Elle/lui

Christer L.C1Kwiziq community member

Elle/lui

Greetings!

I don’t get why “her” is sometimes elle and sometimes lui. Can someone explain.

Christer 

Asked 5 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Christer,

They are different types of pronouns :

When lui is her, him or it, it is an indirect object pronoun.

Take a look at the following Kwiziq lesson for further information -

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/glossary/pronoun-type/pronoms-d-objet-indirect-indirect-object-pronouns

When 'elle ' is her and 'lui' is him  it can be a stress pronoun -

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/moi-toi-lui-elle-me-you-him-her-simple-cases-that-use-stressed-pronouns

like the ones used after prepositions like 'chez'

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/common-uses-of-moi-toi-lui-elle-nous-vous-eux-elles-disjunctivestress-pronouns

Hope this helps!

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The difference is in elle being the stress pronoun and lui the indirect object. Stress pronouns are usually used at the end of a sentence and after a preposition.

Marie est plus grande que Lucie. Marie est plus grande qu'elle. -- Marie is taller than Lucie. Marie is taller than her.

This is an example for a stress pronoun.

Tu as envoyé la lettre à Marie? Oui, je lui a envoyé  la lettre hier. -- Did you send the letter to Marie? Yes, I sent her the letter yesterday.

Here, lui replaces à Marie, the indirect object of the sentence.


Elle/lui

Greetings!

I don’t get why “her” is sometimes elle and sometimes lui. Can someone explain.

Christer 

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!