Indirect object pronouns in the past (lui ai, m'a)

To talk about arguments and hurt feelings, you will use vocabulary like se disputer (to argue) and un malentendu (a misunderstanding).

He is very angry and I am sad.
Il est très fâché et je suis triste.

Indirect Object Pronouns in the Passé Composé

Indirect object pronouns — like me (to me), lui (to him/her), and leur (to them) — replace the person receiving the action.

In the passé composé, place the indirect object pronoun directly before the conjugated auxiliary verb.

I spoke to him about this misunderstanding.
Je lui ai parlé de ce malentendu.
He explained his mistake to me.
Il m'a expliqué son erreur.
We told them the truth.
Nous leur avons dit la vérité.

When making a sentence negative, ne and pas (or plus) wrap around the pronoun and auxiliary verb together.

I didn't answer him anymore.
Je ne lui ai plus répondu.

Apologies and Reconciliations

Use this same word order to talk about making up. Pronouns stay right before the auxiliary verb, whether they are indirect objects or reflexive pronouns.

She called me to apologize.
Elle m'a téléphoné pour s'excuser.
The boy cried and he confessed his mistake to them.
Le garçon a pleuré et il leur a avoué sa faute.

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