{"id":117765,"date":"2023-07-20T06:48:10","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T10:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/en-and-y-in-french\/"},"modified":"2024-12-16T12:31:46","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T17:31:46","slug":"en-and-y-in-french","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/french\/en-and-y-in-french\/","title":{"rendered":"En and Y in French: Your Guide to the French Adverbial Pronouns"},"content":{"rendered":"

At first glance,\u00a0y<\/em> and en<\/em> may look like your average French pronouns<\/a>.\u00a0But in fact, they act as if they’re adverbs and replace words that denote quantities, qualities, properties and relations.\u00a0The pronoun\u00a0y<\/em> replaces indirect objects following the preposition \u00e0\u00a0<\/i>(to), and it roughly means “there” in English.<\/p>\n

The pronoun\u00a0en<\/em> replaces indirect objects following the preposition\u00a0de<\/em> (of), and it roughly translates to “some” or “any.” Note also that the adverbial pronoun en<\/em> is different from the preposition\u00a0en<\/em> (in).<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]
\n<\/p>\n

How to Use the French Pronoun Y<\/i><\/h2>\n

As I previously mentioned, y<\/em>\u00a0replaces constructions that include the preposition \u00e0<\/i>, but there’s more to it than that. Read about the various uses and limitations of the pronoun y <\/em>below.<\/p>\n

In place of location nouns<\/h3>\n

In its simplest use, the pronoun\u00a0y<\/em> replaces the indirect object of the verb when it is followed by a noun that is a location.<\/p>\n

For example, look at the following phrase:<\/p>\n

Vous allez \u00e0 la biblioth\u00e8que?\u00a0<\/em>(Are you going to the library?)<\/p>\n

In case it’s unclear, la\u00a0<\/em>biblioth\u00e8que<\/em><\/strong> is a location<\/strong>. Now, if you wanted to make a really clear response, you can say something like:<\/p>\n

Oui, je vais \u00e0 la biblioth\u00e8que.<\/em>\u00a0(Yes, I am going to the library.)<\/p>\n

You will notice, however, that the response sounds formal and rigid. No one really talks like that. What we need is to replace \u00e0 la biblioth\u00e8que<\/em>.<\/p>\n

And we’ll do that with the pronoun y<\/em>. Observe:<\/p>\n

Oui<\/em>, j’y<\/strong> vais.\u00a0<\/em>(Yes, I’m going there.)<\/p>\n

In place of non-person nouns<\/h3>\n

Y <\/em> can also replace \u00e0 <\/i>structures that contain non-person nouns. So when a verb takes an indirect object, you can replace that indirect object with the pronoun y<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Check out this\u00a0example using the noun\u00a0le livre<\/em>\u00a0(the book):<\/p>\n

Tu\u00a0penses \u00e0 ton livre.\u00a0<\/em>(You’re thinking about your book.)<\/p>\n

Tu y<\/strong> penses.\u00a0<\/em>(You’re thinking about it.)<\/p>\n

In place of location constructions<\/h3>\n

Though the pronoun\u00a0y<\/em> is generally used to replace\u00a0\u00e0<\/em> paired with non-person and location nouns, you can also use it to replace other prepositions so long as they occur before a location noun.<\/p>\n

For example, you can use it with phrases that include\u00a0chez<\/em>, a preposition often used to refer to being “at” someone’s home,\u00a0or\u00a0dans<\/em> (in).<\/p>\n

Elle \u00e9tait\u00a0chez moi<\/strong>.<\/em> (She\u00a0was at my house.)<\/p>\n

Elle y<\/strong> \u00e9tait.\u00a0<\/em>(She was there.)<\/p>\n

Common mistakes<\/h3>\n

As with all French grammar<\/a>, the use of the pronoun\u00a0y<\/em> is pretty restrictive. So, you cannot use y<\/i> to replace \u00e0<\/i> +\u00a0a person, or \u00e0<\/em> + a verb.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, it doesn’t make sense to use it in the following ways:<\/p>\n

