I'm curious about why we say "Je lui parle", but "Je pense à lui. Can we say, "Je parle à lui" and Je lui pense"? Why does "parler" use an indirect object pronoun and "penser" use a stress pronoun? What is the reasoning behind this? Is it something to do with the meaning of the verbs, or is there no logic to it?
Inconsistency in object pronouns with parler and penser
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Belinda E.Kwiziq community member
Inconsistency in object pronouns with parler and penser
This question relates to:French lesson "Position of French Object Pronouns - with simple tenses"
Asked 1 month ago
Belinda,
Just the way it is for some verbs - penser being a common example. ( Some rhyme to it perhaps, but not necessarily lots of reason! )
See link on verbs that take an indirect object that cannot be replaced by an indirect object pronoun. Note also that ' y ' and ‘ en ‘ are adverbial pronouns, and not necessarily 'forbidden'.
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/indirect-objects-2/
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Ask a question![Kwizbot, a friendly bot](https://cdnfr.kwiziq.com/img/kwizbot/kwizbot-v2.svg)
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level