Order of pronouns

Order of pronouns
You have already learned about different types of pronouns, including direct object pronouns, indirect
object pronouns, the pronoun y, and the pronoun en. Let’s start by reviewing each pronoun and how
it is used.
A direct object pronoun replaces the direct object of the sentence. Here is a table summarizing the
direct object pronouns.
Singular me te le, la, l’
Plural nous vous les
Est-ce que Nicolas a oublié sa valise ? (Did Nicolas forget his suitcase?)
Oui, il l’a oubliée. (Yes, he forgot it [feminine direct object = feminine agreement on past
participle].)
The indirect object pronoun replaces the indirect object of a sentence. The indirect object is always
preceded by the preposition à + a person. Review each indirect object pronoun below.
Singular me te lui
Plural nous vous leur
As-tu parlé aux enfants ? (Did you speak to the children?)
Non, je ne leur ai pas parlé. (No, I did not speak to them.)
The pronoun y is used for places introduced by any preposition besides de, and for things preceded
by the preposition à.
Comment vas-tu aller à la fête ce soir ? (How are you going to the party tonight?)
Je vais y aller en voiture. (I’m going to go there by car.)
The pronoun en is used for a place or thing preceded by the preposition de, or for a person or thing
preceded by an indefinite article, a partitive article, or a number or expression of quantity.
Voudriez-vous une part de gâteau ? (Would you like a piece of cake?)
Ah oui, j’en voudrais bien une, merci. (Oh yeah, I would love to have one, thanks.)
© 2011 Middlebury Interactive Languages. All rights reserved. This material is intended for the exclusive use of registered users only. No portion of these
materials may be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express permission of Middlebury Interactive Languages.

In French, it is not unusual to have several pronouns in a sentence. If that is the case, each pronoun
follows a very specific order. The object direct pronouns will come first, followed by the indirect object
pronoun, followed by y, and by en. Remember that every pronoun must be placed before the verb it
is referring to. Here is a list of pronouns and their respective order. Note that you can’t use every
single one of these pronouns together, but that this is a general list for the ordering of pronouns when
you use a few of them together.
Subject + (ne) +
me
te le lui
se + la + leur
nous
vous
les
+ y + en + verb + (pas)
Est-ce que tu as acheté les pommes au marché ? (Did you buy the apples at the market?)
Oui, je les y ai acheté. (Yes, I bought them there.)
Tu as donné de l’argent à la vendeuse ? (Did you give some money to the cashier?)
Oui, je lui en ai donné. (Yes, I gave her some.)
When using the imperative form, the order of pronouns will change, and the pronouns will be placed
after the verb, in this manner:
verb +
le
moi
toi
la
les
+
lui
nous
vous
leur
Apportez la lettre à Monsieur Jean ! (Bring the letter to Monsieur Jean!)
Apportez-la-lui ! (Bring it to him!)
+ y + en
Laissez les enfants chanter à la chorale ! (Let the children sing at the choir!)
Laissez-les-y chanter ! (Let them sing there!)
Notice that the order is still the same as in affirmative statements (direct object pronoun, followed by a
indirect object pronoun, followed by y, and en) but the verb will come first. In the command form, me
and te become moi and toi, and they become m’ and t’ if placed right before y or en.
Tu veux des bonbons ? (Do you want some candy?)
© 2011 Middlebury Interactive Languages. All rights reserved. This material is intended for the exclusive use of registered users only. No portion of these
materials may be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express permission of Middlebury Interactive Languages.

Oui, donne m’en ! (Yes, give me some!)
When the command is negative, then the order of pronouns will be the same as in affirmative
statements.
Ne dis pas à Pierre d’aller à Paris. (Do not tell Pierre to go to Paris.)
Ne lui dis pas d’y aller. (Do not tell him to go there.)
Remember to practice pronouns so you can avoid repetitions.
© 2011 Middlebury Interactive Languages. All rights reserved. This material is intended for the exclusive use of registered users only. No portion of these
materials may be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express permission of Middlebury Interactive Languages.