PrepMyFrench
PrepMyFrench
Also known as: complément d'objet indirect · indirect object · French indirect object
COI means complément d'objet indirect, the indirect object of a French verb. It is introduced by a preposition, often à or de, and usually answers to whom, for whom, about what, or from what. In je parle à Marie, à Marie is the COI.
COI choice determines whether French uses lui, leur, y, en, or a full prepositional phrase. À + person usually becomes lui or leur; à + thing often becomes y.
COI control prevents common pronoun mistakes in exam writing and helps candidates avoid translating English object patterns too directly.
Try our AI-powered TEF/TCF Canada simulator — get a real score in under 30 seconds.
Start free practice