Language/French/Grammar/Direct-object-and-indirect-object-pronouns-differences-between-English-and-French
The following common French verbs take indirect object pronouns; learners often treat them as if they required direct object pronouns, perhaps because their English equivalents take direct objects:
- Sa soeur lui a appris à parler espagnol
His sister taught him to speak Spanish (apprendre à qn à faire qc)
- Luc leur a conseillé de se taire
Luc advised them to be quiet (conseiller à qn de faire qc)
- Sa mère lui défendait de fumer à la maison
Her mother used to forbid her to smoke at home (défendre à qn de faire qc)
- Le film lui a (dé)plu
He (dis)liked the film ((dé)plaire à qn)
- Elle lui manque
He misses her (manquer à qn)
There are several verb constructions which tend to give rise to this problem,
each slightly different.
Verbs followed by: . . . à quelqu'un:
tab1
Verbs followed by: . . . quelque chose à quelqu'un:
tab2
Verbs followed by: ... à quelqu'un de faire quelque chose:
tab3
The following common French verbs take direct objects; learners often treat them as if they required indirect objects, perhaps because of a confusion over the status of à (or sometimes de) which these verbs require when they are followed by an infinitive:
- Je l'ai aidé à changer la roue
I helped him to change the wheel
- Le professeur l'avait encouragé à participer
The teacher had encouraged him to take part
- Je les ai persuadés de venir
I persuaded them to come
Others:
tab4
tab5