français · A2 · grammar · 4 minutes
Direct object pronouns
Replace a known object with le, la, l’, or les before the conjugated verb.
Understand the choice
An object pronoun prevents repetition only after listeners know the noun. Identify whether the original verb takes the object directly, choose gender and number from that noun, and move the pronoun before the verb.
Core rule: Le, la, l’, and les replace direct objects and normally stand before the conjugated verb.
Notice it in context
Cette veste me plaît, alors je la prends.
I like this jacket, so I am taking it.
La replaces feminine singular cette veste and precedes prends.
Tu connais ces chansons ? Oui, je les connais.
Do you know these songs? Yes, I know them.
Les replaces plural ces chansons and appears before connais.
Le message, je ne l’ai pas reçu.
The message, I did not receive it.
L’ stands before the auxiliary inside the negation.
What to remember
- Me, te, nous, and vous can also be direct objects when no preposition separates them from the verb.
- With an infinitive, the pronoun usually stands immediately before that infinitive: je vais la prendre.
Common trap: Do not leave the pronoun after the verb as in English. Say je la prends, not je prends la.