{"id":13619,"date":"2025-04-07T13:02:38","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T12:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frenchfacile.com\/?p=13619"},"modified":"2025-04-07T13:10:08","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T12:10:08","slug":"the-pronoun-en-in-french","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frenchfacile.com\/en\/the-pronoun-en-in-french\/","title":{"rendered":"The pronoun EN in French"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\ud83d\udc49 All you need to know about the pronoun En in French: How and when to use it (Bonus video) + Exercises & Corrections<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":13622,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":"

The pronoun EN in French : summary<\/h2><\/div>

\"\u2714\ufe0f\" The French pronoun EN <\/strong>in French replace :<\/p>

1. a COD<\/strong> introduced by DE, DU, DE LA, DES, UN, UNE\/ a quantity \/ a number<\/strong><\/p><\/div>

<\/thead>
\t

Je cuis du pain<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\"  J'en<\/strong> cuis.<\/p>

J'ai 3 voitures<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\"  J'en<\/strong> ai 3<\/strong>.<\/p>

Il a peu de temps<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Il en<\/strong> a peu<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

\t

I bake bread. \"\ud83d\udc49\" I bake it.
I've got 3 cars. \"\ud83d\udc49\" I have 3 of them.<\/p>

He has little time. \"\ud83d\udc49\" He has few. <\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

\t

2. a COI<\/strong> introduced by DE <\/strong><\/p><\/div>

<\/thead>
\t

Il parle de ce livre<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Il en<\/strong> parle.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

\t

He talks about this book. \"\ud83d\udc49\" He talks about it.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

\t

3. a Complement of Place<\/strong> introduced by DE <\/strong><\/p><\/div>

<\/thead>
\t

Je viens de Rio<\/span>.  J'en<\/strong> viens.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

\t

I come from Rio. \"\ud83d\udc49\" I come from there.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

\t

\"\u2714\ufe0f\" EN is always placed before the verb<\/strong> (except in the affirmative imperative)<\/p>

\"\u2714\ufe0f\" EN does not exist in other languages. That's why it causes so many problems for foreign students!<\/p>


<\/p><\/div>

HOW DO YOU USE THE PRONOUN EN?<\/h2><\/div>
\t

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

Here we go ...<\/p>


<\/p><\/div>

1. Pronoun EN replace a COD<\/span><\/h5><\/div>
  • The pronoun EN can replace a <\/span>COD introduced by a partial article.<\/span><\/h5><\/li><\/ul><\/div>
    \"\ud83d\udca1\"Reminder: Partitive articles are: du, de la de l' and des.

    Example:<\/span><\/p><\/div>

    <\/thead>
    \t

    Je mange de la tarte. \"\ud83d\udc49\" J'en<\/strong> mange.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

    \t

    I'm eating pie. \"\ud83d\udc49\" I'm eating it.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

    •  The pronoun EN can also replace a COD introduced by an indefinite article<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>

      \"\ud83d\udca1\" Reminder: Indefinite articles are: un, une and des.<\/p>

      Example :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

      <\/thead>
      \t

      Elle a fait une pause \u00e0 16 h. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Elle en<\/strong> a fait une<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

      \t

      She took a break at 4pm. \"\ud83d\udc49\" She did it.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

      \"\u26a0\ufe0f\" It is essential to use the pronoun EN and to repeat<\/strong> the article un or une at the end of the sentence.<\/p>

      Except in the negative form:<\/p>

      Example :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

      <\/thead>
      \t

      Elle n'a pas fait de pause<\/span> \u00e0 16 h. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Elle n'en<\/strong> a pas fait.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

      \t

      She didn't take a break at 4pm. \"\ud83d\udc49\" She didn't take it.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

      \"\u26a0\ufe0f\" The indefinite article DES is not repeated at the end of the sentence neither.<\/p>

      Example :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

      <\/thead>
      \t

      Elle pr\u00e9pare des p\u00e2tes.<\/span>\n\"\ud83d\udc49\" Elle en<\/strong> pr\u00e9pare.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

      \t

      She's making pasta. \"\ud83d\udc49\" She's making it.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

      \"\u26a0\ufe0f\" 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.<\/p>

      Examples :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

      <\/thead>
      \t

      Tu connais le nouveau prof<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Tu le<\/strong> connais.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

      \t

      You know the new teacher. \"\ud83d\udc49\"  You know him.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

