Language/French/Grammar/Pronominal-verbs-used-reciprocally
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Definitions[edit | edit source]
Pronominal Verbs[edit | edit source]
Pronominal verbs ("Les verbes pronominaux" in French), of which there are several categories, are verbs that are constructed with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous) of the same person as the subject.
- More on pronominal verbs.
Reciprocal Verbs[edit | edit source]
The reciprocal pronominal verb expresses an action both accomplished and received by each of the actors in the action.
- Toutes les étudiants se sont regardés.
All the students looked at each other.
- More on reciprocal verbs
Reflexive verbs[edit | edit source]
A reflexive verb expresses an action that the subject does on himself:
- Tu te laves.
You wash yourself.
Pronominal Verbs used Reciprocally[edit | edit source]
Reciprocal verbs are pronominal verbs, which means that they have both subject and reflective pronouns. In the case of reciprocal verbs, the reflexive pronoun indicates that the action of the verb is exchanged between two or more subjects acting on each other.
When a pronominal verb is used in the plural and describes a situation where several subjects are doing things to each other, it is being used reciprocally.
Examples[edit | edit source]
Direct Object Pronoun[edit | edit source]
- Habituellement, les journalistes se consultent avant de publier ce genre d'article polémique
Usually, journalists consult each other before publishing this kind of controversial article.
- Ils se donneront rendez-vous à la station Opéra à Paris
They will meet at the Opéra metro station in Paris
- Nous nous connaissons déjà bien depuis 5 ans
We have known each other well for 5 years
- Les enfants se disputent souvent quand ils sont fatigués
Children often argue (with each other) when they are tired
Indirect Object Pronoun[edit | edit source]
The pronoun can be a direct object, as in the examples above, or an indirect object, as in the following examples:
- Souvent les personnes s'écrivent pour restent en contact
Often people write to one another to keep in touch
- Il a été demandé aux enfants de se poser les bonnes questions sans demander au professeur
Children were asked to ask themselves the right questions without asking the teacher
- Nous nous envoyons un cadeau à chaque vacance de Noël
We send each other a gift every Christmas holiday
Pronoun reflexive or reciprocal?[edit | edit source]
Sometimes there is an ambiguity about considering the pronoun as reflexive or reciprocal.
Example:
- Les joueurs se sont fait très mal
The players hurt each other very badly
or
The boxers hurt themselves very badly
(i.e. each hurt himself but not the other)
- Les étudiants se sont posé des questions
The students asked each other questions
or
The participants asked questions of themselves
How to use the expression "l'un l'autre"[edit | edit source]
One way to make reciprocity very clear is by adding the phrase "l'un l'autre" (each other).
Direct Object[edit | edit source]
For example, with a direct object:
- Les joueurs se sont blessés l'un l'autre
The players hurt each other
Indirect Object[edit | edit source]
But with an indirect object:
- Les étudiants se sont posé des questions l'un à l'autre
The students asked each other questions
Variations in Gender & Number[edit | edit source]
"l'un l'autre" also varies in gender and number. If the subjects are feminine "l'une l'autre" is required:
- Nous nous aidons l'une l'autre pour la garde des enfants
We help each other out with looking after the children If more than just two subjects are involved a plural form of "l'un l'autre" is required:
- Les chefs d'entreprise du groupe peuvent se contacter les uns les autres via une plateforme sécurisée
Group business leaders can contact each other via a secure platform
Other Chapters[edit | edit source]
Videos[edit | edit source]
Learn French - Pronominal Verbs ( Reflexive and Reciprocal Verbs ...[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Plural
- Relative pronouns
- Masculine and feminine forms of adjectives — A change in written, but not spoken
- Absolute use of the superlative
- Polite Form
- Pronominal verbs and body parts
- An adjective agreeing with nouns linked by et, ou or ni
- Demonstrative pronouns
- Past Participle
- Punctuation
- Adverbs ending in —ment derived from words no longer in the language
- Directly transitive verbs
- Optional use of neutral le
- Conjugation group 3
- Compound nouns