4.9. Y et en (replacing Places and Prepositional Phrases)

4.9.1. The Main Idea

French uses y and en to replace some phrases so you do not have to repeat them.

At this level, focus on the simplest idea:

y often replaces à + place.en often replaces de + place.

4.9.2. Y: There / To a Place

Use y to replace a place introduced by à, au, à la, à l’, or aux.

4.9.3. En: From There

Use en to replace a place introduced by de, du, de la, de l’, or des.

4.9.4. Word Order

Y and en usually go before the verb.

Tiny word, big job. It slips in before the verb like a little grammatical key.

4.9.5. Simple Questions and Answers

4.9.6. Core Patterns

4.9.7. Practice

I am going there. |

He is going there. |

I am coming from there. |

She is coming from there. |

Are you going to the café? Yes, I am going there. |

Are you coming from class? Yes, I am coming from there. |

4.9.8. Answers

4.9.9. Short Dialogue

4.9.10. Checkpoint

By the end of this lesson, you should understand that y can replace à + place, en can replace de + place, and both usually go before the verb.

4.9.11. Try It Out

Try saying this in French:

Are you going to the café?

Yes, I’m going there.

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