DIfference between LES and EUX HI , I wonder if anyone can tell me when to use the Eux or Les . I am confused regarding the difference .I understand the position of Leur but not sure of the difference

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rob clarke

DIfference between LES and EUX

HI , I wonder if anyone can tell me when to use the Eux or Les . I am confused regarding the difference .

I understand the position of Leur but not sure of the difference between eux / les in respect of "them"

E.g I am going to send the money to them

je vais envoyer L'argent a eux ,,,, but why is it eux and not Les ?

Thanks for any help with this

Dec 9, 2016 9:19 AM

Comments · 3

You use "les" for a COD (direct object complement) and "eux" for a COI (not direct/Indirect OC).
The COD is placed directly behind the verb, the COI is placed behind the preposition following the verb (so the complement is placed not directly behind the verb but behind the preposition, hence its name)
Exemple: J'envoie les cadeaux à mes voisins (I send the presents to my neighbours)
Les cadeaux is COD.
Mes voisins is COI (there is the preposition "à" behind the verb "envoyer", like in english: send something to somebody)
A. J'envoie les cadeaux -> Je les envoie.
B. J'envoie (les cadeaux) à mes voisins -> J'envoie (les cadeaux) à eux -> Je leur envoie (les cadeaux).
A+B -> J'envoie les cadeaux à mes voisins -> Je les envoie à mes voisins -> Je les envoie à eux -> Je les leur envoie.

December 9, 2016

The direct pronoun les (like me and te) can only be used before the verb in the sentence. French has a specific set of pronouns that can stand alone or go at the end of the sentence. These are moi, toi, lui, elle, nous, vous, eux and elles.

December 9, 2016