French Double Pronouns

A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun. Pronouns can do all of the things that nouns can do. For example, you may want to use a direct object or indirect object pronoun, a reflexive pronoun, or an adverbial pronoun such as Y or EN to avoid repetition. Make sure you understand how to use each type of pronoun before venturing to use more than one of them in a sentence.

Many times you will want to use French double pronouns in a sentence, and when you do, there’s a strict order to follow. Use the following chart to know the order in which you should place the pronouns.

The order of pronouns changes slightly when using the affirmative imperative. Scroll down to watch my video lesson on double pronouns, or watch it on YouTube, and you can download a free PDF of this lesson guide in my private French Grammar Library.

Normal French Double Pronouns Order

Pronouns precede the verb and must be placed in this order:

ME
TE	LE
NOUS	LA	LUI
VOUS	LES	LEUR	Y	EN

Present tense examples – French Double Pronouns before the main verb

Je lis une histoire aux enfants.	I am reading a story to the children.
Je leur en lis une.	I am reading them one.

Je ne lis pas une histoire aux enfants.	I am not reading a story to the children.
Je ne leur en lis *pas* une.	I am not reading them one.

Passé composé examples – French Double Pronouns before the helping verb

J’ai lu une histoire aux enfants.	I read a story to the children.
Je leur en ai lu une.	I read them one.

Je n’ai pas lu une histoire aux enfants.	I did not read a story to the children.
Je ne leur en ai *pas* lu une.	I did not read them one.

Futur proche examples – French Double Pronouns before infinitives

Je vais lire une histoire aux enfants.	I am going to read a story to the children.
Je vais leur en lire une.	I am going to read them one.

Je ne vais pas lire une histoire aux enfants.	I am not going to read a story to the children.
Je ne vais pas leur en lire une.	I am not going to read them one.