Pronoms adverbiaux / Adverbes pronominaux
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As you might guess from their name, adverbial pronouns are caught between two worlds: they are pronouns in the sense that they replace nouns, and at the same time they are adverbs representing a place, a quantity, or the object of a preposition. French has two adverbial pronouns: en and y.
Characteristics of adverbial pronouns
- Are required.
- Usually replace prepositions plus their objects.
- Can be used with one another as well as with direct and indirect object and reflexive pronouns.
Word order
Adverbial pronouns precede the verb in all tenses and moods except the imperative.
Par exemple…
| J’en ai deux. | I have two of them. | |
| J’y suis allé hier. | I went (there) yesterday. | |
| Je n’en sais rien. | I don’t know anything about that. | |
| Il y en a beaucoup. | There are a lot of them. |
Two Adverbial Pronouns
There are just two adverbial pronouns: en and y. To learn the difference, please click to read the detailed lessons:
Adverbial Pronoun Quiz
Think you’ve got it? Test yourself on the difference between en and y with this fill-in-the-blanks exercise:
Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to take this test. If you don’t have one, sign up – it’s free!
Related lessons
- PwLF super list of adverbial pronoun lessons
- Direct object pronouns
- Indirect object pronouns
- Reflexive pronouns
- Placement of adverbial pronouns
- Word order with auxiliary verbs (compound tenses)
- Word order with double pronouns
- Word order with semi-auxiliary verbs
- Adverbs
In italiano
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