B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 1

Handling Multiple Pronouns and Special Verbs

6 Total Rules
61 examples
7 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the intricate dance of French pronouns and complex verb structures for native-level fluency.

  • Sequence multiple object pronouns correctly in a single sentence.
  • Position pronouns accurately when dealing with infinitives and helping verbs.
  • Use the 'faire' causative construction to describe actions you have others perform.
Unlock the secret code of French pronoun sequences.

What You'll Learn

Ready to sound more like a native French speaker? This chapter is your secret weapon for mastering those tricky pronoun placements that make all the difference! At A1, you might feel like French has a lot of rules, but don't worry, we're breaking this down into super manageable steps. You'll learn the precise 'dance' French pronouns do when they appear together. Ever wanted to say

Give it to me
or "I'm going there" without sounding like a robot? We'll show you exactly where to put 'me', 'it', 'there', and 'some of it' in your sentences. You'll discover the logical order: me/te/nous/vous first, then le/la/les, then lui/leur, then y, and finally en. It's like a secret code you're about to unlock! Beyond pronouns, we'll tackle what happens when you have two verbs (like
I want to eat it
) and introduce the super useful verb 'faire' in constructions like
I am having my car repaired
(Je la fais réparer). By the end, you won't just understand *why* pronouns go where they do, but you'll be confidently building sentences that flow naturally. You'll be able to express specific actions involving multiple objects or locations, giving clear instructions, and engaging in more complex conversations – all while sounding incredibly French. Get ready to level up your French conversations!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to correctly order up to three pronouns before a conjugated verb.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to place pronouns correctly in sentences with auxiliary or modal verbs.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to construct causative sentences using 'faire' with preceding pronouns.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome, B2 French learners! Are you ready to unlock a new level of fluency and sound more like a native speaker? This chapter on handling multiple pronouns and special verbs is your essential guide to mastering some of the most dynamic and often challenging aspects of French grammar. At the B2 French level, you're moving beyond basic sentence structures and diving into the nuances that make conversations flow naturally. Understanding the precise placement of multiple pronouns isn't just about correctness; it's about elegance and efficiency in your speech.
Many students find French pronoun order tricky, but we're going to break it down into clear, manageable steps. You’ll learn the logical "dance" these little words perform when they appear together, transforming clunky phrases into smooth, idiomatic French. Imagine confidently saying "Give it to me" or "I'm going there" without hesitation! We'll reveal the secret code for placing direct, indirect, and adverbial pronouns like me/te/nous/vous, le/la/les, lui/leur, y, and en.
Beyond the intricate world of multiple pronouns French, this chapter also tackles pronoun placement with two-verb constructions, like when you want to say "I want to eat it." We'll also introduce the incredibly useful causative verb faire in structures such as "I am having my car repaired" (Je la fais réparer). By the end of this guide, you won't just understand *why* these rules exist; you'll be building complex sentences with confidence, engaging in more sophisticated conversations, and truly sounding like the advanced French speaker you're becoming. Get ready to elevate your intermediate French grammar skills!

