PRONOM COD,COI

24.12.2020
COD

A pronoun is always a word that replaces a noun or a phrase previously mentioned in order to
avoid repetition. So, a direct object pronoun or COD, i.e. complément d’objet direct, is a pronoun that
replaces a direct object. In other words, a COD can be used when the two following conditions are met:
• The noun to be replaced refers to a person or a thing;
• The noun to be replaced is specific - i.e., the noun is preceded by a specific determiner such as a
definite article (le, la, les), a possessive adjective (mon, ma, mes, etc.) or a demonstrative adjective
(ce, cette, etc.)
• Manuel hates me - Manuel me déteste.
• Manuel loves me - Manuel m’aime.
• He hates you - Il te déteste.
• He loves you - Il t’aime.
• We hate him - Nous le détestons.
• We love him - Nous l’aimons.
• You (all) hate her - Vous la détestez.
• You (all) love her - Vous l’aimez.
• Manuel hates us - Manuel nous déteste.
• Manuel loves us - Manuel nous deteste.
• They hate you (all) - Ils vous détestent.
• They love you (all) - Ils vous aiment.
• You hate them - Tu les détestes.
• You love them - Tu les aimes.
The two forms of the 3rd person singular:
The 3rd person singular has two forms - a masculine form and a feminine form. If the direct
object is a masculine singular noun, it is replaced by le:
• Tu dessine le portrait - Tu le dessine - You are drawing it (the portrait).
• Je décris le paysage - Je le décris - I am describing it (the scenery).
If the direct object is a feminine noun, it is replaced by la:
• Je mange la tarte - Je la mange - I am eating it (a tart).
• Des mouches dérangent la vache - Des mouches la dérangent - Flies are disturbing it (the
cow).
Compléments d’objet indirect (COI)

An indirect object is a person that someone or something does something to indirectly. In the simplest
sentences, the indirect object directly follows a verb + preposition, so it’s very easy to see the effect that the
verb has on that person.
Par exemple… Il donne les fleurs à son amie. (He’s giving his friend flowers.)
Je l’achète pour mes enfants. (I’m buying it for my children.)

Characteristics of indirect objects

• Are connected to the verb with a preposition
• Cannot be removed without altering the meaning of the sentence
• Can be found by asking "to whom?" or "for whom?"
• Normal forms: me and te
• Contracted forms: m’ and t’, for use in front of a vowel or h muet
• In French, indirect object pronouns generally precede the verb
Il me parle. (He’s talking to me.)
Je t’achète une chemise. (I’m buying a shirt for you.)
Elle nous donne son canapé. (She’s giving her couch to us.)