Indirect object/direct object

Tim T.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I do not understand how the following sentence requires 'avoir'. Et alors, tu ________ retourné lentement tes cartes...

I would have thought that 'tes cartes' is an indirect object because the word 'lentement' sits between the verb and the object. Or is it that 'lentement', being an adverb, is treated as part of the verb, and therefore 'tes cartes' is the direct object of the compound verb 'retourné lentement'?

This question relates to:French lesson "Retourner can be used with avoir or être in compound tenses depending on its meaning in French (Le Passé Composé)"

Asked 3 years ago

Like0Answer1

CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Tim

The verb 'retourner' in this example is transitive -

retourner quelque chose = to turn something over

J'ai retourné mon matelas ce matin = I turned my mattress over this morning

Tu as retourné les cartes ... = You turned the cards over ...

'les cartes' is a direct object.

Bonne Continuation!

Like03 years ago

Tim T. asked:

indirect object/direct object

I do not understand how the following sentence requires 'avoir'. Et alors, tu ________ retourné lentement tes cartes...

I would have thought that 'tes cartes' is an indirect object because the word 'lentement' sits between the verb and the object. Or is it that 'lentement', being an adverb, is treated as part of the verb, and therefore 'tes cartes' is the direct object of the compound verb 'retourné lentement'?

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