Je r\u00e9ponds \u00e0 Marie.\u00a0<\/em>(I’m responding to Marie.)<\/p>\n

J’y r\u00e9ponds.<\/s><\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

J’h\u00e9site \u00e0 lire le livre.\u00a0<\/em>(I hesitate to read the book.)<\/p>\n

J’y h\u00e9site.<\/s><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

There are also a number of expressions that have y<\/em> in them. These include, for example, il y a<\/em> <\/strong>(there is)<\/a> and allons-y<\/em><\/strong> (let’s go).<\/p>\n

It may be confusing for learners to wrap their heads around these expressions and the role that y<\/em> plays in them, but don’t worry about it! Because these are fixed expressions, you can just take them at face value.<\/p>\n

How to Use the French Pronoun En<\/em><\/h2>\n

In the same way that\u00a0y<\/em> replaces constructions with \u00e0\u00a0<\/i>to give the meaning “there,” en\u00a0<\/em>replaces ones that use\u00a0de\u00a0<\/em>(of) to give the meaning “some”\u00a0<\/em>or “any.” Check out these situations where you should (and shouldn’t) use en<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In place of nouns with de<\/em><\/h3>\n

First and foremost,\u00a0en<\/em> can replace nouns that use the partitive article<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>de<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/em>The partitive\u00a0de\u00a0<\/em>is the equivalent of saying “some”\u00a0<\/i>in English. Check out this example:<\/p>\n

Tu\u00a0as du th\u00e9?\u00a0<\/i>(Do you have\u00a0some tea?)<\/p>\n

Oui, j’en<\/strong> ai.\u00a0<\/em>(Yes, I have some.)<\/p>\n

Furthermore,\u00a0en<\/em> can replace\u00a0de<\/em> and a noun that has an indefinite article (un<\/em> or\u00a0une<\/em>):<\/p>\n

Il\u00a0a besoin d’une bo\u00eete?\u00a0<\/em>(Does he need a box?)<\/p>\n

Non, il n’en<\/strong> a pas besoin.\u00a0<\/em>(No, he doesn’t need one.)<\/p>\n

In place of quantified nouns<\/h3>\n

En<\/em> can replace nouns with quantifiers (i.e., something that gives a quantity or number).<\/p>\n

Here’s an example:<\/p>\n

J’ai beaucoup de livres.<\/em> (I have a lot of books.)<\/p>\n

J’en<\/strong> ai beaucoup.<\/em>\u00a0(I have a lot of them.)<\/p>\n

And here’s another example:<\/p>\n

Nous voulons quatre livres.\u00a0<\/em>(We want four books.)<\/p>\n

Nous en<\/strong> voulons quatre<\/em>. (We want four of them.)<\/p>\n

Keep in mind, however, that even though\u00a0en<\/em> replaces the noun and de<\/em> if it’s included, the modifier remains in its place<\/strong> in the sentence. That’s why both beaucoup<\/em> and\u00a0quatre<\/em> remained even when en<\/em> joined in on the fun.<\/p>\n

In place of nouns in set verb expressions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

En\u00a0<\/em>can replace\u00a0de<\/em> and the following noun\u00a0in situations where\u00a0de<\/em> is part of the verb phrase itself.<\/p>\n

For example, se souvenir<\/em>\u00a0de<\/em> is a set verb expression meaning “to remember.” Check out this example:<\/p>\n

Elle se souvient de ma\u00a0lettre.\u00a0<\/em>(She\u00a0remembers my letter.)<\/p>\n

Elle\u00a0s’en<\/strong> souvient.<\/em>\u00a0(She remembers it.)<\/p>\n

Common mistakes<\/h3>\n

Like\u00a0y<\/em>, you cannot use\u00a0en\u00a0<\/em>to replace\u00a0de<\/em> + a person or\u00a0de\u00a0<\/em>+ a verb.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, using it in the following sentences makes no sense. If you say these, a French speaker would look at you like you have brie cheese for brains:<\/p>\n

Elle parle de moi.<\/em> (She’s talking about me.)<\/p>\n

Elle en parle.<\/s><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Je choisis de faire mes devoirs.\u00a0<\/em>(I’m choosing to do my homework.)<\/p>\n

