Verbs that take a or de where English expects no preposition

Level 2

In French, many common verbs require a specific preposition (usually à or de) to introduce their object. This differs from English, where the same verbs often take a direct object with no preposition (e.g., 'to call someone' vs. 'téléphoner à quelqu'un').

How It Works

French verbs fall into categories based on how they attach to their objects. Learners often struggle when the French structure doesn't match the English one.

1. Verbs with 'à' (Indirect Objects)
Many French verbs require à before a person, even if English doesn't use 'to'.

  • Téléphoner à (To call)
  • Ressembler à (To look like)
  • Obéir à (To obey)
  • Répondre à (To answer)

2. Verbs with 'de'
Some verbs require de to connect to their object.

  • Avoir besoin de (To need)
  • Se souvenir de (To remember)
  • Manquer de (To lack)

3. Verbs with NO preposition (Direct Objects)
Conversely, some French verbs take no preposition where English requires one (like 'for', 'at', or 'to').

  • Attendre (To wait for)
  • Chercher (To look for)
  • Regarder (To look at)
  • Écouter (To listen to)
  • Se rappeler (To remember)

Why this matters for Pronouns:
If a verb uses à for a person, use indirect object pronouns (lui/leur). If it's a thing, use the pronoun y. Note that some verbs like penser à are exceptions and require disjunctive pronouns (à lui, à elle).

For verbs with de, use the pronoun en for things, but use disjunctive pronouns for people (e.g., J'ai besoin de lui).

Why this matters for the Passé Composé:
Only Category 3 (Direct Objects) can trigger past participle agreement. Indirect objects (Categories 1 and 2) never trigger agreement.

Examples (5)

  1. Je téléphone à mon frère.

    I am calling my brother.

    Word by Word: I telephone to my brother.

    The verb 'téléphoner' always requires the preposition 'à' before the person being called.

  2. Elle ressemble à sa mère.

    She looks like her mother.

    Word by Word: She resembles to her mother.

    'Ressembler' requires 'à', whereas English uses the preposition 'like' or no preposition at all.

  3. Nous attendons le bus.

    We are waiting for the bus.

    Word by Word: We wait the bus.

    'Attendre' is a direct verb in French; do not add 'pour' even though English says 'wait for'.

  4. Tu écoutes la musique.

    You are listening to the music.

    Word by Word: You listen the music.

    'Écouter' takes a direct object in French, unlike the English 'listen to'.

  5. Il répond à la question.

    He answers the question.

    Word by Word: He responds to the question.

    'Répondre' requires 'à' before the object, unlike the English verb 'to answer'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'pour' with the verb 'attendre' (to wait for).

    J'attends pour le train.
    J'attends le train.

    In French, 'attendre' is a direct object verb. Adding 'pour' is a literal translation from English that is incorrect in French.

  • Confusing the structures of 'se souvenir de' and 'se rappeler'.

    Je me rappelle de ce film.
    Je me rappelle ce film.

    While 'se souvenir de' requires a preposition, 'se rappeler' is a direct object verb. Avoid mixing the two structures.

  • Using 'lui' to replace a thing after a verb taking 'à'.

    Je lui réponds (à la question).
    J'y réponds.

    The pronouns 'lui' and 'leur' are only for people. To replace a thing introduced by 'à', you must use the pronoun 'y'.

How It Connects

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Verbs that take a or de where English expects no prepositionLevel 2

Words in This Pattern