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Indirect Object Pronouns

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An indirect object answers the question "to/for whom," in some cases "to/for what." In English, an indirect object may be preceded by a preposition, such as "to" or "for":

Here are a few examples of indirect objects in English:

  • Karen brought her a new dress. (To/For whom did she bring the dress?)
  • I gave them the tickets. (To whom did I give the ticket?)
  • I gave it to them. (To whom did I give it?)
  • On Mother's Day we give flowers to our mother. (To whom do we give flowers?)
  • He spoke to the crowd. (To whom/what did he speak?)

Generally the indirect object is a person, rather than a thing.

The indirect pronoun replaces an indirect object, that is, an object that otherwise would require the use of à in French.
 

donne un livre à Marie. He gives a book to Mary.
Il lui donne un livre. He gives her a book.

Indirect pronouns relate to the pronouns you already know as follows:
 

Subject Reflexive
je me
tu te
il, elle se
nous nous
vous vous
ils, elles se

 
Subject Direct Object Indirect Object
Je me me
tu te te
il, elle le, la lui
nous nous nous
vous vous  
ils, elles les leur

Here are some examples of indirect object pronouns:
 

Je parle à ma sœur.
I speak to my sister.
Je lui parle.
I speak to her.
Elle téléphone à son frère.
She calls her brother.
Elle lui téléphone.
She calls him.
Il apporte des fleurs à M. et Mme. Gillette.
He brings flowers to Mr. and Mrs. Gillette.
Il leur apporte des fleurs.
He brings them flowers

Distinguishing between direct and indirect objects is easy in French. When an object (i.e., a person) is preceded by à, it is an indirect object that can be replaced by the appropriate object pronoun.

DIRECT
 

Je cherche le dictionnaire.  I look for the dictionary. 
Je le cherche. I look for it. (it is an object of a preposition in English]

INDIRECT
 

Je donne le dictionnaire à Paul. I give the dictionary to Paul
Je lui donne le dictionnaire. I give the dictionary to him./I give him the dictionary.


Examples of Indirect Object Pronouns

  • Pierre va à la boulangerie pour y acheter du pain. La boulangère lui vend deux baguettes, deux croissants, un chausson aux pommes et un napoléon.
  • "Pierre, je vais chez Martine. Tu veux que je lui rende ses livres?