Question 1

Why do we use à lui here instead of putting the indirect object pronoun lui before the verb?

Accepted Answer

Usually, "to him" translates to the indirect pronoun lui placed before the verb (like je lui parle). However, s'adresser is a reflexive verb, indicated by the pronoun vous. In French, you cannot put an indirect object pronoun directly before a reflexive verb. Instead, you must keep the preposition à after the verb and use a stressed pronoun like lui, elle, or eux.

Question 2

Why is there a second vous before adresser, and why isn't it placed before devez?

Accepted Answer

The first vous is the subject ("You"), and the second vous is the reflexive pronoun belonging to the infinitive s'adresser. Even when a reflexive verb is in the infinitive because it follows a conjugated verb like devez, its reflexive pronoun must still match the subject. This pronoun always stays directly in front of its own infinitive verb.

Question 3

What is the difference between using s'adresser à and parler à in this context?

Accepted Answer

While parler à simply means "to speak to," s'adresser à is slightly more formal and translates closer to "to address someone" or "to direct a request to someone." It is frequently used in professional or administrative contexts when you need to contact a specific person or department.

Question 4

Why is the adverb personnellement placed at the very end of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Long adverbs ending in -ment generally follow the verb they modify. Because s'adresser strongly requires its object phrase (à lui) to complete its meaning, the adverb personnellement is naturally placed after the entire verb phrase rather than interrupting it.

Vous devez vous adresser à lui personnellement.

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