Object pronouns before an infinitive
In sentences with a conjugated verb followed by an infinitive (like 'I want to eat it'), the pronoun goes between the two verbs: Je veux le manger.
How It Works
When a pronoun is the object of an action expressed by an infinitive, it is placed immediately before that infinitive. This happens frequently with modal verbs (like vouloir, pouvoir, or devoir), the futur proche, and the venir de construction.
1. Word Order:
Subject + Conjugated Verb + Pronoun + Infinitive.
Example: Je vais le voir. (I am going to see him.)
2. Reflexive Pronouns:
This rule also applies to reflexive pronouns. They must move to the position before the infinitive.
Example: Je vais me laver. (I am going to wash myself.)
3. Negation:
In negative sentences, the ne...pas structure wraps around the conjugated verb only. The pronoun stays tucked safely next to the infinitive.
Example: Je ne vais pas le voir. (I am not going to see him.)
4. Prepositions:
If the infinitive is introduced by a preposition like de or à, the pronoun still goes immediately before the infinitive, after the preposition.
Example: J'essaie de lui parler. (I am trying to speak to him.)
5. Past Participle Agreement:
Note that in compound tenses, the past participle does not agree with the object if that object belongs to the infinitive. For example: Les fleurs que j'ai voulu acheter (The flowers I wanted to buy).
6. Exceptions:
This rule does not apply to the faire causative, laisser, or verbs of perception (voir, entendre). In those specific cases, the pronoun moves before the conjugated verb.
Examples (5)
- Je peux vous aider ?
Can I help you?
Word by Word: I can you to help?
The pronoun 'vous' is placed before the infinitive 'aider' because it is the object of the helping action.
- Elle va lui donner le cadeau.
She is going to give him the gift.
Word by Word: She goes to him to give the gift.
In the futur proche, the indirect object pronoun 'lui' precedes the infinitive 'donner'.
- Nous ne voulons pas en acheter.
We do not want to buy any.
Word by Word: We not want not of it to buy.
The negation 'ne...pas' surrounds 'voulons', while 'en' stays before the infinitive 'acheter'.
- Tu dois y aller demain.
You must go there tomorrow.
Word by Word: You must there to go tomorrow.
The adverbial pronoun 'y' (there) is placed before the infinitive 'aller'.
- Il vient de l'inviter.
He just invited her.
Word by Word: He comes from her to invite.
Even with the preposition 'de' in 'venir de', the pronoun 'l'' stays right before the infinitive.
Common Mistakes
Placing the pronoun after the infinitive (English word order).
Je vais voir le.Je vais le voir.In French, object pronouns must precede the verb they modify. They cannot hang off the end of the sentence like in English.
Incorrectly applying past participle agreement to the conjugated verb.
Les fleurs que j'ai voulues acheter.Les fleurs que j'ai voulu acheter.When a preceding direct object (like 'les fleurs') is the object of the infinitive ('acheter') rather than the conjugated verb ('voulu'), the past participle does not agree.
Including the pronoun inside the 'ne...pas' negation.
Je ne le vais pas voir.Je ne vais pas le voir.The negation only negates the 'intent' or 'possibility' (the conjugated verb), so the pronoun stays with the 'action' (the infinitive).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn object pronoun placement with an infinitive, you first need to be comfortable with the forms of the object pronouns themselves. You should also understand the default rule where pronouns precede a single conjugated verb, as the infinitive rule is a specific variation of this logic. Finally, familiarity with structures like the 'futur proche' is essential, as they provide the 'conjugated verb + infinitive' framework where this rule operates.
- Object pronouns come before the verb
Understanding the standard rule (pronoun before the conjugated verb) is necessary to contrast it with the specific rule for infinitives.
Level 2 - aller + InfinitiveNear Future with Aller + Infinitive
This pattern provides the most common grammatical context (conjugated verb + infinitive) where this specific pronoun placement rule is applied.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- me / te / le / la / nous / vous / lesDirect Object Pronouns Me/te/le/la/nous/vous/les
Provides the forms of the pronouns (le, la, les) that are being placed in these sentences.
Level 2 - me / te / lui / nous / vous / leurIndirect Object Pronouns Me/te/lui/nous/vous/leur
Provides the forms of the pronouns (lui, leur) used when the action is directed 'to' someone.
Level 2 - Object pronoun position with faire causative
This is the primary exception to the infinitive rule, where the pronoun actually moves to the front.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Object pronouns before an infinitive in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes French lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
