FRENCH NOTE 74 DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS CONTINUATION

FRENCH NOTE 74 DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUN ( CONTINUATION )
1. Place of direct object pronoun in the case of compound tenses like passé composé.
In such cases , the direct object pronoun will be placed before the auxiliary verb. Study the
following examples.
1. Elle a écrit une lettre.
Elle l'a écrite .
Please note that " une lettre" is replaced by " la". It is placed before the auxiliary verb " a".
Further when the auxiliary verb is preceded by a direct object, the past participle will agree
in number and gender with the direct object. That is the reason for " écrite " in the second
sentence given above. " une lettre " is replaced by " la" which is singular feminine noun.
Therefore the passé participe agrees in number and gender with the direct object. So we
add a " e" to " écrit" . " écrit becomes " écrite "
2. Le gendarme a tué les criminels.
Le gendarme les a tués.
3. Jean a acheté les chemises rouges.
Jean les a achetées .


2. Place of Direct object pronoun if one of the verbs is in the form of infinitive.
When one of the verbs is in infinitive form , the direct object pronoun is placed before the
infinitive. Study the following examples.
1. Je veux acheter une voiture.
Je veux l'acheter .
2. J'aime appeler mes amis.
J'aime les appeler .
3. Elle adore lire les romans de Tolstoy.
Elle adore les lire.
Kindly note in the above sentences the DIRECT OBJECTS are the objects of the verbs
in infinitive form. Hope this point is clear to you.


3. DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS IN THE CASE OF IMPERATIVE SENTENCES
a) IMPERATIVE. AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES
In the case of imperative affirmative sentences , the DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS
are placed after the verb. Study the following examples.
Donnez ce livre
Donnez- le.
Porte cette chemise
Porte- la.
Lisons ces journaux
Lisons - les.
b) IMPERATIVE NEGATIVE SENTENCES
In the case of imperative negative sentences, the DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS
are placed before the verb as per the general rule. Study the following examples.
Ne prenez pas ce livre.
Ne le prenez pas.
Ne gênez pas votre mère .
Ne la gênez pas.


4. Place of DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS in the case of Interrogative sentences ( questions )
In the case of questions also , the DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS are placed before the verb.
Study the following examples.
Aimez-vous cette femme ?
L'aimez-vous ?
Conduit - il cette voiture ?
La conduit- il ?
I think by now you have understood the Direct Object Pronouns clearly. In the next post,
let us discuss INDIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS . If I had omitted any important points
in respect of DIRECT OBJECT PRONOUNS, kindly let me know .
Happy learning !
Sayee Jayaraman
07/04/2015
Chennai.