15.8.3.2 Learn verbs with preposition and kind of object
When studying French verbs it is useful to learn the verb including the preposition and the kind of object it uses. Even though the thumb rule works quite well: persons are usually indirect objects, non-living things are direct objects (however, this is only a rough rule, that does not always work).
Examples
donner quelque chose à quelqu' un
to give something to someone
Je lui donne les clés.
I give him the keyes. (him = indirect object; the keys = direct object)
There are some examples that do not work this way:
Examples
chercher quelqu' un
to look for someone
Je t' ai cherché(e) partout. (person => direct object)
I was looking for you everywhere.
Je l' aide à résoudre ce problème. (person => direct object)
I help him to solve the problem.
Je le remercie de m'avoir appelé(e). (person => direct object)
