Word order with pronoun "cela" or "ça"

Craig B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Word order with pronoun "cela" or "ça"

"Parfait, je vais prendre ça"  or "Parfait, je vais prendre cela" .
Why not "je vais ça prendre" ?  Isn't the object pronoun before the verb?

Asked 2 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Craig,

The point is that ça/cela (this/that)  is not an object pronoun but a demonstrative pronoun, so it doesn't follow object pronoun rules.

I am not sure which lesson is pinned to this writing exercise but if it is an object pronoun one, maybe that's an error so please let me know.

Bonne Continuation !

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The word order with ça or cela is different. Why? One of those cases where you just shrug the shoulders, I guess.

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

As I understand it, other pronouns have the same exception - many indefinite pronouns for example. 

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/object-pronoun-placement/

Craig B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

sadly the referenced lesson doesn't address ça/cela.  Perhaps it could be added to the lesson?

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I agree specific clarification would help.  I think the point is, an ‘object pronoun’ is one of the specific, defined group of pronouns referred to as such, not all pronouns that can be used as an object. Ça/cela is likely not specifically mentioned as it is not an ‘object pronoun’, nor are other demonstrative or indefinite pronouns. 

Word order with pronoun "cela" or "ça"

"Parfait, je vais prendre ça"  or "Parfait, je vais prendre cela" .
Why not "je vais ça prendre" ?  Isn't the object pronoun before the verb?

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