The use of the pronouns y and en is confusing, i know y is used for a place, but also with certain verbs followed by "a": pense a...for example. How do i know i don't use other direct or indirect object pronouns.
Same for "en", when do i use it and when do i use the direct object pronouns?
Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. First of all, let's look at direct-object pronouns.
me = me (m') in French
you, familiar & singular = te (t')
him = le (l')= also "it" when masculine singular
her = la (l')= also "it" when feminine singular
us = nous
you-all (formal or plural) = vous
them (people & things) = les
Certain verbs (hiding "to" "at" or "for" within the verb, take direct-object pronouns: écouter (to listen TO), regarder (to look AT), chercher = (to look FOR), attendre (to wait FOR), demander = (to ask FOR) and payer (to pay FOR.)
Now for uses of "en" and "y"
The Pronoun "en"
This pronoun replaces "de + noun" and generally refers to things. It is usually translated into English by "some, any, of it (them), from there."
"En" is always expressed in French, even though the equivalent may not be expressed in English. "En" must be used when the noun is omitted after a number, an adverb or noun of quantity, or an idiom rquiring "de."
Voici des framboises. "En" voulez-vous? = Here are some raspberries. Do you want SOME?
Elle n'en a pas acheté = She didn't buy ANY OR She bought none.
Vient-il de l'école? Oui, il en vient. = Does he come from school? Yes, he does come from there.
The Pronoun "y"
This pronoun always refers to things or places. It generally replaces "à + noun" but may also replace other prepositions of position, such as "chez, dans, en, sous, sur + noun."
In English "y" most commonly means "to it (them), in it (them), on it (them), there" (when the place has already been mentioned.) Sometimes the quivalent is not expressed in English.
Répondez à sa carte. Répondez-y. = Answer his card. Answer it.
Quel temps fait-il en France? Il y fait doux. = How is the weather in France? It is mild there.
Perhaps you don't need it yet, but there is a certain order in which these direct-object or indirect-object pronouns and "y" and "en" are placed with respect to a verb.
They come before the verb, EXCEPT in the affirmative imperative. The ORDER is:
me
te, le (l') lui
se > la (l') > leur > y > en VERB
nous les
vous
Order after the verb, in Affirmative Imperative:
-moi
VERB -le -toi
-la > -lui > y > en
-les -nous
-vous
-leur
Simply MEMORIZE those 2 charts!
Please feel free to ask any additional questions.
Mme
Understanding the use of pronouns y and en in French can be a bit confusing, but with some practice, it becomes easier.
Let's start with the pronoun "y." It is generally used to replace a prepositional phrase introduced by the preposition "à" or "dans" and indicates a place. For example, instead of saying "Je vais à Paris" (I am going to Paris), you can say "J'y vais" (I am going there). Similarly, instead of saying "Je suis dans la cuisine" (I am in the kitchen), you can say "J'y suis" (I am there).
However, "y" is also used with certain verbs that are followed by the preposition "à," such as "penser à" (to think about). For example, instead of saying "Je pense à mon ami" (I am thinking about my friend), you can say "J'y pense" (I am thinking about him/her). In this case, "y" refers to the prepositional phrase introduced by "à."
Now, let's move on to the pronoun "en." It generally replaces a noun introduced by the prepositions "de" or "dans." It is used to indicate quantity, possession, or origin. For example, instead of saying "J'ai beaucoup de livres" (I have a lot of books), you can say "J'en ai beaucoup" (I have a lot of them). Similarly, instead of saying "Je viens de France" (I come from France), you can say "J'en viens" (I come from there).
On the other hand, direct and indirect object pronouns replace people or things directly affected by the verb. Direct object pronouns include "le," "la," "les," "l'," while indirect object pronouns include "me," "te," "lui," "nous," "vous," "leur."
To determine whether to use "y" or a direct/indirect object pronoun, you need to look at the specific prepositions involved in the sentence and their function in relation to the verb. If a verb is followed by the preposition "à" and indicates a place, you would typically use "y," but if the verb is not followed by "à" and acts directly on a person or thing, you would use direct or indirect object pronouns accordingly.
Establishing these patterns and practicing with examples will help you become more comfortable with the use of "y" and "en" as well as direct and indirect object pronouns in French.