The pronoun EN in French

The pronoun EN in French : summary

 The French pronoun EN in French replace :

1. a COD introduced by DE, DU, DE LA, DES, UN, UNE/ a quantity / a number

2. a COI introduced by DE 

3. a Complement of Place introduced by DE 

 EN is always placed before the verb (except in the affirmative imperative)

 EN does not exist in other languages. That's why it causes so many problems for foreign students!

HOW DO YOU USE THE PRONOUN EN?

If you're wondering how to use the pronoun EN in French, you've come to the right place!

Here we go ...

1. Pronoun EN replace a COD

• The pronoun EN can replace a COD introduced by a partial article.

Example:

•  The pronoun EN can also replace a COD introduced by an indefinite article.

 Reminder: Indefinite articles are: un, une and des.

Example :

 It is essential to use the pronoun EN and to repeat the article un or une at the end of the sentence.

Except in the negative form:

Example :

 The indefinite article DES is not repeated at the end of the sentence neither.

Example :

 To replace a COD introduced by a definite article (la, la, les, l' ), a possessive adjective (mon, ton, son, ...) or a demonstrative adjective (ce, cet, cette, ces), we use not EN but other COD pronouns.

Examples :

• The pronoun EN can also replace a COD introduced by a cardinal numeral adjective.

Reminder: Cardinal numeral adjectives are all numbers in French: deux, trois, quatre, ...

Example :

 Here too, you must use the pronoun EN and repeat the number at the end of the sentence.

• The pronoun EN can replace a COD introduced by a quantity + DE (un peu de, beaucoup de, trop de, un paquet de, un tas de, assez de, un kilo de, etc.)

Example : 

 Here too, use EN and repeat the quantity at the end of the sentence.

 The past participle never agrees with the pronoun EN, even if it comes before it.

Example :

No E at the end of "perdu" even if EN replaces "clé" which is a fem/sing COD placed before the past participle.

2. The pronoun EN in French replaces a COI introduced by DE

• EN replaces a COI (animal or object) which answers the question DE QUOI?

Example :

• To replace a human COI that answers the question DE QUI ?, we don't use the pronoun EN but rather a tonic pronoun.

Example :

BUT

 In everyday French, French speakers often use the pronoun EN to replace a human COI. This is incorrect, but very frequent.

3. The pronoun EN replaces a complement of place introduced by DE

The pronoun EN replace a complement of place that answers the question D'OÙ  ?

Example :

pronoun EN or Y ?

The pronoun Y substitutes a complement of place introduced by à, chez, dans, sous sur, ... but not DE

Students often feel confused about using the pronouns EN or Y.

Remember that:

• The pronoun Y replaces a complement that answers the question OÙ ?
• The pronoun Y replaces all complements of place, except those introduced by the preposition DE.

Examples :

BUT

EN : pronoun or preposition ?

Don't confuse the pronoun EN with the preposition EN, even if their pronunciation is the same.

• The preposition EN is used before a complement of place, manner, means or time, or to introduce a complement of the noun or adjective.

Examples :

J'irai en Italie. 

I'm going to Italy.

Je me sens en pleine forme.

I feel great.

Tu voyages en train.

You travel by train.

J'ai fini ce travail en une heure.

I finished this job in an hour.

Un chat en peluche

A stuffed cat

Des poissons hauts en couleurs

Colorful fishes

ON THE CONTRARY :

• The pronoun EN replaces a complement (COD, COI or place complement)

Example :

WHERE TO PUT THE PRONOUN EN in French?

• The pronoun EN is almost always placed before the verb, whether :

- a conjugated verb

Example:

On en boit tous les jours.    

We drink it every day.

- an auxiliary

Example:

J'en ai vu.    

I've seen some.

• The pronoun EN is placed between the modal verb and the infinitive.

 Reminder: Modal verbs are: pouvoir, savoir, vouloir et devoir.

Example :

On peut en discuter un instant ?   Can we talk about this just a moment?

THE PRONOM EN IN AN IMPERATIVE PHRASE

• In an affirmative imperative sentence, EN is placed after the verb.

Example :

Prends de la vitamine D ! Prends-en !

Take some vitamin D! Take some!

• In a negative imperative sentence, EN is placed before the verb.

Example :

Ne mange pas de fast food !  N'en mange pas !

Don't eat fast food!  Don't eat it!

THE PRONOM EN IN A NEGATIVE PHRASE

Subject + n‘ + en + verb + pas

Example :

Negation can be expressed in different ways with the pronoun EN.

Example : 

The pronoun EN in a question

In the 3 types of French questions, EN is placed before the verb.

Examples :

Est-ce que tu en veux ?     

Tu en veux ?      

En veux-tu ?    

Do you want some ?

THE PRONOM EN WITH OTHER PRONOMS

Complementary pronouns are generally placed before the verb and in this order:

Order of pronoun complements :

Examples :

Je parle de mon nouveau boulot à Benoit. Je lui en parle.

I tell Benoit about my new job I tell him about it.

Je me fiche de savoir la vérité.  Je m'en fiche.

I don't care about knowing the truth. I don't care about it.

Je n'ai pas pu empêcher ma sœur de partir.  Je n'ai pas pu l'en empêcher.

I couldn't stop my sister from leaving.  I couldn't stop her from doing it.

EXPRESSIONS WITH THE PRONOM EN

s'en aller / en vouloir / en avoir assez / s'en faire

 These locutions have a specific meaning and are always used with the pronoun EN.

Here, EN is not a pronoun.

Examples :

Je m'en vais.    

I'm leaving.

Elle s'en veut de ne pas l'avoir aidé.    

She blames herself for not helping him/her.

J'en ai assez de tous ces devoirs.   I'm tired of all this homework.

Ne t'en fais pas.     

Don't worry.

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