The complement object in French
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The object complement (abbreviated CO) (French: Le complément d'objet) is part of the verbal group and is a transitive verb. It is essential to the proposition.
The object complement can be composed of a noun, a nominal group, a pronoun, an infinitive verb or a subordinate clause. The object complement is usually placed after the verb, but it can also be placed in front of the verb in an interrogative sentence, or when this object complement is a pronoun.
There are three types of object complements:
The object complement is determined by its position in the sentence and how it is related to the verb it completes.
Lesson outline
HideThe direct object in French
The direct object complement (French: le complément d'objet direct) directly completes the verb without any preposition. The verb used with a COD is a direct transitive verb.
To find the COD of a verb, it is most often enough to ask questions:
- Quoi ? (What ?)
- Qui ? (Who ?)
| Examples | Questions | Translations |
|---|---|---|
| Je vais voir mon père | Je vais voir qui ? | (I am going to see my father) |
| Nous avons acheté un bouquet de fleurs | Nous avons acheté quoi ? | (We bought a bouquet of flowers) |
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The indirect object in French
The indirect object complement (French: le complément d'objet indirect) indirectly completes the verb most often through a preposition. The verb used with an COI is an indirect transitive verb.
To find the COI of the verb, it is most enough to ask questions:
- à qui ? à quoi ? (to whom ?) (to what ?)
- de qui ? de quoi ? (of who ?) (of what ?)
| Examples | Questions | Translations |
|---|---|---|
| Cette salle appartient à la directrice | Cette salle appartient à qui ? | (This classroom belongs to the director) |
| Mon père l'aime de tout son coeur | Mon père l'aime de quoi ? | (My father loves her with all his heart) |
The position of object pronouns
Direct and indirect object pronouns are placed before the conjugated verb in the present, future, imperfect and before the auxiliary verb (avoir or être) in compound tenses such as the past completed.
It is also place before the infinitive verb in structures that include a conjugated verb followed by an infinitive.
The only structure that requires the object pronoun to be placed after the verb is the affirmative command.
| Object pronouns | Examples | Translations |
|---|---|---|
| precede the verb in simple tenses | Je le vois | I see him |
| precede the auxiliary verb in compound tenses | Je l'ai vu | I saw him |
| precede the infinitive form | Je vais le voir | I am going to see him |
| Follow the verb in affirmative commands | Regarde-le ! | Look at him ! |
The second object in French
The second object complement (French: le complément d'objet second) is very simple. It is used with a direct transitive verb along with the direct object complement and usually with a preposition.
It is called second just because there is another complement which is a COD that is in first position. It means that if the sentence has no direct object complement it is always an indirect object.
Examples:
| COS | Translations | COD |
|---|---|---|
| J'enseigne l'anglais à mes amis | (I am teaching english to my friends) | J'enseigne l'anglais |
| Pierre a offert un cadeau à son amie | (Peter offered a gift to his friend) | Pierre a offert un cadeau |
Learn more about the object complements in our subpages !
Exercises
Multiple choice questions about the direct objects in French
Exercises
Multiple choice questions about the direct objects in French
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My name is Tiska. I am a French Teacher with experiences with adults and teenagers in Public Education (USA) and Language Schools. I am holding a Master Degree in FLE (Teaching French as a Foreign Language).
Join a small group of learners of 2 or 3 for conversation lessons with me. An article or video to watch before the lesson and a conversation with personalized corrections during the lesson. This option saves you at least 10 euros per lesson on Colanguage.
Group opening:
Monday and/or Wednesday from 17:30 to 18:30 (French time).
Level: intermediate (B1)
Also, standard French lessons
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I give Skype lessons to people who need or want to improve their French language. I like to use material from the internet (videos, article etc.) to introduce a theme which leads to a lesson and a conversation.
I like to create engaging learning with my students. I will give as homework a document to watch or to read with comprehension exercises so the time we have on skype is only speaking practice and explanation if needed.
I can help you prepare DELF-DALF Exams or work on specific needs (as professional French).
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I grew up in the outside of Paris, I travelled all over the world and I live in Spain for 10 years now.
I'm a musician, a dancer and I love to cook and hike.
I'm a french teacher, and it's my passion! I speak 3 languages, and thanks to my learning I was able to live amazing experiences in many countries.
That's why I became a teacher, to be able to share with you my love for french language and culture and to guide you in your progress.
For me, each language is a way of seeing and interpreting the world, as glasses of different colors.
Understanding the way a language works is understanding how its people see things; it's such a exciting process, I can't wait to share it with you!
I have more than 8 years experience, in schools, companies and universities.
I work with people from all ages, beginners to advanced. I know most of french manuals.
I can prepare you to DELF and DALF exams. I also have a specialization in french for specific goals and french business.
I can offer you thematic courses, to improve your pronunciation, increase your vocabulary, prepare you for traveling or for a new job.
All my classes are in french, I adapt my vocabulary and speech speed according to your level.
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My name is Wanda, I'm 27 and I'm French.
I have a Master's Degree in Teaching French as a Foreign Language from the University of Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris, as well as 3 years of teaching experience (face-to-face, remote courses, or group classes).
I can teach you everything from grammar to culture, but I am particularly able to help you get a better pronunciation! Indeed, I also have a Master's Degree in Linguistics, for which I wrote a thesis about the pronunciation of people learning French as a foreign language =)
Regarding pronunciation, I'll help you without any judgment and only if you express the need to improve!
I studied one year in Japan (Osaka) where I gave French classes at the University of Kansai. During this time, I met a lot of people from various background and I became very open-minded and comfortable with different cultures.
What I like the most in teaching French is getting to meet and know people from different cultures =)
So, I'll be waiting for you! =)
See you soon,
Wanda
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Virginie is the best French teacher I ever came across. She has been a great help in preparing for DELF B1. Her clear method of explaining helps me understand and retain the grammar rules. She is very patient and her calm personality removes my anxiety and puts my mind at ease. I highly recommend her and thank her for the wonderful learning experience.
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Training is my passion. I like interacting with people. I am passionate about reading, watching movies, and music. I love to explore new places and have keen interest in arts and literature.I love meeting new people because every person is a whole new world you can learn from. I am also a keen reader and an enthusiastic traveller.
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she have books and she knows how the delf / dalf works, she gives me some advises that i didn't find in youtube video
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Bonjour! Veux-tu apprendre français? ou l'améliorer?
My classes are structured according to my students' needs, I use different teaching methods and I rely on listening each of my students' expectations and goals. Dynamism and constant learning are my purposes in my classes.
I have worked as a French teacher for more than ten years.
I have academic studies in English and French from Montréal, Canada, where I lived for several years. I have a Bachelor in Teaching French as a foreign language from the Université de Bourgogne.
I learned French at an early age in immersion in a French-speaking region and I studied French formally for 11 years, obtaining a native level.
À bientôt!
J. J.
Natalia is a great teacher. She uses a variety of teaching methods and always considers my wishes and learning goals. The atmosphere is very pleasant, we speak a lot about random topics but also about situations from my work, which really helps to improve my conversation skills.
We work with Janeke on improving her skills using situations from her work environment. Also, we discuss different topics, using a variety of materials. I have seen her French improve very quickly. Congratulations Janeke!