Using personal pronouns
Pronouns usually replace a noun but can occasionally replace an adjective or an entire clause. Their role is to avoid repeating the noun, adjective, or clause they replace. There are many different types of pronouns: personal, demonstrative, possessive, interrogative, and relative. This last type of pronoun is covered in Unit 7 on dependent clauses.
Most of the time, a pronoun replaces a noun or noun phrase. A pronoun can be introduced in a conversation only after everybody knows what or who is being referred to. Note how the referent of the pronoun ils has to be clarified in the following dialogue:
Consider the following paragraph, which has been divided into individual sentences. Note the repetition of the noun Madeleine and of the noun students when no pronoun is used.
In the following sentences, let’s identify which pronouns replace the proper noun Madeleine and where they are placed in the sentence. The first sentence establishes who Madeleine is; she is the main referent in the paragraph. Therefore it is not necessary to repeat her name in every subsequent sentence; pronouns may be used in lieu of her name.
In this first sentence, Madeleine is introduced as the main referent.
In this second sentence, Madeleine (subject of the verb enseigne because she performs the action of teaching) is replaced with the subject pronoun elle.
In this third sentence, Madeleine (direct object of the verb adorentbecause she now receives the action of the verb—she is the one whom they adore) is replaced with the direct object pronoun l’ (a substitute for la before a vowel sound).
In this fourth sentence, Madeleine (indirect object of the verb donnent because she is the one to whom the students give a gift) is replaced by the indirect object lui.
Now consider the last three sentences of the paragraph and note how the noun les élèves is being replaced after it has been mentioned a first time:
In this sentence, les élèves is being mentioned for the first time.
In this sentence, les élèves(the referent) is replaced by the subject pronoun ils.
In this sentence, mes élèves is replaced by the possessive pronoun miens.
These are examples of pronouns, small but powerful words loaded with meaning. Now read the following paragraph of consolidated sentences. Note how the pronouns make sentences less choppy and less redundant, and how the sentences run more smoothly with pronouns than when the same nouns are continually repeated.
Personal pronouns
Personal pronouns refer to persons or inanimate objects. They can perform the functions of subject, direct object, and indirect object in a sentence.
Subject pronouns
Subject pronouns perform the action of the verb. They are placed before the verb in declarative sentences and in interrogative sentences except where the inversion structure is used.
Interrogative/Inverted structure
Subject pronouns (except for je) are placed after the verb in interrogative sentences where inversion is used.
verb + subject pronoun + modifier
Ecoutes- + tu + bien?
Do you listen attentively?
The only personal pronoun–subject that is rarely found after the verb even in the inverted structure of the interrogative is the pronoun je. Here are a few examples of such rare occurrences:
For each sentence write the appropriate subject pronoun on the line provided.
1. Où est Gil? _______________________ est toujours à l’heure!
2. Tu as vu Sarah et Robert? _______________________ sont si heureux!
3. Toi et moi, allons-______________________________ à la soirée ensemble?
4. Juliane, _______________________ est vraiment jolie!
5. Raymond et toi, _______________________ faites un beau couple.
6. Les penguins? _______________________ sont très fidèles!
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate subject pronoun expressing you when addressing the following people.
1. Docteur Andres, comment allez-______________________________?
2. Professeur Dumont, je _______________________ remercie.
3. Cher frère, _______________________ me manques.
4. Chers parents, je _______________________ embrasse.
5. Chère madame, je _______________________ félicite.
6. M. le Directeur, je _______________________ salue.
Stress pronouns
These pronouns in French serve to stress personal subject pronouns and can be placed directly in front of the subject pronoun in a sentence; the two pronouns are then separated by a comma.
Stress pronouns can also be placed at the very end of a sentence and are then separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.
Stress pronouns are also found after prepositions and prepositional phrases as in the following examples:
Impersonal pronoun on
The impersonal pronoun on used in a sentence is the subject of the verb, but as its name indicates it does not refer to a specific person. In English it must be translated intuitively as one, we, people,or you depending on the context.
The pronoun soi refers to the impersonal pronoun on. However, it is not used to stress the subject pronoun on. Rather it is found after a preposition as in the following examples:
Add the appropriate stress pronoun to emphasize the subject pronoun in each sentence.
1. ______________________________, elles font tout ce qu’elles veulent.
2. ______________________________, vous êtes honnête!
