interrogative
Words used to ask questions, such as who, what, when, where, and why.
Language Phrases Glossary
macron
A small, horizontal mark above the vowel that indicates a long vowel sound. Make the vowel sound like its name.
Language Phrases Glossary
nominative case
When noun or pronoun is the subject of the sentence, you are required to switch to the nominative case ending.
Language Phrases Glossary
prepositional case
A grammatical case that indicates that the noun or pronoun is the object of a preposition, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending. Used with the Russian prepositions: v (v; in), na (nah; on), o (oh; about), and ob (ohb; about).
