1. Pronouns
A pronoun is word which replaces a …………
noun
Examples of pronouns in French are je, tu, ils, elles etc;
these are words which replace, for example, Pierre, les chats etc.
The French examples above are subject pronouns. This is
because they are the subject of the sentence – they complete the
action. They usually come before the verb in English and in
French.
Identify the subject pronouns in the sentences below:
Je regarde le film.
Il a 15 ans.
On va à Paris.
Nous jouons au golf.
Elles sont délicieuses.

2. We have identified that the subject of the sentence completes
the action. The object of the sentence has the action done to it.
Je regarde le film.
This is the subject of the sentence
because je is doing the watching.
This is the object of the sentence
because the film is being watched.
Identify the subjects and objects in the sentences below:
Je regarde le film.
2. Elle prend la chemise.
3. Ils prennent les pulls.
4. Tu achètes les cravates? S O S O S O S O

3. The subject pronouns in these sentences replace the subject
of the sentence (eg Elle for Ma sœur). It is also possible to
replace the objects of the sentence with an object pronoun.
Je regarde le film. 
Je le regarde.
Elle prend la chemise. 
Elle la prend. 
Ils prennent les pulls.
Ils les prennent. 
Tu achètes les cravates?
Tu les achètes?
How would you translate the sentences on the right?
Je le regarde. = I am watching it.
Elle la prend. = She takes it.
Ils les prennent. = They take them.
Tu les achètes? = Are you buying them?

4. Here are the four sentences again:
Je le regarde.
Elle la prend.
Ils les prennent.
Tu les achètes?
Complete these rules:
When it is the direct object in a sentence … le
the word for ‘him’ or ‘it’ (when the noun is masculine) is …………. la
the word for ‘her’ or ‘it’ (when the noun is feminine) is ………….
les
the word for ‘them’ is ………….
Unlike in English, the direct object pronoun in French always
goes …………… the verb.
BEFORE

5. Here are all direct object pronouns:
me / m’
te / t’
le / l’
la / l’
nous
vous
les

6. Practice: Complete the sentences with the correct pronoun.
Il …… aide.
Je …… aime.
Je …… adore.
Les chats …… mangent.
Il ……… aime.
Je ……… aide.
Je …… aide.
He is helping me.
I like you (tu).
I love her.
The cats are eating it (le fromage).
He likes us.
I am helping you (vous).
I am helping them (les hommes).
I am helping them (les femmes). t’ l’ le
nous
vous
les
les

7. Translate the following sentences into French.
She is going to choose me.
My team is going to win it.
I am going to find you (tu).
He is going to make it.
They are going to see us.
I am going to help you (vous).
She is going to learn them.
They are going to watch them.
Elle va me choisir.
2. Mon équipe va la gagner.
3. Je vais te trouver.
4. Il va le faire.
5. Ils vont nous voir.
6. Je vais vous aider.
7. Elle va les apprendre.
8. Ils vont les regarder.

8. Indirect object pronouns
Sometimes the object in a sentence is indirect. This is often
shown by using the word ‘to’ in English, and with infinitives
which are followed by ‘à’ in French.
to speak to = parler à
Je lui parle = I am speaking to him
to phone = téléphoner à
Je lui téléphone = I am phoning her
to give to = donner à
Je leur donne le cadeau =
I am giving them the present
Note that we sometimes miss out the word ‘to’ in English; this
must be translated by the indirect object pronoun in French.
Indirect and direct object pronouns are the same, apart from the
‘il/elle’ and ‘ils/elles’ forms.

9. Extension
The verb ‘to please’ in French is plaire à.
A sophisticated way of saying you like something is by saying
that ‘it pleases to you’.
For example, ‘Cette musique lui plaît’ literally means ‘This music
pleases to him’, but would be translated as …
What does the expression ‘S’il vous plaît’ literally mean?
It is possible to have more than one pronoun in a sentence.
The direct object always comes before the indirect object.
How would you translate ‘Il le leur donne’?