3. Tu parles bien français, ______________________________!
4. Je ne sais pas quoi faire, ______________________________.
5. ______________________________, il était en France l’an dernier.
6. ______________________________, elle est restée chez elle hier soir.
7. Ils se sont bien amusés, ______________________________.
8. ______________________________, nous voulons voyager!
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate pronoun to use after each preposition.
1. Je prépare le dîner. Venez tous chez ______________________________!
2. Mes parents sont fatigués. Je fais les courses pour ______________________________.
3. Nous sommes en retard. Cette dame est arrivée avant ______________________________.
4. Tu es sympa. C’est grâce à _______________________ que j’ai réussi à l’examen.
5. Regarde Marie! Qui est ce grand monsieur derrière ______________________________?
6. Puisque vous m’invitez, je vais venir avec ______________________________.
Use the impersonal pronoun on to complete the following sentences by translating the phrases in parentheses into French.
1. ______________________________ de rentrer chez soi. (One is happy)
2. Tout le monde est prêt! ______________________________. (We are leaving)
3. ______________________________ beaucoup dans ce cours! (We learn)
4. ______________________________ au cinéma? (Are we going)
5. ______________________________ cela en public! (One does not say)
6. ______________________________ John? (Should we invite)
Direct object pronouns in declarative sentences
Direct object pronouns replace nouns or noun phrases that receive the action of the verb directly (they are not introduced by a preposition or prepositional phrase).
Consider the following sentences. In the first sentence, Jeanette is the direct object of the verb cherche because she receives the action of that verb. She is the person whom I (je) am looking for. In the second sentence, Jeanette has been replaced with the pronoun la.
Now consider the next example sentences. In the first sentence, sa note is the direct object of the verb a eu because it receives the action of that verb. It is what she got. In the second sentence, sa note has been replaced with the pronoun la, which becomes l’ before the vowel sound of the auxiliary verb a.
In the next group of examples, nos CDis the direct object of the verb apporteronsin the first sentence because it receives the action of that verb. It is the what that we will bring. In the second sentence, nos CD has been replaced with the pronoun les.
Finally, consider the following sentence. Here m’ is the direct object of the verb emmènes because it receives the action of that verb. It is the person whom you are taking along.
Based on the previous examples, we see that a direct object:
Replaces the noun word for a thing or a person
Receives the action of the verb: answers the question Quoi? (What?) or Qui? (Whom?)
Receives the action of the verb directly: there is no preposition between the verb and the
object
Is singular or plural to agree with the noun it replaces
The previous examples also show us that there are direct object pronouns that replace people nouns only, and direct object pronouns that replace people or things.
Direct object pronouns that replace people nouns
Direct object pronouns that receive the action of the verb directly and refer to people only are the following:
Note the position of the pronoun me before the verb conduis and that of the pronoun vous before the verb reconnais.
Note the position of the pronoun nous before the verb invitera.
Note the position of the pronoun t’ before the verb ai vu.
Note the position of the pronoun nous before the infinitive verb rejoindre. In this sentence, nous is not the object of the conjugated verb vont, which is merely a helping verb used to express the near future, but is instead the direct object of the verb rejoindre.
Fill in the blanks with the pronouns me or te.
1. Blandine: Dis donc, Julie, tu veux bien __________ conduire au travail aujourd’hui?
2. Julie: Ta voiture ne marche pas? Bon, bien sûr, je __________ emmènerai.
3. Blandine: Merci. Je __________ dois pour la dernière fois et pour aujourd’hui.
4. Julie: De rien! Il faut s’aider entre sœurs! Tu __________ feras un de tes petits dîners.
5. Blandine: Volontiers! Samedi je __________ ferai une lasagne si tu veux.
Fill in the blanks with the pronouns nous or vous.
1. Le prof: Aujourd’hui je vais __________ donner un contrôle.
2. Les élèves: Oh monsieur! Si vous __________ donnez un contrôle aujourd’hui, nous allons échouer.
3. Le prof: Mais je __________ ai annoncé ce contrôle la dernière fois.
4. Les élèves: Mais hier soir c’était la remise des prix et le directeur __________ a retenus jusqu’à vingt-deux heures.
5. Le prof: Je comprends. Je __________ donnerai ce contrôle demain.
6. Les élèves: Vous êtes trop sympa! Nous __________ rendrons très fiers de nous!
Direct object pronouns that replace nouns for people and things
The following direct object pronouns receive the action of the verb directly and answer the questions Qui? (Whom?) or Quoi?(What?)
