Les pronoms compléments
Direct and indirect object pronouns, and why they go before the verb in French.
The rule
Object pronouns replace a noun that's already been mentioned, saving you from repeating it. Direct object pronouns (le, la, les) replace a person or thing receiving the action directly. Indirect object pronouns (lui, leur) replace a person introduced by "à" (to/for someone).
In French, these pronouns go before the conjugated verb, not after like in English: Je le vois (I see him/it), not English word order.
In the passé composé, the past participle must agree with a preceding direct object: Je l'ai vue (referring to a feminine noun) gets an extra -e.
Examples
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Je le connais bien.I know him well.
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Elle la regarde.She's watching her/it.
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Nous les invitons.We're inviting them.
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Il lui parle souvent.He talks to her often.
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Je leur écris chaque semaine.I write to them every week.
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Tu l'as vue hier ?Did you see her yesterday?
Common mistakes
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Je vois le.Je le vois.
Object pronouns go before the verb in French, unlike in English.
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Je parle lui.Je lui parle.
"Lui" (to him/her) is an indirect object pronoun and also goes before the verb.
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Je l'ai vu (about a woman)Je l'ai vue.
The past participle agrees with a preceding direct object pronoun — add -e for a feminine referent.
