Start learning free

Multiple Pronouns in the Sentence

CONTENT
  1. Two Object Pronouns
  2. Adverbial Pronouns
  3. Regular Pronoun Order
  4. Stay Cautious

When there are two pronouns in a sentence, it can be challenging to decide which goes where. Here are a few simple rules.

Native

Translation

Je le lui ai donné.

I gave it to him.

Two Object Pronouns

Rule 1: The direct object pronouns le, la, les come after the indirect object pronouns me, te, nous, vous.

Native

Translation

Le cadeau, je te le passe.

The gift, I give it to you.

Rule 2: But the direct object pronouns le, la, les come before the indirect pronouns lui and leur.

Native

Translation

Cette bague, je vais la lui offrir.

This ring, I'll give it to him.

Adverbial Pronouns

Rule 2: The pronouns y (there, to there) and en (some, some of) are always behind all other pronouns. If both are there, then en is at the very end.

Native

Translation

Je lui ai donné de la confiture. Je lui en ai donné.

I gave him jam. I gave him some.

Je t'y emmène volontiers.

I'm happy to take you there with me.

Il n'y a plus de vin dans la cave. Il n'y en a plus.

There is no wine left in the cellar. There is none left there.

Regular Pronoun Order

Rule 3: In the vast majority of situations, here is how the regular pronoun order would work:

123456
Subject pronoun me, te se, nous, vous le, la, les lui, leur y, en conjugated verb

Indicative Pronoun Order

Rule 4: In the affirmative imperative sentence, pronouns follow the verb directly and are connected to it and each other with hyphens in the next order:

1234
Verb in the imperative le, la, les moi, toi, lui, nous, vous, leur y, en

For example:

Native

Translation

Donne-le-moi.

Give it to me.

Stay Cautious

Two pronouns is the limit in one sentence. If the sentence requires to use more, reword it to remove the spare pronouns.

Also, stay cautious when using two pronouns in the sentence - be sure to fully understand how each French pronoun works. This way, you will avoid misunderstanding when talking to someone in French.

Quiz

1/4

Translate: I didn't see him there.

0

correct answers.