Note how in the following sentences, the direct object answers the question Qui?or Quoi? Also note that the direct object pronoun is le when it replaces a masculine person or a thing, it is la when it replaces a feminine person or a thing, and it is les when it replaces plural persons or things.
In each question, underline the noun phrase that can be replaced with a pronoun. Then, to complete each answer, fill in the blanks with the appropriate pronoun (le, la, l’, les).
1. Tu aimes les films psychologiques, Maman? Oui, je __________ adore.
2. Papa va emmener les petits au zoo? Non, il va __________ emmener à la piscine.
3. Vous comptez regarder le dernier film d’Audrey Tatou? Oui, nous allons __________ regarder ce soir.
4. Vous appréciez cette actrice? Oh oui, nous __________ aimons beaucoup.
5. Alors, vous allez voir Audrey aussi aux nouvelles? Bien sûr, nous allons __________ voir à la télé tout à l’heure.
Position of direct object pronouns in declarative sentences
In affirmative, negative, and interrogative declarative sentences, the French direct object pronoun precedes the verb, contrary to English where the pronoun follows the verb in a sentence.
subject + direct object pronoun + verb
Je + vous + rappellerai.
I will call you back.
Note in this example that the verb is in the simple future tense.
In the following examples, you will note that the position of the direct object pronoun is before:
The verb in simple tenses such as the present and simple future
The auxiliary verb in the passé composé
The infinitive in the near future tense
Remember that in the passé composé, the object pronoun precedes the auxiliary verb.
subject + direct object pronoun + auxiliary verb + past participle
Je + vous + ai + appelé.
I called you.
Note that the verb in each of the following sentences is in the passé composé and see how the direct object pronouns precede the auxiliary verbs used.
Remember that in the near future, the object pronoun precedes the infinitive verb.
subject + conjugation of aller + direct object pronoun + infinitive verb Marie + va + nous + retrouver au café.
Each of the following example sentences is in the near future. This tense requires the use of the auxiliary verb allerand an infinitive verb. Note that when the verb is negative, the position of the pronoun remains the same as in the affirmative sentence.
In each question, underline the noun phrase that can be replaced with a direct object pronoun. Then, answer each question using the appropriate pronoun (le, la, l’, les). Be aware of the placement of the pronoun in each answer sentence.
1. Tu as acheté le journal? Oui, ______________________________________________.
2. Le vendeur rend la monnaie? Oui, __________________________________________.
3. Les clients choisissent le Times? Oui, ________________________________________.
4. Tu préfères les magazines? Oui, ____________________________________________.
5. Tu vas lire ces magazines dans l’avion? Oui, ____________________________________.
6. Tu vas jeter les magazines à l’arrivée? Oui, ____________________________________.
Rewrite the answers from Exercice 12-9 in the negative form.
1. Non, _______________________________________________________________________.
2. Non, _______________________________________________________________________.
3. Non, _______________________________________________________________________.
4. Non, _______________________________________________________________________.
5. Non, _______________________________________________________________________.
6. Non, _______________________________________________________________________.
Indirect object pronouns in declarative sentences
These pronouns replace nouns or noun phrases that receive the action of the verb indirectly (because the nouns are preceded by the preposition à or de). In French there are three types of indirect object pronouns. Consider the following example sentence and note how the noun phrase preceded by à or de is replaced by a pronoun:
In the following sentence, the preposition à followed by a noun phrase is implied. The indirect object represents a person who does not need to be named because it is you.
Now consider the following question and answer. In the answer, note that the pronoun leur replaces the preposition à mes parents.
Consider the following question and answer. In the answer, note that the pronoun y replaces à Paris.
Consider the following question and answer. In the answer, note that the pronoun en replaces de la limonade.
In the previous examples, you have seen indirect object noun phrases replaced by pronouns such as te, leur, y, and en. Now let’s look at the other various types of indirect object pronouns and how to appropriately use them.
Indirect object pronouns that replace people nouns
These indirect object pronouns answer the question À qui? (To whom?) The following is a list of these pronouns:
You have seen the pronouns me, te, nous, and vous, in a previous section of this chapter, used as direct object pronouns referring to people. You may recall that they answered the question Qui? (Whom?) The same pronouns can mean to you when they answer the question À qui? (To whom?) In the following sentences, note that the indirect object pronoun always answers the question À qui? (To whom?) Also note that this pronoun often translates into English as you instead of to you, to me, and so on.
