Direct Object Pronouns (COD) in French: A Comprehensive Guide

Direct object pronouns (in French, pronoms compléments d’objet direct, or COD) are used to replace the direct object of a sentence. The direct object is the noun that directly receives the action of the verb. Using direct object pronouns makes sentences shorter, less repetitive, and more natural.

1. The Direct Object Pronouns in French

Here is a table of the French direct object pronouns with their English equivalents:

2. Placement of Direct Object Pronouns

A. Before the Verb

In most sentences, the direct object pronoun is placed before the conjugated verb.

• Je vois le chien. → Je le vois.
  (I see the dog. → I see it.)
• Elle aime ses amis. → Elle les aime.
  (She loves her friends. → She loves them.)

B. Before the Infinitive

If there is an infinitive in the sentence, the direct object pronoun is placed before the infinitive.

• Je vais acheter le livre. → Je vais l’acheter.
  (I’m going to buy the book. → I’m going to buy it.)

C. In Negative Sentences

In negative sentences, the pronoun stays before the verb, but the negation wraps around both.

• Je ne vois pas le film. → Je ne le vois pas.
  (I don’t see the movie. → I don’t see it.)
• Il ne veut pas manger la pomme. → Il ne veut pas la manger.
  (He doesn’t want to eat the apple. → He doesn’t want to eat it.)

3. Identifying the Direct Object

To identify the direct object in a sentence, ask who? or what? after the verb.

• Paul regarde la télévision.
  (Paul watches television.)
  • What is Paul watching? → Television (la télévision).
  • Replace it: Paul la regarde.
• Marie invite ses amis.
  (Marie invites her friends.)
  • Who is Marie inviting? → Her friends (ses amis).
  • Replace them: Marie les invite.

4. Agreement with Past Participles

When a direct object pronoun is used with the passé composé, the past participle must agree in gender and number with the pronoun.

• J’ai vu la voiture. → Je l’ai vue.
  (I saw the car. → I saw it.)
• Il a mangé les pommes. → Il les a mangées.
  (He ate the apples. → He ate them.)

5. Examples in Context

Replacing a Singular Object

• Tu manges le gâteau ? → Oui, je le mange.
  (Are you eating the cake? → Yes, I’m eating it.)

Replacing a Plural Object

• Ils regardent les étoiles ? → Oui, ils les regardent.
  (Are they looking at the stars? → Yes, they are looking at them.)

With an Infinitive

• Tu veux acheter cette robe ? → Oui, je veux l’acheter.
  (Do you want to buy this dress? → Yes, I want to buy it.)

In a Negative Sentence

• Il ne trouve pas son téléphone. → Il ne le trouve pas.
  (He can’t find his phone. → He can’t find it.)

In the Passé Composé

• As-tu vu Julie ? → Oui, je l’ai vue.
  (Did you see Julie? → Yes, I saw her.)

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

A. Misplacing the Pronoun

• Incorrect: Je mange la mange.
• Correct: Je la mange.
  (I’m eating it.)

B. Forgetting Agreement in the Passé Composé

• Incorrect: Je l’ai vu (for a feminine object like la pomme).
• Correct: Je l’ai vue.

C. Mixing Direct and Indirect Pronouns

Direct object pronouns replace things directly affected by the verb, not indirectly.

• Je parle à Marie. (Indirect → Use lui)
• Je vois Marie. (Direct → Use la)

7. Practice Sentences

1. Replace the direct object with a pronoun:
   • Il lit le journal. → __________
   • Nous aimons les films. → __________
   • Elle veut voir le musée. → __________
2. Translate into French using direct object pronouns:
   • I am eating it. (the apple)
   • She is calling them. (her friends)
   • They saw her.

8. Summary

Direct object pronouns in French are a crucial part of communication, helping to avoid repetition and streamline sentences. By mastering their forms, placement, and agreement rules, you’ll sound more fluent and natural in French conversation.

You can take the multiple-choice quiz.

Direct Object Pronouns, also known as “Pronoms Compléments d’Objet Direct” in French, are pronouns used to replace direct objects in a sentence without repeating them. Choose the correct direct object pronouns in the following sentences.