1. Les pronoms “y” et “en”

2. Le pronom “Y”
The pronoun “Y” is used to replace a place or location in a sentence once the place, location or destination has been identified. “Y” also may replace “à” plus a noun. (Remember, pronouns are used to replace nouns that are already mentioned to avoid repetition.

3. Key to using “Y”
The following prepositions indicate places, locations, and destinations and therefore indicate that “Y” should be used as the pronoun. It is also used to replace nouns which are not locations but follow one of these prepositions. à
to, at
chez
at the
aux
to the, at the
sur on en in au
to the, at the
sous
under
à la
to the, at the
dans in
à l’
to the, at the

4. Placing the pronoun “Y”
In a simple sentence (present, imperfect, future, conditional, subjunctive) y goes before the verb:
Est-ce que tu vas a FHS?
Oui, j’y vais.
Yes, I go there.
2. In the passé composé and other compound tenses, y goes before the auxiliary verb “avoir” or “être”.
Est-ce que tu as voyagé en France?
Oui, j’y ai voyagé.
Yes, I have traveled there.

5. Placing the pronoun “Y”
3. In a positive command the y goes after the verb:
Est-ce que je dois aller au supermarché?
Oui, vas-y
Yes, go there.
4. In negative commands the y goes before the conjugated verb.
Est-ce que je dois venir à la fête?
Non, n’y viens pas.
No, don’t come to it.

6. Placing the pronoun “Y”
5. In a sentence with an infinitive the y goes before the infinitive:
Est-ce que je dois placer les clés sur la table?
Oui, tu dois y placer les
clés.
Yes, you should place the keys there.

7. Le pronom “EN”
The pronoun “EN” is used to replace a quantity of something. It also replaces a noun which follows de, du, de la, de l’a and des. (Remember, pronouns are used to replace nouns that are already mentioned to avoid repetition.)

8. Key to using “EN”
The following prepositions indicate quantities and therefore indicate that “EN” should be used as the pronoun. It is also used to replace nouns which come after expressions of quantity and numbers. de
some
un/une
one, a du
some
beaucoup de
a lot of
de l’
some
combien de
how many of
des
some
assez de
enough of

9. Placing the pronoun “EN”
In a simple sentence (present, imperfect, future, conditional, subjunctive) en goes before the verb:
Est-ce que tu veux de la salade?
Oui, j’en veux.
Yes, I’d like some.
2. In the passé composé and other compound tenses, en goes before the auxiliary verb “avoir” or “être”.
Est-ce que tu as mangé du poulet?
Oui, j’en ai mangé.
Yes, I ate some.

10. Placing the pronoun “EN”
3. In a positive command the en goes after the verb:
Est-ce que je dois envoyer des invitations?
Oui, envoies-en
Yes, mail some.
4. In negative commands the en goes before the conjugated verb.
Est-ce que je dois apporter des disques?
Non, n’en apporte pas.
No, don’t bring any.

11. Placing the pronoun “EN”
5. In a sentence with an infinitive the en goes before the infinitive:
Est-ce que je dois placer des plats sur la table?
Oui, tu dois en placer sur la table.
Yes, you should place some on the table.