How This Grammar Works

Mastering the placement of multiple pronouns in French is a cornerstone of B2 French grammar. The key is understanding the strict, unchangeable order in which they appear before the verb. This order is like a fixed sequence: me/te/nous/vous (reflexive/indirect) come first, followed by le/la/les (direct object), then lui/leur (indirect object), then y (place/to it), and finally en (of it/some of it). Let's see it in action.
Consider the order: me/te/nous/vous (first group) + le/la/les (second group) + lui/leur (third group) + y (fourth group) + en (fifth group) + Verb.
* French Double Pronoun Order (me, te, nous, vous first): When you have a direct object pronoun and an indirect object pronoun from the first group, the first group always precedes the direct object.
* Il me le donne. (He gives it to me.)
* Tu nous les montres. (You show them to us.)
* Giving it to them: Double Pronouns (le/la/les before lui/leur): When combining a direct object pronoun with lui or leur, the direct object comes first.
* Je le lui donne. (I give it to him/her.)
* Nous les leur avons envoyés. (We sent them to them.)
* Where Does 'y' Go? (Pronoun Position): The pronoun y (meaning 'there' or 'to it') comes after the direct object pronouns and lui/leur, but before en.
* Je l'y ai mis. (I put it there.)
* Il nous y emmène. (He takes us there.)
* Using 'en' with other pronouns (m'en, lui en...): The pronoun en (meaning 'some of it', 'of them', 'from there') always comes last in the pronoun chain.
* Tu m'en donnes? (Are you giving me some of it?)
* Elle lui en a parlé. (She spoke to him/her about it.)
* Pronoun Position with Two Verbs (Infinitives): When you have a conjugated verb followed by an infinitive (e.g., vouloir manger, aller faire), the pronoun(s) usually precede the infinitive.
* Je veux le manger. (I want to eat it.)
* Tu vas lui parler. (You are going to speak to him/her.)
* Nous allons y aller. (We are going to go there.)
* Pronoun Position with 'Faire' (Je le fais réparer): The causative faire construction (meaning 'to have something done' or 'to make someone do something') places the pronoun *before* faire.
* Je le fais réparer. (I have it repaired.)
* Il la fait rire. (He makes her laugh.)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Je lui le donne."
✓ Correct: "Je le lui donne."
*Explanation:* When combining a direct object pronoun (le) and an indirect object pronoun (lui/leur), the direct object pronoun always comes first.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Il veut manger le."
✓ Correct: "Il veut le manger."
*Explanation:* With two-verb constructions (conjugated verb + infinitive), the pronoun (here, le) generally precedes the infinitive, not the conjugated verb.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Je fais le réparer."
✓ Correct: "Je le fais réparer."
*Explanation:* In the causative faire construction, the pronoun that refers to the direct object of the action (what is being repaired) comes *before* faire.

Real Conversations

A

A

Tu as vu mon livre de recettes ? Je ne le trouve pas. (Have you seen my cookbook? I can't find it.)
B

B

Ah oui, je l'ai pris. Je vais te le rendre après le dîner. (Oh yes, I took it. I'm going to give it back to you after dinner.)
A

A

La voiture est en panne, je ne sais pas quoi faire. (The car broke down, I don't know what to do.)
B

B

Pas de problème, je vais la faire réparer demain matin. (No problem, I'm going to have it repaired tomorrow morning.)
A

A

Tes parents sont venus te voir à Paris ? (Did your parents come to see you in Paris?)
B

B

Oui, ils sont venus l'année dernière. Je les y ai emmenés pour une visite guidée. (Yes, they came last year. I took them there for a guided tour.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What is the correct order for French pronouns like 'me', 'le', and 'lui' when they are all in one sentence?

The order is me/te/nous/vous (indirect/reflexive), then le/la/les (direct), then lui/leur (indirect). So, "He gives it to me" is Il me le donne.

Q

When should I use 'y' in French, and where does it go in relation to other pronouns?

You use y to replace a place (à Paris, dans la maison) or à + something (not a person). It comes after le/la/les and lui/leur, but before en. For example, Je l'y ai mis. (I put it there.)

Q

Can I use 'en' and 'y' together in the same French sentence, and if so, what is their order?

Yes, you can! Y always precedes en. For example, J'y en ai vu. (I saw some of it there.)

Q

How do I correctly form a sentence like "I will make him do it" using the causative 'faire' and pronouns?

The pronoun referring to the person being made to do something (or the thing being done) comes before faire. So, "I will make him do it" becomes Je le lui ferai faire. (I will make him do it for him) or Je le ferai faire. (I will have it done.)

Cultural Context

In everyday French conversation, mastering these pronoun placements is a significant marker of fluency. Native speakers use these constructions constantly, often unconsciously. The ability to smoothly integrate multiple pronouns, y, and en, along with the causative faire, allows for more concise and natural expression, avoiding repetitive nouns or clunky phrases. While the rules might seem complex at first, with practice, their inherent logic becomes second nature, enabling you to participate in more dynamic and nuanced discussions without sounding stiff or overly formal. It's truly a step toward thinking in French!

Key Examples (8)

1

Je te le promets.

I promise it to you.

French Double Pronoun Order (me, te, nous, vous first)
2

Tu me les prêtes ?

Will you lend them to me?

French Double Pronoun Order (me, te, nous, vous first)
3

Je le lui donne.

I give it to him.

Giving it to them: Double Pronouns (le/la/les before lui/leur)
4

Tu la lui envoies par mail ?

Are you sending it to her by email?

Giving it to them: Double Pronouns (le/la/les before lui/leur)
5

Je t'y rejoins dans dix minutes.

I'll meet you there in ten minutes.

