Unit 38: Personal pronouns - y, en

1 Y, en

The words y and en are object pronouns referring to places or things. As with other object pronouns, they come before the verb or auxiliary :

J'ai renoncé aux cigarettes  →  J'y ai renoncé  

I've given up cigarettes / I've given them up

Elle s'est occupée de l'affaire  →  Elle s'en est occupée  

She dealt with the matter / it

 

2 Y

2.1 Replacing à constructions

Y can replace words and phrases introduced by à:

Elle a consacré sa vie à la médecine  →  Elle y a consacré sa vie  

She devoted her life to medicine / it

Etes-vous parvenu à le faire?  →  Oui, j'y suis parvenu  

Did you manage to do it? Yes I did (manage it)

  See three more examples

2.2 Y meaning there

Y can also have the meaning of there:

Je les ai laissés dans la cuisine, mais ils n'y sont plus  

I put them in the kitchen, but they're no longer there

  See three more examples

2.3 Y in idioms

There are many idioms involving y. Here is a selection:

Cela s'est passé il y a trente ans  

That happened thirty years ago

Rien n'y fait - je n'arrive pas à le réparer  

It's no use - I can't fix it

Elle n'y peut rien  

There's nothing she can do about it

Tu n'y arriveras jamais  

You'll never manage

Je vais m'y mettre demain  

I'll start tomorrow

Elle s'y est prise à plusieurs fois  

She tried several times

Il s'y connaît en voitures  

He knows all about cars

Il s'y retrouve très bien  

He's coping very well

 

3 En

3.1 Replacing de constructions

En can replace words and phrases introduced by de:

Il se souvient bien de cette journée → Il s'en souvient bien  

He remembers that day well / He remembers it well

Je n'ai pas le droit de le faire - Si, tu en as le droit  

I don't have the right to do it - Yes you do (have the right)

  See three more examples

3.2 En replacing de as article

The same rule applies where the de is not a preposition (as in de cette journée) but an article (as in du chocolat):

Je voudrais du chocolat  →  J'en voudrais  

I'd like some chocolate / I'd like some

Je voudrais des cigarettes  →  J'en voudrais  

I'd like some cigarettes / I'd like some

  See three more examples

3.3 En replacing nouns introduced by un, une

En can also replace nouns introduced by un, une, even though it does not contain de, because the idea of of is implied. Note that in affirmative sentences un and une are retained, but not in negative sentences:

Est-ce que tu veux un chocolat? - Oui, j'en veux un  

Do you want a chocolate? - Yes, I do want one [i.e. of them]

Est-ce que tu veux un chocolat? - Non, je n'en veux pas  

Do you want a chocolate? - No, I don't want one [i.e. of them]

 

3.4 En replacing expressions of quantity

A similar structure is used for all numerals plus the following expressions of quantity:

 

 

Tu en veux un autre? J'en ai plusieurs  

Do you want another one? I have several

 

 

3.5 En in idioms

As with y, there are many idioms involving en. Here is a selection:

A en croire les journaux la situation s'aggrave  

If the papers are to be believed the situation is getting worse

Va-t'en  

Go away!

J'en ai pour 2 heures  

I'll be / It'll take me 2 hours

J'en ai assez de sa vantardise  

I've had enough of his / her boasting

J'en ai marre / ras-le-bol de ce projet  

I'm fed up with this project

Il lui en veut (d'avoir menti)  

He's annoyed with him / her (for lying)

Il s'en est pris à moi  

He took it out on me

Tu t'en sors?  

Can you manage?

 

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