Similarly, the pronoun lui (to him/to her) and the pronoun leur (to them)are indirect object pronouns answering the question À qui? (To whom?) In the following sentences, note that lui can be translated into English as him/her instead of to him/to her and the pronoun leur can be translated into English as them instead of to them.
Position of indirect object pronouns
The position of indirect object pronouns in declarative sentences is before the verb.
subject + indirect object pronoun + verb
Nous + vous + répondons.
We are answering you.
Consider the following sentences and focus on the position of the indirect object pronoun. You will notice that it is before:
The verb in simple tenses such as the present and the future
The auxiliary verb in compound tenses such as the passé composé
The infinitive verb in the near future
The position of indirect object pronouns is before the auxiliary verb in the passé composé.
When the verb is in the near future tense, the position of the indirect object pronoun is before the infinitive.
Look at the sentence below. Underline the phrases in the following sentences that are redundant or could be replaced by indirect object pronouns.
Ce matin j’ai téléphoné aux candidats qui se sont présentés pour le poste de secrétaire.
1. J’ai donné rendez-vous aux candidats.
2. J’ai demandé aux candidats de fournir un CV à mon patron avant les entretiens.
3. Maintenant je vais décrire chaque candidat à mon patron.
4. Il pourra préparer les questions qu’il posera aux candidats.
Rewrite the sentences from the previous exercise, replacing the underlined phrases with the appropriate object pronoun lui or leur.
1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________
Construct sentences by placing the following sentence fragments in the right order.
1. m’ / l’office de tourisme / a appelé
2. m’ / a dit / l’employé / chercher les billets / de venir
3. je / lui / ai demandé / si / venir / je pouvais / demain
4. m’ / a répondu / il / que oui
5. nous / l’office de tourisme / les employés de / procurent / toujours / nos billets
6. leur / exprimer / je vais / ma gratitude
Object pronoun y
Another type of object pronoun in French is y. It refers to things only and replaces the preposition à followed by an object. Most of the time—not always—it will translate into English as there because it often refers to a location.
The pronoun y also replaces prepositional phrases that refer to locations such as en France, chez moi, devant la table, sous le lit.For more on prepositional phrases, see Unit 15.
Object pronoun en
This is another type of object pronoun. Just like the pronoun y, en refers to things only. However, it replaces the preposition de followed by a noun or noun phrase. This pronoun has a variety of translations in English.
In each question, underline the à + thing or de + thing phrase that can be replaced by the object pronouns y and en. Then write the appropriate pronoun on the line provided, and answer the question using y or en.
Order of object pronouns in declarative sentences
Often sentences that include an indirect object pronoun also include a direct object pronoun. In such cases, it is necessary to know the order in which these pronouns appear. Consider the following sentences:
In these examples, note that the pronouns me, te, nous, and vous are placed before the direct object pronouns le, la, l’, and les. This is true of the indirect object pronouns lui and leur also, as is shown in the following diagrams:
me, te, nous, vous < le, la, l′, les,
me, te, nous, vous < lui, leur
Now consider the following sentences:
In these examples, note that the direct object pronouns le, la, l’, and les are placed before the indirect object pronouns lui and leur.
Now consider these sentences:
In these examples, note that the direct object pronouns le, la, l’, and les are placed before the indirect object pronouns lui and leur, as is shown in the following diagram:
le, la, l’, les < lui, leur
Now consider this final diagram, which summarizes what we have just learned about the position of a variety of object pronouns in declarative sentences:
me, te, nous, vous < le, la, l’, les < lui, leur
Replace each underlined object noun in the following sentences with an object pronoun and write it/them on the first line. Then rewrite each original sentence, replacing the nouns with those pronouns. Be sure to place the pronouns correctly in the sentences.
1. Suzanne a rencontré Paul au cours d’anglais.
Pronom: _____________________
2. Elle a prêté son livre à Paul.
Pronom: _____________________
3. Le professeur a demandé à Paul et à Suzanne de faire un projet.
Pronom: _____________________
4. Il a félicité Paul et Suzanne quand ils ont fini leur projet.
Pronoms: _____________________
5. Ils ont remercié le professeur.
Pronom: _____________________
6. À la fin du cours, ils ont organisé une fête pour leurs amis. Ils ont préparé cette fête pendant deux semaines.
