Je t’aime ! Using French Direct Object Pronouns

In this post we’ll learn French direct object pronouns, for example the te (t’) in je t’aime. First, we’ll review what a direct object is. Next we’ll look at the forms of French direct object pronouns. After that we’ll see examples of where they are placed in a sentence. Then, we’ll summarize all of this in a table. Finally, you’ll have a chance to test yourself with some practice exercises.

What Is a Direct Object Pronoun?

First, let’s make sure we understand the grammatical term. A direct object is the person or thing that receives the action of the verb directly, without a preposition. It’s what you read, what you eat, who you love, or who you see. Direct objects can be nouns, for example:

• Je vois Marie.
  I see Marie.
  Marie is the direct object (I see who(m)? Marie).
• Nous finissons les devoirs.
  We are finishing the homework.
  les devoirs is the direct object. (We are finishing what? The homework)

A direct object pronoun is simply a pronoun that replaces this noun to avoid repetition.

• Je la vois.
  I see her.
• Nous les finissons.
  We are finishing them.

Forms of French Direct Object Pronouns

Now let’s look at the forms of French direct object pronouns. Notice that the third person pronouns are just like the definite articles (le, la, les), and nous and vous are the same as the subject pronouns.

Note that me, te, le, and la drop their vowels before vowels or mute h and become m’, t’, and l’. And don’t forget that it will look just like him or her, depending on the gender of the noun it’s replacing.

Position of French Direct Object Pronouns

Next let’s see how to use French direct object pronouns in sentences. For the most part, the pronoun comes before the main verb, but there are some exceptions. We’ll cover each case below.

Affirmative Sentences

In most affirmative sentences, including compound tenses, the direct object pronoun goes before the conjugated verb:

• Je la connais.
  I know her.
• Tu les entends ?
  Do you hear them?
• Il m’appelle tous les jours.
  He calls me every day.
• On les verra demain.
  We’ll see them tomorrow.

In compound tenses, the direct object pronoun comes before the conjugated auxiliary.

• Je l’ai vu hier soir.
  I saw it/him last night.
• Vous l’auriez vu.
  You would have seen it/him.

Agreement on the Past Participle

In cases like the examples above, where the direct object pronoun comes before the past participle, the past participle agrees with the pronoun. So, if the direct object pronoun is feminine instead of masculine, you have:

• Je l’ai vue hier soir.
  I saw it/her last night.
• Vous l’auriez vue.
  You would have seen it/her.

The past participle remains in its basic form (vu, mangé, aimé, etc.) only when the direct object pronoun is masculine and singular. Otherwise, add –e, –s, or –es.

• Les garçons ? Nous les avons vus.
  The boys? We saw them.
• Les filles ? Nous les avons vues.
  The girls? We saw them.
• Paul, je t’ai appelé hier.
  Paul, I called you yesterday.
• Marie, je t’ai appelée hier.
  Marie, I called you yesterday.
• Mes amies, je vous ai appelées.
  My friends (f), I called you yesterday.
• Mes amis, je vous ai appelés.
  My friends (m), I called you yesterday.

Placement Before the Infinitive

In constructions that include an infinitive, the direct object pronoun comes before the infinitive. This is the placement with modal verbs like devoir or vouloir, with the futur proche with aller, and with the passé recent with venir de.

• Je veux les acheter.
  I want to buy them.
• Tu dois le finir !
  You have to finish it!
• Il va la voir demain soir.
  He’s going to see her tomorrow evening.
• Je viens de les voir.
  I’ve just seen them.

Negative Sentences

In negatives, the ne…pas (or other negative structure) wraps around the pronoun + verb. So the direct object pronoun is still directly before the conjugated verb, including the auxiliary avoir.

• Je ne la vois pas.
  I don’t see her.
• Il ne les a pas invités.
  He didn’t invite them.
• Ils ne les ont pas achetées.
  They didn’t buy them.
• Tu ne l’as pas aimé ?
  You didn’t like it?

In negative constructions with infinitives, the direct object pronoun comes before the infinitive.

• Elle ne va pas m’appeler.
  She’s not going to call me.
• Je ne veux pas le faire.
  I don’t want to do it.
• Tu ne devrais pas le lire.
  You shouldn’t read it.

Commands and Imperatives

French direct object pronouns either come before or after the verb in commands. It depends on whether the command is affirmative or negative.

Affirmative Commands

The pronoun comes after the verb and is connected in writing with a hyphen. Just keep in mind that me becomes moi, and te becomes toi, only in affirmative commands.

• Aide-moi !
  Help me!
• Regarde-le !
  Look at him!
• Invitez-les !
  Invite them!
• Écoutez-nous !
  Listen to us!

Negative Commands

In negative commands, the direct object pronoun returns to its position right before the verb, and after ne.

• Ne me touche pas !
  Don’t touch me!
• Ne le regarde pas !
  Don’t look at it!
• Ne les oubliez pas !
  Don’t forget them!

Summary of the Position of French Direct Object Pronouns

Here’s a quick reference table summarizing the placement of direct object pronouns.

Practice

Rewrite each sentence by replacing the direct object nounwith the correct direct object pronoun. Adjust the word order according to the tense and sentence structure. Then translate. Answers are given below.

1. Je regarde le film.
2. Nous invitons Marie.
3. Tu ne connais pas mes amis.
4. Il a pris les clés.
5. Vous allez rencontrer le directeur.
6. Elle n’aime pas le fromage.
7. Aide ta sœur  !
8. Ils finissent leurs devoirs.
9. Ne touchez pas ce chien !
10. Je ne veux pas voir ce film.
11. Nous avons vu la voiture rouge.
12. Mange la pomme !
13. Tu ne comprends pas la question.
14. Elle va appeler ses parents.
15. Je ne vais pas inviter Paul et Sophie.
16. Lisez ce livre, s’il vous plaît.
17. Il déteste les légumes.
18. Donne les jouets à ton frère.
19. Ils ne prennent jamais le métro.
20. Ne regarde pas la télévision !

Get on the road to speaking French with the Language Garage!

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about French direct object pronouns. If you’d like to learn more:

• Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, BlueSky, Twitter, Threads, Mastodon, Instagram, or Pinterest. We publish lots of French vocabulary, grammar, and culture notes, so it’s a great way to pick up some new vocabulary and practice.
• Check out our other posts on French language, culture, and more.
• Enroll in affordable, flexible, and personalized private online French lessons or sign up for a small group online French class.
• Create a free Language Garage account to access tons of French vocabulary, grammar, and culture.

Answer Key

1. Je le regarde. I’m watching it.
2. Nous l’invitons. We’re inviting her.
3. Tu ne les connais pas. You don’t know them.
4. Il les a prises. He took them.
5. Vous allez le rencontrer. You’re going to meet him.
6. Elle ne l’aime pas. She doesn’t like it.
7. Aide-la ! Help her!
8. Ils les finissent. They’re finishing them.
9. Ne le touchez pas ! Don’t touch it!
10. Je ne veux pas le voir. I don’t want to see it.
11. Nous l’avons vue. We saw it (the red car).
12. Mange-la ! Eat it!
13. Tu ne la comprends pas. You don’t understand it.
14. Elle va les appeler. She’s going to call them.
15. Je ne vais pas les inviter. I’m not going to invite them.
16. Lisez-le, s’il vous plaît. Please read it.
17. Il les déteste. He hates them.
18. Donne-les à ton frère. Give them to your brother.
19. Ils ne le prennent jamais. They never take it.
20. Ne la regarde pas ! Don’t watch it!

Photo by Anna Urlapova