      <\/thead>
      \t

      J'adore ces boucles d'oreilles<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Je les <\/strong>adore.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

      \t

      I love those earrings. \"\ud83d\udc49\" I love them.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

      <\/thead>
      \t

      On \u00e9coute la radio<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" On l'<\/strong>\u00e9coute.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

      \t

      We're listening to the radio. \"\ud83d\udc49\" We're listening to it.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

      <\/thead>
      \t

      Elle ne parle pas sa langue paternelle<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Elle ne la<\/strong> parle pas.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

      \t

      She doesn't speak her father's language. \"\ud83d\udc49\" She doesn't speak it.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

      • The pronoun EN can also replace a COD introduced by a cardinal numeral adjective.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>

        \"\ud83d\udca1\"Reminder: Cardinal numeral adjectives are all numbers in French: deux, trois, quatre, ...<\/p>

        Example :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

        <\/thead>
        \t

        Nous avons 5 chatons<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Nous en<\/strong> avons 5<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

        \t

        We have 5 kittens. \"\ud83d\udc49\" We have 5 of them.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

        \"\u26a0\ufe0f\" Here too, you must use the pronoun EN and repeat<\/strong> the number at the end of the sentence.<\/p>


        <\/p><\/div>

        • The pronoun EN can replace a COD introduced by a quantity + DE <\/strong>(un peu de, beaucoup de, trop de, un paquet de, un tas de, assez de, un kilo de, etc.)<\/li><\/ul>

          Example : <\/span><\/p><\/div>

          <\/thead>
          \t

          Ils ont achet\u00e9 beaucoup de cadeaux<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Ils en<\/strong> ont achet\u00e9 beaucoup<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

          \t

          They bought lots of presents. \"\ud83d\udc49\" They bought lots of them.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

          \"\u26a0\ufe0f\" Here too, use EN and repeat the quantity at the end of the sentence.<\/p>


          <\/p><\/div>

          \"\u26a0\ufe0f\" The past participle never agrees with the pronoun EN, even if it comes before it.<\/p>

          Example :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

          <\/thead>
          \t

          J'ai perdu une cl\u00e9<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" J'en<\/strong> ai perdu une.  <\/p><\/div><\/td>

          \t

          I've lost a key. \"\ud83d\udc49\" I've lost one.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

          No E at the end of \"perdu\" even if EN replaces \"cl\u00e9\" which is a fem\/sing COD placed before the past participle.<\/p>


          <\/p><\/div>

          2. The pronoun EN in French replaces a COI introduced by DE<\/span><\/h5><\/div>
          • EN replaces<\/strong> a COI (animal or object)<\/strong> which answers the question DE QUOI?<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>

            Example :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

            <\/thead>
            \t

            Il parle de ses projets<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Il en<\/strong> parle.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

            \t

            He talks about his plans. \"\ud83d\udc49\" He talks about them.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

            \t
            • To replace<\/strong> a human COI<\/strong> that answers the question DE QUI ?<\/strong>, we don't use the pronoun EN but rather a tonic pronoun.<\/li><\/ul>

              Example :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

              <\/thead>
              \t

              Elle se moque de son fr\u00e8re<\/span>.<\/p>

              Elle s'en moque.<\/span><\/p>

              \"\ud83d\udc49\" Elle se moque de lui<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

              \t

              She mocks her brother.
              \"\ud83d\udc49\" She mocks him.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

              BUT<\/p>

              \"\u26a0\ufe0f\" In everyday French, French speakers often use the pronoun EN to replace a human COI. This is incorrect, but very frequent.<\/p>


              <\/p><\/div>

              3. The pronoun EN replaces a complement of place introduced by DE<\/span><\/h5><\/div>

              The pronoun EN<\/strong> replace a complement of place<\/strong> that answers the question D'O\u00d9<\/b> <\/b> ?<\/strong><\/p>

              Example :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

              <\/thead>
              \t

              Je viens de Madrid<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" J'en<\/strong> viens.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

              \t

              I come from Madrid. \"\ud83d\udc49\" I come from there.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>


              <\/h2>

              pronoun EN or Y ?<\/h2><\/div>
              The pronoun Y substitutes a complement of place introduced by \u00e0, chez, dans, sous sur, ... but not DE<\/span><\/h5><\/div>
              \t