J’en choisis.<\/s><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pronoun Hierarchy in French<\/h2>\n

Remember those endless\u00a0rules that plague the French language? Well, the rules regarding\u00a0y<\/em> and\u00a0en<\/em> don’t stop here.<\/p>\n

If speakers use more than one pronoun in a phrase, it has to be done in a particular order. (Talk about being controlling, French!)<\/p>\n

In these situations, your direct object personal pronouns come first (me, te, nous, vous<\/em>), and then come your optional inanimate direct pronouns (le, la, les<\/em>). Next come your indirect objects (lui, leur<\/em>), and finally our new friends\u00a0y<\/em> and\u00a0en<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Check it out:<\/p>\n

me, te, nous, vous<\/em>
\nle, la, les<\/em>
\nlui, leur<\/em>
\ny<\/em>
\nen
\n<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

So, for example:<\/p>\n

J’ai donn\u00e9 du th\u00e9 \u00e0 ma m\u00e8re<\/em>. (I gave some tea to my mom.)<\/p>\n

Je lui<\/strong> en<\/strong> ai donn\u00e9.\u00a0<\/em>(I gave some to her.)<\/p>\n

Ways to Practice the French Pronouns En<\/em> and Y<\/em><\/h2>\n

The best ways to understand the peculiarities of any language are to practice it and hear it being spoken.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to encountering these adverbial pronouns out in the Wild West of French books<\/a>, movies<\/a> and television<\/a> <\/strong>(and you will encounter them often!), there are a number of online tests<\/strong> you can use for practicing y\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0en\u00a0<\/em>in particular.<\/p>\n

ToLearnFrench.com offers a quiz<\/a> to help you master these pronouns (scroll to the bottom).\u00a0Columbia University has a quiz<\/a>, too.\u00a0Even better, and speaking of the Wild West, the University of Texas has two quizzes\u2014one for y<\/em><\/a> and one for en<\/em><\/a>\u2014so you can practice them separately.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now you have everything you need to get the hang of these two tiny French pronouns.<\/p>\n

Time to get out there and practice!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

And One More Thing...<\/h2>\r\n

\r\n\tIf you like learning French at your own pace and from the comfort of your device, I have to tell you about FluentU<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

\r\nFluentU makes it easier (and way more fun) to learn French by making real content like movies and series accessible to learners. You can check out FluentU's curated video library, or bring our learning tools directly to Netflix or YouTube<\/strong> with the FluentU Chrome extension. \r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\"learn-french-with-videos\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nOne of the features I find most helpful is the interactive captions<\/strong>\u2014you can tap on any word to see its meaning, an image, pronunciation, and other examples from different contexts. It\u2019s a great way to pick up French vocab without having to pause and look things up separately.\r\n<\/p>

\r\n\"learn-french-with-movies\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nFluentU also helps reinforce what you\u2019ve learned<\/strong> with personalized quizzes. You can swipe through extra examples and complete engaging exercises that adapt to your progress. You'll get extra practice with the words you find more challenging and even be reminded you when it\u2019s time to review!\r\n<\/p>

\r\n\"practice-french-with-adaptive-quizzes\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

\r\nYou can use FluentU on your computer, tablet, or phone with our app for Apple or Android devices. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At first glance,\u00a0y and en may look like your average French pronouns.\u00a0But in fact, they act as if they’re adverbs and replace words that denote quantities, qualities, properties and relations.\u00a0The…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":236,"featured_media":117766,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"title":"En and Y in French: Your Guide to the French Adverbial Pronouns | FluentU French Blog","description":"French pronouns \"en\" and \"y\" can be tricky little guys, but they're essential for any French learner. In this post, you'll learn how and when to use both of these French adverbial pronouns. There's also example sentences and ways to practice using \"en\" and \"y\" in French. So click here to start learning!"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[570,577,585],"tags":[],"coauthors":[176],"class_list":["post-117765","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-french","category-french-grammar","category-parts-of-speech-french-grammar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/236"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117765"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117765\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":239077,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117765\/revisions\/239077"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117765"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=117765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}