The direct object (COD) in French

What is the direct object complement in French ?

The direct object complement (French: le complément d'object direct) is an element of the verbal group, not introduced by a preposition, which makes it possible to specify the object of an action performed. The COD allows to complete a verb.

The COD:

• Belongs to the verbal group          
• Is an essential complement, it can not be deleted because the sentence would not make sense anymore.               
• Is always preceded by a direct transitive verb.                
• is the word that becomes subject when turning the sentence to the passive form

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​How to recognize the COD in French ?

It is important to know what is the subject and the verb before finding out what is the direct complement. 

The direct object complement answers the following questions:

• Subject + verb + qui ? 
• Subject + verb + quoi ? 

​Examples

In these two examples, you will study the entire sentence. 

Nous achetons un cadeau. (we are buying a gift) 

• the subject is "nous"
• the verb is "achetons" 
• Now, ask the questions "quoi ?" to find the COD because here we are talking about an thing or an object. 
• Nous achetons quoi ? → un cadeau

Pierre attend son amie. (Peter is waiting for his friend) 

• the subject is "Pierre"
• the verb is "attend"
• Now ask the questions "qui ?" to find the COD because here we are talking about a person. 
• Pierre attend qui ? → son amie

The position of the COD in French 

The COD usually follows the verb except if it is a pronoun. The COD can be replaced with pronouns like: 

• le 
• la 
• les
• que 

When it is placed before the verb, the COD becomes a pronoun and has to agree in gender and number with the complement. 

Do not forget that when the COD is before the verb, it agrees with the verb that use the auxiliary avoir to form the compound times.

• Ils avaient mangé les lasagnes. 
• Ils les avaient mangés.  

The grammatical category of the COD in French 

The grammatical nature (French: la nature grammaticale) of a direct object can be: 

• a noun or nominal group 
• pronoun
• subordinate clause 
• an infinitive verb ​