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

              Remember that:<\/p><\/div>

              • The pronoun Y replaces a complement that answers the question O\u00d9 ?<\/b><\/b><\/strong><\/li>
              • The pronoun Y replaces all complements of place, except those introduced by the preposition DE.<\/li><\/ul>

                Examples :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

                <\/thead>
                \t

                Tu habites \u00e0 Paris<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Tu y<\/strong> habites.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

                \t

                You live in Paris. \"\ud83d\udc49\" You live there.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

                <\/thead>
                \t

                Je vais chez le coiffeur<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" J'y<\/strong> vais.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

                \t

                I'm going to the hairdresser. \"\ud83d\udc49\" I'm going there.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

                <\/thead>
                \t

                Le livre se trouve sur la table<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Le livre s'y<\/strong> trouve.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

                \t

                The book is on the table. \"\ud83d\udc49\" The book is there.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

                BUT<\/p><\/div>

                <\/thead>
                \t

                Tu viens de Paris<\/span>. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Tu en<\/strong> viens.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

                \t

                You come from Paris. \"\ud83d\udc49\" You come from there.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

                EN : pronoun or preposition ?<\/h2><\/div>

                Don't confuse the pronoun EN with the preposition EN, even if their pronunciation is the same.<\/p>


                <\/p>

                • The preposition EN<\/strong> is used before<\/span> a complement<\/strong> of place, manner, means or time, or to introduce a complement of the noun or adjective.<\/li><\/ul>

                  Examples :<\/span><\/p>

                  J'irai en<\/strong> Italie. <\/p>

                  I'm going to Italy.<\/p>

                  Je me sens en<\/strong> pleine forme.<\/p>

                  I feel great.<\/p>

                  Tu voyages en<\/strong> train.<\/p>

                  You travel by train.<\/p>

                  J'ai fini ce travail en<\/strong> une heure.<\/p>

                  I finished this job in an hour.<\/p>

                  Un chat en<\/strong> peluche<\/p>

                  A stuffed cat<\/p>

                  Des poissons hauts en<\/strong> couleurs<\/p>

                  Colorful fishes<\/p><\/div>

                  ON THE CONTRARY :<\/p>

                  • The pronoun EN<\/strong>\nreplaces<\/span><\/strong> <\/span>a complement<\/strong> (COD, COI or place complement)<\/li><\/ul>

                    Example :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

                    <\/thead>
                    \t

                    Il r\u00eave de changer de travail. \"\ud83d\udc49\" Il en<\/strong> r\u00eave.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

                    \t

                    He dreams of changing jobs. \"\ud83d\udc49\" He dreams about it.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>


                    <\/h2>

                    WHERE TO PUT THE PRONOUN EN in French?<\/h2><\/div>
                    • The pronoun EN<\/strong> is almost always placed<\/strong>\nbefore the verb<\/strong>, whether :<\/li><\/ul>

                      - a conjugated verb

                      Example: <\/p>

                      On en<\/strong> boit tous les jours.     <\/p>

                      We drink it every day.

                      - an auxiliary

                      Example: <\/p>

                      J'en<\/strong> ai vu.    <\/p>

                      I've seen some.<\/p>


                      <\/p><\/div>

                      • The pronoun EN<\/strong> is placed between the modal verb and the infinitive<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>

                        \"\ud83d\udca1\" Reminder: Modal verbs are: pouvoir, savoir, vouloir et devoir.<\/p>

                        Example : <\/p>

                        On peut<\/span>\nen<\/strong>\ndiscuter<\/span> un instant ?   Can we talk about this just a moment?<\/p>


                        <\/p><\/div>

                        THE PRONOM EN IN AN IMPERATIVE PHRASE<\/h2><\/div>
                        • In an affirmative imperative sentence<\/strong>, EN<\/strong> is placed after the verb<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>

                          Example :<\/span><\/p>

                          Prends de la vitamine D<\/span> ! \"\ud83d\udc49\" Prends-en<\/strong> !<\/p>

                          Take some vitamin D! \"\ud83d\udc49\" Take some!<\/p>


                          <\/p><\/div>

                          • In a negative imperative sentence<\/strong>, EN<\/strong> is placed before the verb<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>

                            Example :<\/span><\/p>

                            Ne mange pas de fast food<\/span> ! \"\ud83d\udc49\" N'en <\/strong>mange pas !<\/p>

