*LES PRONOMS EN ET Y*

You still don't know the difference between *pronoun Y and pronoun EN?* You don't know which one
to use and when to use it?

The use of these two pronouns makes you confused. BUT for those who have been attending my
lectures, it's a child's play for them using them.

I will still explain the difference between EN and Y and show you how to use them.

You often hear French speakers use these little "en" and "y" words in their sentences.

But you have no idea how or when to use them.

Why do they say " *J'y* vais samedi" and " *J'en* mange tous les soirs"?

These pronouns, called *complement pronouns,* are very important in French and very useful in oral
conversations.

If you want to improve your oral fluency and speak like a Frenchman, you need to master the
complement pronouns "y" and "en".

*A complementary pronoun : what is it ?*

First, you need to understand what a pronoun is and what it's used for.

A better understanding of pronouns will allow you to make better use of these complement pronoms

First, let's remember what a pronoun is for.

*Here is an illustration of a simple sentence :*

*Le chien mange des pommes*

_Le chien= nominal group_

_Des pommes= nominal group complement_

Here, U see that *le chien* realizes the action while *des pommes* provides additional information.

So, we can say:

Le chien= subject or normal group

The primary function of a pronoun is to replace a noun or a nominal group.

Here the personal pronoun subject replaces the subject of the sentence.

*Il mange des pommes*

*The function of a complement pronoun :*

The function of the complement pronoun is to replace a complement nominal group.

It avoids a repetition of the complement in a sentence.

Exemple

Le chien mange des pommes

_Le chien *en* mange_

Here, you see that the pronoun *en* replace the nominal complement group introduced by *des*
*The complementary pronoun "en" :*

The complement pronoun " _en_ " *replaces a nominal complement group that is constructed with the
preposition "de" (d' - du - la - des).*

It can replace an indeterminate quantity introduced by the preposition " *de* " :

- Vous prenez *du* poulet ?

- Oui, je vais *en* prendre.

When the quantity is determined, it is added at the end of the sentence :

- Elle a combien *d'* enfants ?

- Elle *en* a _trois_ .

It can replace the complement introduced by a verb that is constructed with the preposition "de" :

- Tu te s'ouviens *de* son numéro de téléphone?

- Oui, je *m'en* souviens.

It can replace the complement introduced by an adjective that is constructed with the preposition "de" :

- Vous êtes satisfait *de* votre nouvelle voiture ?

- Oh oui ! *J'en* suis très satisfait.

*Note:* If the following complement is *an animated being (person or animal),* the preposition *"de" is
kept and replaced by a tonic pronoun :*

- Tu te souviens *de mon père ?* (animated being)

- Oui, je me souviens *de lui.* (no use of en cos it's an animated being.i, e can breath, eat and walk)

*The complement pronoun "y" :*

The complement pronoun " *y*" replaces a nominal complement group that is constructed with the
preposition *"à" (au - aux).*

It may replace a place complement introduced by the preposition " _à_ " :

- Elle va *à la plage* ?

- Oui, elle *y* va.

It may also replace a place complement which is not introduced by the preposition "à" :

- Tu vas dans ce magasin ?

- Oui, j'y vais.

It can replace a complement introduced by a verb built with the preposition "à" :

- Est-ce que tu pense à quitter ton travail ?

- Non, je n'y pense pas.