This AP French lesson explains French double object pronouns step by step, with examples in French and English. Then practise with the worksheet on French double object pronouns and check yourself with the quiz.
Quick answer: Double object pronouns stack before the verb in one fixed order: me/te/nous/vous, then le/la/les, then lui/leur, then y, then en. Use y for à plus a thing or place, en for de plus a thing or quantity, and moi, toi, lui, eux after prepositions.
Level: AP French Language and Culture · Standards: AP French Language and Culture (College Board CED), Theme: Contemporary Life
French double object pronouns: the lesson
How do double object pronouns work?
When a sentence has two object pronouns, both sit right before the conjugated verb (or before the infinitive) in one fixed order. Memorize the chart, then build the sentence from left to right.
Order rule
Column 1 comes before column 2, then 3, 4 and 5. Never combine me, te, nous or vous with lui or leur; use à plus a disjunctive pronoun instead.
| Pair | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| me + le | Elle me l’a envoyé hier. | She sent it to me yesterday. |
| le + lui | Je le lui ai expliqué. | I explained it to him. |
| les + leur | Nadia les leur rend demain. | Nadia returns them to them tomorrow. |
| lui + en | Je lui en ai offert deux. | I gave her two of them. |
| y + en | Il y en a dix. | There are ten of them. |
In affirmative commands the pronouns follow the verb, joined by hyphens, direct before indirect: Donne-le-moi. — Give it to me. Donne-m’en. — Give me some. Negative commands keep the normal order: Ne me le dis pas.
When do you use y and en?
Y and en
- y replaces à + a thing or idea, or a place: J’y pense. — I’m thinking about it. Nous y allons en juin. — We’re going there in June.
- en replaces de + a noun, or a noun after a number or quantity: Elle en a trois. — She has three. Il en revient. — He is coming back from there.
How do disjunctive pronouns work?
| Subject | je | tu | il | elle | nous | vous | ils | elles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disjunctive | moi | toi | lui | elle | nous | vous | eux | elles |
- After a preposition: chez eux — at their place.
- For emphasis: Moi, je préfère rester. — Me, I’d rather stay.
- After c’est: C’est elle qui a gagné. — She is the one who won.
- In comparisons: Il court plus vite que moi.
- After verbs like penser à or faire attention à with a person: Je pense à lui.
Common mistakes of English speakers
- English says “I give it to him”; French says Je le lui donne, never Je lui le donne.
- English drops “of them”; French needs en: J’en ai deux. — I have two.
- For a person, use à + disjunctive, not y: Je pense à ma tante becomes Je pense à elle.
Spoken French
In conversation, speakers often open with a disjunctive pronoun: Moi, je ne sais pas. The pattern is completely natural and sounds fluent in an AP interpersonal conversation.
Zoé’s tip
Chant the chart like a rhythm: me, le, lui, y, en. Replace one noun at a time, say the sentence aloud, then add the second pronoun and test it against the chant.
Key points to remember
- Order before the verb: me/te/se/nous/vous, le/la/les, lui/leur, y, en.
- Y replaces à + a thing or place; en replaces de + a noun or a counted quantity.
- In affirmative commands, pronouns follow the verb with hyphens: Donne-le-moi.
- Disjunctive pronouns: moi, toi, lui, elle, nous, vous, eux, elles.
- For people, use à + a disjunctive pronoun: Je pense à elle.
Pronoun Power for Everyday French Talk: frequently asked questions
What is the order of double object pronouns in French?
The order is me/te/se/nous/vous, then le/la/les, then lui/leur, then y, then en. All of them sit before the conjugated verb, or before the infinitive.
Can you use me and lui together?
No. French does not allow me lui or te leur. Keep the direct pronoun and add à plus a disjunctive pronoun: Elle m’a présenté à lui.
Does the past participle agree with the pronouns?
It agrees with a preceding direct object: Elle me l’a envoyée if the thing is a feminine word like la lettre. It never agrees with lui, leur or en.
When should I use y instead of à + a pronoun?
Use y for things, ideas and places: J’y pense. For people after verbs such as penser à, use à plus a disjunctive pronoun: Je pense à lui.
What are disjunctive pronouns used for?
They stand alone or follow a preposition. Use them for emphasis (Moi, je viens.), after c’est, in comparisons and with compound subjects such as Léa et moi.