                            Don't eat fast food! \"\ud83d\udc49\" Don't eat it!<\/p>


                            <\/p><\/div>

                            THE PRONOM EN IN A NEGATIVE PHRASE<\/h2><\/div>

                            Subject + n<\/strong>\u2018 + en<\/strong> + verb + pas<\/strong><\/p>

                            Example :<\/span><\/p><\/div>

                            <\/thead>
                            \t

                            Tu es fi\u00e8re de tes b\u00eatises ?<\/p>

                            Non, je n'<\/strong>en<\/strong> suis pas <\/strong>fi\u00e8re.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

                            \t

                            Are you proud of your nonsense?
                            No, I'm not proud of it.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

                            \t

                            Negation can be expressed in different ways with the pronoun EN.<\/p>

                            Example : <\/span><\/p><\/div>

                            <\/thead>
                            \t

                            Tu bois du lait ?<\/p>

                            Non, je n'en<\/strong> bois pas\/plus\/jamais<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div><\/td>

                            \t

                            Do you drink milk?
                            No, I don't\/no longer\/never do.<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>


                            <\/h2>

                            The pronoun EN in a question<\/h2><\/div>
                            \t

                            In the 3 types of French questions, EN is placed before the verb.<\/p>

                            Examples :<\/span><\/p>

                            Est-ce que tu en<\/strong> veux ?     <\/p>

                            Tu en<\/strong> veux ?      <\/p>

                            En<\/strong> veux-tu ?     <\/p>

                            Do you want some ?<\/p>


                            <\/p><\/div>

                            THE PRONOM EN WITH OTHER PRONOMS<\/h2><\/div>
                            \t

                            Complementary pronouns are generally placed before the verb and in this order:<\/p><\/div>

                            \t

                            Order of pronoun complements :
                            <\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/div>

                             1<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/th>

                             2<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/th>

                             3<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/th>

                             4<\/strong><\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/th>

                             5<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>

                             me<\/p>

                             te<\/p>

                             nous<\/p>

                             vous<\/p>

                             se<\/p><\/div><\/td>

                            \t

                             le<\/p>

                             la<\/p>

                             les<\/p>

                             l'<\/p><\/div><\/td>

                            \t

                             lui<\/p>

                             leur<\/p><\/div><\/td>

                            \t

                             y<\/p><\/div><\/td>

                            \t

                             en<\/p><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

                            Examples :<\/span><\/p>

                            Je parle de mon nouveau boulot<\/span> \u00e0 Benoit<\/span>.\"\ud83d\udc49\" Je lui<\/strong>\nen<\/strong> parle.<\/p>

                            I tell Benoit about my new job \"\ud83d\udc49\" I tell him about it.<\/p>


                            <\/p>

                            Je me fiche de savoir la v\u00e9rit\u00e9.<\/span>\n\"\ud83d\udc49\" Je m<\/strong>'en<\/strong> fiche.<\/p>

                            I don't care about knowing the truth. \"\ud83d\udc49\" I don't care about it.<\/p>


                            <\/p>

                            Je n'ai pas pu emp\u00eacher ma s\u0153ur de partir.<\/span>\n\"\ud83d\udc49\" Je n'ai pas pu l<\/strong>'en<\/strong> emp\u00eacher.<\/p>

                            I couldn't stop my sister from leaving. \"\ud83d\udc49\" I couldn't stop her from doing it.<\/p>


                            <\/p><\/div>

                            EXPRESSIONS WITH THE PRONOM EN<\/h2><\/div>

                            s'en aller \/ en vouloir \/ en avoir assez \/ s'en faire<\/strong><\/p>

                            \"\u26a0\ufe0f\" These locutions have a specific meaning and are always used with the pronoun EN.<\/p>

                            Here, EN is not a pronoun.<\/p><\/div>

                            \t

                            Examples :<\/span><\/p>

                            Je m'en<\/strong> vais.     <\/p>

                            I'm leaving.<\/p>

                            Elle s'en<\/strong> veut de ne pas l'avoir aid\u00e9.     <\/p>

                            She blames herself for not helping him\/her.<\/p>

                            J'en<\/strong> ai assez de tous ces devoirs.   I'm tired of all this homework.<\/p>

                            Ne t'en<\/strong> fais pas.     <\/p>

                            Don't worry.<\/p><\/div>

                            THE PRONOUN EN: VIDEO EXPLANATION<\/h2><\/div>
                            \n\t\n\n\t
                            \n\t\t
                            <\/div>\n\t