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Course: French English Spanish Greek
Explanations in: Greek English Spanish French
A2

The pronouns y and en

Two small words English doesn't need: y (there, to it) and en (some, of it, of them).

Y: replaces a place or à + thing

  • Tu vas à Paris ? – Oui, j'y vais demain.
    Are you going to Paris? – Yes, I'm going (there) tomorrow.
  • Elle est chez elle ? – Non, elle n'y est pas.
    Is she at home? – No, she isn't (there).
  • Tu penses à ton examen ? – Oui, j'y pense.
    Are you thinking about your exam? – Yes, I'm thinking about it.

En: replaces de + thing, or a quantity

  • Tu veux du pain ? – Oui, j'en veux.
    Do you want some bread? – Yes, I want some.
  • Vous avez des enfants ? – Oui, j'en ai deux.
    Do you have children? – Yes, I have two.
  • Tu parles de ton travail ? – Non, je n'en parle pas.
    Do you talk about your work? – No, I don't talk about it.

Y and en go in the same position as other object pronouns. Set phrases you'll hear all the time: On y va ! (Let's go!), Il y en a (There are some), Je m'en vais (I'm off), Ça y est ! (That's it! / Done!).

Test yourself

  1. Replace: Je vais au marché.
    Show answer
    J'y vais.
  2. Replace: Il boit du vin.
    Show answer
    Il en boit.
  3. Answer: Tu as des chats ? – Oui, ___ trois.
    Show answer
    Oui, j'en ai trois.
  4. Replace: Nous sommes allés en Écosse.
    Show answer
    Nous y sommes allés.