mirthun1012

[charred wren]

Please be patient

Our volunteers look into many questions every day; sometimes it takes them a little while to answer.

Pro tip: you can rename the thread title with `.tr <thread name>`

Make it descriptive, including relevant context, but also to the point. This way you improve your chances of getting a more relevant and specific answer.

[twin topaz]

The first one. The second one works too but it has a different meaning. Say you're talking about a chair:
« Je la préfère verte (I prefer it green) »
implies that you have a chair that isn't green but you want it to be green.
« Je préfère la verte (I prefer the green one) »
implies that there are several chairs and you want the green one.

[swift apex]

note that "le/la/les" when used as a direct object is not the definite article
it's a direct object pronoun and functions differently to the definite article (even though the surface forms are the same)
notably, while the definite article obligatorily contracts after à and de, the direct objects le/la/les cannot contract with à or de

[undone ibex]

oh.. this making sense.. thank you

[undone ibex]

oh.. ok!
then.. by your explanation..
je la ai is correct? as la is direct object here, it should not contract

[twin topaz]

It contracts because it's a verb there, not a preposition.

[undone ibex]

oh yeah.. so sorryyyy

[twin topaz]

« la » generally doesn't contract but « le/les » do

ex: « je pense à + les fleurs -> je pense aux fleurs | il parle de + le garçon -> il parle du garçon »

that's when it's an article

but when it's a pronoun it doesn't

ex: « je commence à le faire | il a décidé de les rencontrer »

[undone ibex]

sorry.. i complelty misunderstood.. now i am clear thank you sir