Where Does 'y' Go? (Pronoun Position)
6

On s'y voit demain ?

Shall we see each other there tomorrow?

Where Does 'y' Go? (Pronoun Position)
7

Tu m'en donnes un ?

Are you giving me one?

Using 'en' with other pronouns (m'en, lui en...)
8

Je t'en envoie un message.

I'm sending you a message about it.

Using 'en' with other pronouns (m'en, lui en...)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

The 'Me-Te' Rule

Always prioritize me, te, nous, vous.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Double Pronoun Order (me, te, nous, vous first)
💡

The 'L' Rule

If you see 'le' or 'la' and 'lui' or 'leur', 'le/la' always wins the race to the verb.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Giving it to them: Double Pronouns (le/la/les before lui/leur)
💡

Check the preposition

If you see 'à', 'y' is likely the answer.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Where Does 'y' Go? (Pronoun Position)
💡

The Caboose Rule

Always keep 'en' at the end of your pronoun chain.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using 'en' with other pronouns (m'en, lui en...)

Key Vocabulary (6)

prêter to lend expliquer to explain emmener to take (someone) to réparer to repair le dossier the file/folder s'occuper de to take care of / deal with

Real-World Preview

briefcase

At the Office

car

The Car Mechanic

Review Summary

  • [me/te/se/nous/vous] + [le/la/les]
  • [le/la/les] + [lui/leur]
  • [any pronoun] + y
  • [any pronoun] + en
  • [conjugated verb] + [pronouns] + [infinitive]
  • [pronouns] + [faire] + [infinitive]

Common Mistakes

In English, we say 'I give him it', but in French, the direct object (le) must come before the indirect 3rd person (lui).

Wrong: Je lui le donne.
Correct: Je le lui donne.

When using an infinitive like 'donner', the pronouns must move to the position immediately before that infinitive, not before the main verb 'veux'.

Wrong: Je le veux donner à toi.
Correct: Je veux te le donner.

The causative 'faire' is an exception. Even though 'réparer' is an infinitive, the pronoun must go before 'faire'.

Wrong: Je fais le réparer.
Correct: Je le fais réparer.

Next Steps

You've just cleared one of the biggest hurdles in B2 French! These structures are what separate intermediate learners from fluent speakers. Keep practicing that 'pronoun dance'!

Write 5 sentences about chores you 'faire faire' (have someone else do).

Listen to a French podcast and note every time 'en' or 'y' is used with another pronoun.

Continue to: Advanced Actions and Impersonal Forms

Quick Practice (10)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je ne fais pas le réparer.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je ne le fais pas réparer
Negation sandwich.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pronoun Position with 'Faire' (Je le fais réparer)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je lui le ai donné.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je le lui ai donné.
Direct object must precede indirect.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Giving it to them: Double Pronouns (le/la/les before lui/leur)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je pense à mon ami. J'y pense.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Incorrect: Je pense à lui.
y cannot replace people.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Where Does 'y' Go? (Pronoun Position)

Fill in the blank.

Je ne ___ ___ ai pas dit. (it to him)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: le lui
Direct object 'le' before indirect 'lui'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Giving it to them: Double Pronouns (le/la/les before lui/leur)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je le fais réparer
Pronoun before faire.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pronoun Position with 'Faire' (Je le fais réparer)

Select the correct pronoun.

Je vais ___ envoyer.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: le
Direct object.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pronoun Position with Two Verbs (Infinitives)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je ne le veux pas faire.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je ne veux pas le faire.
Pronoun placement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pronoun Position with Two Verbs (Infinitives)

Fill in the blank.

Je ___ ___ donne.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Me/Te/Nous/Vous > Le/La/Les > Lui/Leur.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Double Pronoun Order (me, te, nous, vous first)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Il donne le lui.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Pronouns before verb.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Double Pronoun Order (me, te, nous, vous first)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il lui en donne
En must be last.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using 'en' with other pronouns (m'en, lui en...)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

It's a historical quirk of French syntax where the imperative takes pronouns as suffixes.
Technically yes, but it's very rare and sounds clunky.
It is a historical quirk of French grammar that commands follow a different syntactic structure.
No, that is grammatically incorrect in standard French.
No, never. Use tonic pronouns like 'lui' or 'elle' instead.
It goes before the infinitive 'aller'.
Next Chapter
Advanced Actions and Impersonal Forms
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