Pronom: _____________________
For each of the following questions, replace each underlined phrase with a pronoun and write it on the first line. Then, answer the question on the second line, placing the pronoun correctly in the sentence.
1. Rose achète les fleurs chez le fleuriste du coin?
les fleurs: _______________________ chez le fleuriste du coin: ______________________________
Oui, elle _______________________ ______________________________ achète.
2. Elle va offrir les fleurs à sa mère?
les fleurs: _______________________ à sa mère: ______________________________
Oui, elle va _______________________ ______________________________ offrir.
3. Le professeur pose beaucoup de questions à ses élèves?
de questions: _______________________ à ses élèves: ______________________________
Oui, il _______________________ ______________________________ pose beaucoup.
4. Vous donnez des conseils à vos étudiants?
des conseils: _______________________ à vos étudiants: ______________________________
Oui, nous _______________________ ______________________________ donnons.
5. Tu peux prêter ton stylo à ton camarade?
ton stylo: _______________________ à ton camarade: ______________________________
Oui, je peux _______________________ ______________________________ prêter.
6. Tu as cherché ton portable dans ta chambre?
ton portable: _______________________ dans ta chambre: ______________________________
Non, je ne _______________________ ______________________________ ai pas cherché.
Order of object pronouns in imperative affirmative sentences
We have previously seen that object pronouns precede the verb in declarative sentences; we have also seen the order in which several pronouns appear together in such sentences. Now observe that, in imperative affirmative sentences only, object pronouns follow the verb:
Now see how to build imperative affirmative sentences around object pronouns:
In the next examples, note how the pronoun moi transforms into m’ when preceding the pronoun en.
Answer each question with an affirmative command replacing the italicized phrase with the appropriate object pronoun.
1. Je dois faire le ménage? Oui, ______________________________________!
2. Je dois prendre le déjeuner d’abord? Oui, ____________________________!
3. Je dois sortir le chien? Oui, ________________________________________!
4. Je dois mettre mes tennis? Oui, _____________________________________!
5. Je dois te montrer mes devoirs? Oui, _________________________________!
6. Lise et moi, nous devons jeter les ordures? Oui, _________________________!
Answer each question with an affirmative command replacing the italicized phrase with the appropriate object pronoun.
1. Je dois montrer mon essai à Marie? Mais oui, _________________________________!
2. Je dois apprendre la conjugaison à Marie? Mais oui, ___________________________!
3. Je peux te donner mon adresse? Ah oui, _____________________________________!
4. Je peux te demander des conseils? Mais oui, __________________________________!
5. Je peux te chanter cette nouvelle chanson? Bien sûr, ___________________________!
6. Puis-je te montrer mes réponses? Bien sûr, ___________________________________!
Word order in imperative clauses including object pronouns
The word order in affirmative and negative imperative clauses differs whenever object pronouns are included. Consider the following examples of imperative clauses where the verb is in the affirmative form, and note that, when there is an object pronoun, it is after the verb in the English and French clauses alike:
verb + direct object noun/pronoun + ! → imperative clause
Now consider the following examples of imperative clauses where the verb is in the negative form, and note that the placement of the object pronoun remains after the verb in the English clause, but it is now before the verb in the French clause:
Consider the following pairs of negative imperative clauses and note the position of the object noun after the verb and the position of the object pronoun before the verb:
Translate each command into French using the words provided in parentheses. Beware of the placement of the pronoun in the imperative clause!
1. The window? Close it!
La fenêtre? ________________________________________________________! (la / ferme)
2. Your paper? Do not throw it on the floor!
Ton papier? _____________________________________________! (le / ne pas / jette / par terre)
3. The dog? Do not bother him!
Le chien? ____________________________________________________! (le / ne pas / embête)
4. Your friends? Call them!
Tes amis? ___________________________________________________! (les / appelle)
Translate the following sentences into French. Use the familiar tu form when needed.
1. Where is your money? Where did you put it?
2. I saw a twenty-dollar bill right here. Where is it now?
3. OK. I am giving you another twenty-dollar bill. Please, do not lose it!
4. Now let’s find the flowers for your grandma! Where are they?
5. Yes, of course, in the vase. Give them to me, please!
6. We will give them to her together.