faire mal

Jagoda D.B1Kwiziq community member

faire mal

Elle va faire mal à lui. Why this is not correct? can't understand. 
Asked 3 years ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Jagoda,

When the indirect object of an infinitive verb is replaced by an indirect object pronoun, the indirect object pronoun goes in front of the infinitive verb it is the object of:

elle fait mal à Paul -> elle lui fait mal 

elle va faire mal à Paul -> elle va lui faire mal

See link here: indirect object pronouns  -  position-of-object-pronouns-in-sentences-with-infinitives

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Because lui is already the indirect object pronoun and hence includes the preposition à. The correct answer is: Elle va lui faire mal.

Rebecca L.C1Kwiziq community member

I understand that when the noun is replaced by a pronoun, it somehow includes the à, but why is there a du in the answer:   Elle va lui faire du mal.  ?  Shouldn't it just be Elle va lui faire mal?

faire mal

Elle va faire mal à lui. Why this is not correct? can't understand. 

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
I'll be right with you...