Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns

How to Use Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns in French. Detailed explanations with examples of pronoun placement in indirect speech for learners enhancing subtle communication skills:

Work vs. Person

Germany

Germans separate the professional from the personal. Work colleagues can disagree, even argue, about the substance of an issue. This, however, does not have a negative effect on their working relationship. Patterns

United States

Americans connect the professional with the personal. Statements made about a proposal, a concept, or work results are by definition statements about that person’s competence, experience, and skills. Patterns

Direct vs. Indirect

Germany

Germans are direct. They say what they mean. And they mean what they say. Germans don’t use euphemisms to soften a message. They use unambiguous language. For Germans directness is efficient, effective, honest, transparent. Patterns

United States

Americans approach sensitive work topics cautiously. Euphemisms communicate uncomfortable messages. Ambiguity can be helpful. For Americans indirect communication is considered to be both polite and effective. Patterns

Yes

The German yes is more the exception than the rule. Germans are reluctant to enter into an agreement without being sure that they can fulfill it. When you get the German yes, however, it is firm. Patterns

No

The German no is more the rule than the exception. However, its level of firmness is based on context. The no can range from hard to flexible. Identifying the barriers to the yes reveals that range. Patterns

Context

The German yes means a high degree of commitment. Before granting it Germans want to be sure that they can fulfill it. In order to decide they request a lot of context information up-front. Patterns

Follow-up

In Germany follow-up is infrequent. Once an agreement has been made neither party feels the need to contact the other in order to check its status or priority. Agreed is agreed. Patterns

Deliverables

The Germans prefer a complete deliverable, even if late, over an incomplete deliverable, even if early. Lateness is tolerated as long as expectations are met. Completeness beats speed. Patterns

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