Object Pronoun Placement

Position de pronoms compléments

	Share / Tweet / Pin Me!

The placement of object, reflexive, and adverbial pronouns depends on which of the four main verb constructions they’re used with.

1) Simple tenses and moods

In nearly all simple tenses and moods, the pronouns go in front of the verb.

Je l’écoute.		I’m listening to it.
Elle lui parlait.		She was talking to him.
Ne te lève pas tard.		Don’t get up late.
Nous y irons demain.		We’ll go there tomorrow.

2) Affirmative imperative

The only exception to the above is the affirmative imperative, which requires that the pronouns be placed after the verb.

Écoute-le.		Listen to it.
Parle-lui.		Talk to him.
Lève-toi tôt.		Get up early.
Allons-y demain.		Let’s go there tomorrow.

3) Compound tenses and moods

In all compound tenses and moods, the pronouns precede the auxiliary verb – learn more.

Je l’ai écouté.		I listened to it.
Elle lui aura parlé.		She will have talked to him.
Tu t’es levé tard.		You got up late.
Nous y étions allés.		We had gone there.
Après l’avoir vu ….		After having seen it ….

 Remember that agreement might be required.

4) Dual-verb constructions

In dual-verb constructions (such as modal verb + infinitive), the pronouns are usually placed in front of the infinitive – learn more.

Je devrais l’écouter.		I should listen to it.
Elle allait lui parler.		She was going to talk to him.
Tu peux te lever tard.		You can get up late.
Nous voulons y aller.		We want to go there.
Il essaie de le voir.		He’s trying to see it.

 Verbs of perception

These technically fall into the "dual verb" category, but are a bit trickier: Word order with verbs of perception

 Related lessons

• Adverbial pronouns
• Direct object pronouns
• Indirect object pronouns
• Reflexive pronouns
• Word order with auxiliary verbs (compound tenses)
• Word order with double pronouns
• Word order with semi-auxiliary verbs
• Word order with verbs of perception
• Verb tenses and moods
   

 En español

• Colocación de pronombres de complemento
   

 Share / Tweet / Pin Me!