leur/lœʁ/
pronoun / determiner · A1 · Frequency 341
pronouncommon
Meanings
(to) them (indirect object pronoun)
Used as an indirect object pronoun, typically referring to third person plural.
their (possessive adjective)
Used as a possessive adjective modifying plural nouns to indicate possession.
Examples
Je leur ai envoyé les documents hier soir.
I sent them the documents last night.
Le professeur leur explique la règle avec patience.
The teacher explains the rule to them patiently.
Nous leur proposerons une solution demain matin.
We will propose a solution to them tomorrow morning.
Collocations
- leur donnerto give to them
- leur parlerto speak to them
- leur maisontheir house
Common mistakes
Je leur vois chaque jour.
Je les vois chaque jour.
The pronoun leur is an indirect-object pronoun; because voir takes a direct object here, the direct-object pronoun les is required.
Related words
synonymleurredecoy
- antonymnouswe
Grammar note
As an indirect object pronoun, leur is used for third person plural and does not vary in gender or number; as a possessive adjective, leur is used for third person plural and does not change for gender or number.
determinercommon
Meanings
their
Used as a third-person plural possessive determiner indicating possession.
Examples
Leur projet avance plus vite que prévu.
Their project is progressing faster than expected.
J'ai envoyé leur invitation par courrier.
I sent their invitation by mail.
Le professeur a félicité leur équipe après la compétition.
The teacher congratulated their team after the competition.
Collocations
- leur voituretheir car
- leur maisontheir house
- leur travailtheir work
Common mistakes
leur est
leur sont
The possessive determiner 'leur' should be followed by a singular noun; using a plural verb is a common mistake.
leurs livre
leur livre
As a possessive determiner, 'leur' does not take a plural -s; adding it is a frequent mistake.