Les pronoms “y” et “en”

Le pronom “Y” The pronoun “Y” is used to replace a place or location in a sentence once the place, location or destination has been identified. “Y” also may replace “à” plus a noun. Remember, pronouns are used to replace nouns that are already mentioned to avoid repetition.

Key to using “Y” The following prepositions indicate places, locations, and destinations and therefore indicate that “Y” should be used as the pronoun. It is also used to replace nouns which are not locations but follow one of these prepositions. à to, at chez at the aux to the, at the sur on en In (fem countries) au to the, at the (masc. countries) sous under à la to the, at the dans in à l’ to the, at the (vowels or H)

Placing the pronoun “Y” In a simple sentence (present, imperfect, future, conditional, subjunctive) y goes before the verb: Est-ce que tu vas à HEB? Oui, j’y vais. Yes, I go there. Non, je n’y vais pas! 2. In the passé composé and other compound tenses, y goes before the auxiliary (helping) verb “avoir” or “être”. Est-ce que tu as voyagé en France? Oui, j’y ai voyagé. Yes, I have traveled there. Non, je n’y ai pas voyagé

Placing the pronoun “Y” 3. In a positive command the y goes after the verb: Est-ce que je dois aller à Klein Collins? Oui, vas-y (allez-y) Yes, go there. 4. In negative commands the y goes before the conjugated verb. Est-ce que je dois aller à la fête? Non, n’y viens pas. No, don’t come to it.

Placing the pronoun “Y” 5. In a sentence with an infinitive the y goes before the infinitive: Est-ce que je dois placer les clés sur la table? Oui, tu dois y placer les clés. Yes, you should place the keys there. Non, tu ne dois pas y placer les clés

Le pronom “EN”-(SOME, ANY, OF IT) The pronoun “EN” is used to replace a quantity of something. It also replaces a noun which follows de, du, de la, de l’ and des. (Remember, pronouns are used to replace nouns that are already mentioned to avoid repetition.)

Key to using “EN” The following prepositions indicate quantities and therefore indicate that “EN” should be used as the pronoun. It is also used to replace nouns which come after expressions of quantity and numbers. de some un/une one, a du Some (m.) beaucoup de a lot of de l’ some combien de how many of des some assez de enough of

Placing the pronoun “EN” In a simple sentence (present, imperfect, future, conditional, subjunctive) en goes before the verb: Est-ce que tu veux de la salade? Oui, j’en veux. Yes, I’d like some. Non, je n’en veux pas 2. In the passé composé and other compound tenses, en goes before the auxiliary verb “avoir” or “être”. Est-ce que tu as mangé du poulet? Oui, j’en ai mangé. Yes, I ate some. Non, je n’en ai pas mangé. No, I did not eat any.

Placing the pronoun “EN” 3. In a positive command the en goes after the verb: Est-ce que je dois envoyer des invitations? Oui, envoies-en! Yes, mail some. 4. In negative commands the en goes before the conjugated verb. Est-ce que je dois apporter des disques? Non, n’en apporte pas. No, don’t bring any.

Placing the pronoun “EN” 5. In a sentence with an infinitive the en goes before the infinitive: Est-ce que je dois placer des plats sur la table? Oui, tu dois en placer sur la table. Yes, you should place some on the table. Non, tu ne dois pas en placer sur la table.