Which verbs take which object: direct or indirect?

AlvinA2Kwiziq community member

Which verbs take which object: direct or indirect?

I think I understand the concept of when to use le/la/les vs lui, leur. However besides the three verbs (téléphoner, parler, demander) you used as examples, I don't know which verbs take a direct or indirect object. How does one determine which type of object a verb takes?
Asked 6 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Alvin,

The 3 verbs you mention demander, parlertéléphoner (donner is the same) use "à quelqu'un" after them so with these type of verbs you will use the indirect object pronouns lui and leur.

I don't think you can learn lists of verbs, it is just a case of practising and you will learn which ones sound right.

An interesting little example , compare what happens in the next sentence which has the same meaning, to call someone using the 2 different verbs, appeler quelqu'un and téléphoner à quelqu'un.

J'ai appelé mon frère hier -> Je l'ai appelé hier.

J'ai téléphoné à mon frère hier -> Je lui ai téléphoné hier.

Hope this helps!

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Good question. One I wish could be answered by a simple rule. I guess you just have to study them. After a while you develop some kind of feeling for this. If I remember correctly, Laura has a good site on here webpage. I'd google it. -- Chris.
ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Here is the page I had in mind: https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/direct-vs-indirect-objects/ -- Chris.
AlvinA2Kwiziq community member
Claus, Yeah I wish there was a simple rule because unfortunately Larousse doesn't cover whether the verb should be followed by à, de, etc. I will review Laura's page. Thank you for pointing out another article that may help clear things up. -- Alvin

Which verbs take which object: direct or indirect?

I think I understand the concept of when to use le/la/les vs lui, leur. However besides the three verbs (téléphoner, parler, demander) you used as examples, I don't know which verbs take a direct or indirect object. How does one determine which type of object a verb takes?

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