French 2 / Unit 6: Object Pronouns
6.4 Placement of Pronouns
Notes
Pronouns go before the conjugated verb, except with an infinitive and in affirmative commands (Unit 9).
| Situation | Placement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | before the verb | Je le vois. |
| Negative | ne + pronoun + verb + pas | Je ne le vois pas. |
| With an infinitive | before the infinitive | Je vais le voir. |
| Passé composé | before the auxiliary | Je l'ai vu. Je ne l'ai pas vu. |
- In the passé composé, a direct object pronoun (le, la, les) before the verb makes the participle agree with it: J'ai vu la fille. → Je l'ai vue. Il a pris les clés. → Il les a prises.
- Y, en and indirect pronouns do not cause agreement.
Practice
Which sentence is correct for "I am going to see it" (le film)?
With an infinitive, the pronoun goes before the infinitive.
Which sentence is correct for "I did not see her" (Marie)?
Ne goes before the pronoun, pas after avoir, and the participle agrees with the feminine object her.
Which sentence correctly says "She ate them" (les gâteaux)?
The pronoun goes before avoir, and the participle agrees with the preceding masculine plural object.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 6 test.