Indirect object pronouns
When someone receives an action—like when a doctor prescribes medicine to you, or a pharmacist gives a prescription to us—use an indirect object pronoun.
Indirect object pronouns answer the question "to whom" or "for whom" an action is done. Here are the first- and second-person forms:
| Pronoun | Meaning |
|---|---|
| me | to / for me |
| te | to / for you (singular/informal) |
| nous | to / for us |
| vous | to / for you (plural/formal) |
In English, these usually go after the verb ("He gives me a pill"). In French, they are placed directly before the conjugated verb.
| The doctor is prescribing me a medication. | Le médecin me prescrit un médicament. |
| The doctor is prescribing you these pills. | Le médecin vous prescrit ces pilules. |
Advising and giving
Indirect object pronouns are extremely common with verbs related to communicating, giving, and advising, such as donner (to give), conseiller (to advise), and recommander (to recommend).
| You are coughing, I advise you to take this syrup. | Tu tousses, je te conseille ce sirop. |
| The pharmacist is giving us a prescription. | Le pharmacien nous donne une ordonnance. |
Vowel contractions
Just like je becomes j' before a vowel, me and te drop their -e and become m' and t' before a vowel or mute h.
| The pharmacist is explaining the prescription to me. | Le pharmacien m'explique l'ordonnance. |
| I am bringing you an herbal tea. | Je t'apporte une tisane. |
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