Agreement Exceptions with Direct Object Pronouns (e.g.
, Je l'ai achetée)
1. Introduction to Direct Object Pronouns
Objective: Introduce the concept of direct object pronouns to young learners in a fun and
relatable way.
Key Vocabulary:
le (him/it - masculine)
la (her/it - feminine)
les (them - plural)
l' (him/her/it before a vowel or silent 'h')
Story-based Introduction: Meet Zoe and Leo, two kids who love talking about their favorite
toys, books, and animals. When they talk about these things over and over again, they use
short words instead of repeating the object!
Example:
Zoe: "Tu vois le chien?"
Leo: "Oui, je le vois."
Activity: Use toy figures or flashcards. Show an object and ask, "Qui voit le ballon?" Have the
children answer using the correct pronoun.
2. Agreement Rule Overview
In French, when a direct object pronoun comes before the verb avoir, and the object is
feminine or plural, we must agree the past participle with it.
Example:
J'ai vu la voiture. → Je l'ai vue. ("vue" agrees with "la voiture")
J'ai pris les clés. → Je les ai prises.
How to Spot Agreement:
Ask: Is there a direct object before the verb?
Is it feminine or plural?
Make the past participle match!
3. Agreement Exceptions Explained Simply
A. Only When the Pronoun is BEFORE the Verb
If the direct object is after the verb, no agreement.
J'ai vu la voiture. (no agreement)
Je l'ai vue. (agreement)
B. When using être verbs, it's not about the pronoun
This rule is only for avoir verbs.
Elle est allée à l'école. (uses être, different rule)
C. In questions, it's the same!
Quelle robe as-tu achetée?
Les clés? Tu les as prises?
6. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with the correct form
1. J'ai vu la fille. Je ___ ai ___.
2. Il a mangé les pommes. Il ___ a ___.
3. Nous avons pris la valise. Nous ___ avons ___.
Exercise 2: Choose the correct form
1. Je les ai (pris / prises).
2. Il l'a (acheté / achetée).
3. Tu les as (oublié / oubliées).
Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentence
Rewrite using the pronoun and correct agreement.
1. J'ai lavé les chaussettes. → ____________________________
2. Elle a lu la lettre. → ____________________________
3. Nous avons vu les filles. → ____________________________
7. Classroom Quizzes
Quiz 1: Multiple Choice
Which sentence is correct? A. Je l'ai acheté. B. Je l'ai achetée. C. Je l'ai achetées.
Quiz 2: Picture Quiz
Show pictures with objects (e.g., une robe, des clés) and verbs (e.g., acheter, prendre).
Students must write the correct sentence.
Quiz 3: True or False
The past participle always agrees with the subject. (False)
We make agreement only when the object pronoun comes before. (True)
8. Review and Summary
Agreement with Direct Object Pronouns:
Happens only when the pronoun is before the verb.
Use correct gender and number.
Only for avoir verbs.
Remember the Steps:
1. Is there a direct object pronoun before the verb?
2. What is its gender/number?
3. Make the verb agree!
9. Answer Key
Exercise 1:
1. Je l'ai vue.
2. Il les a mangées.
3. Nous l'avons prise.
Exercise 2:
1. prises
2. achetée
3. oubliées
Exercise 3:
1. Je les ai lavées.
2. Elle l'a lue.
3. Nous les avons vues.
Quiz 1: B
Quiz 3: False, True
