Affirmative + pronouns: after the verb, hyphens, moi / toi
The Impératif Présent — Pronouns
The imperative is direct and concise, but pronouns have a special rule you must remember.
The Rule
-
In affirmative imperatives, the pronoun goes after the verb, connected with a hyphen.
-
Some pronouns change form:
- Te → Toi
- Me → Moi
Structure: Verb + - + Pronoun
Examples
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Lave-toi ! | Wash yourself! |
| Aide-moi ! | Help me! |
| Finissons-le ! | Let’s finish it! |
| Donne-lui ! | Give it to him/her! |
| Parlez-vous-en ! | Talk about it! |
Key Takeaways
- In affirmative imperatives, pronouns follow the verb and are linked by a hyphen
- Te → Toi and Me → Moi
- Essential for giving instructions with yourself, others, or objects
- Negative imperatives use a different placement (covered later)
In the app, you will find interactive exercises and quizzes tailored for this intermediate level.
Practice French conjugation for free in the Croissant Verbs app
Quizzes and spaced repetition for every tense, for free on your phone—plus short grammar guides on our Learn hub.
