French grammar - Order of pronouns |
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In the case where we have both a direct object pronoun and an indirect object pronoun the order in which they appear in a sentence is an issue. -- For instance do we say je le lui fais or je lui le fais ('I do it for him/her') ? We know that both the object pronoun and the indirect object pronoun should come before the verb - but which one first? The rule is pretty straight forward: • The indirect pronouns me, te, se, nous and vous come before the direct object pronouns. • The indirect pronouns lui and leur always come after the direct object pronouns. In general with negation the ne.. pas encompasses both pronouns and (present tense) verb. There are exceptions. |
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Je le lui donne.
I am giving it to him∆her.
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Tu me le demandes.
You (familiar) are asking me. |
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Il les leur apporte.
He is bringing them (plural) to them.
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Je vous donne cette carte. Je vous la donne.
I am giving you (formal) this card. I am giving it to you. |
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Ils le leur demandent.
They ask them that.
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Nous vous le demandons.
We are asking you (plural) that. |
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Nicolas t'achète ce café ? Oui, il me l'achète.
Is Nicolas buying you (familiar) that coffee? Yes, he is buying it for me. |
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Nicolas achète du thé pour Perrine. Il le lui achète.
Nicolas is buying some tea for Perrine. He is buying it for her. |
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Tu ne le lui donnes pas.
You (familiar) are not giving it to him.
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Ne le lui donnez-vous pas ?
Aren't you (formal) giving it to him?
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Pouvez-vous nous le faire ?
Can you (formal) do it for us? |
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Pourquoi ne pouvez-vous pas nous le donner ?
Why can't you (formal) give it to us?
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Je ne veux pas le lui donner.
I don't want to give it to him.
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Où est mon mouchoir ? Je vous le cherche.
Where's my handkerchief? I'm looking for it for you (formal).
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