French Pronouns 'Y' and 'En': Usage, Placement, and Common Mistakes

What does 'y' replace?

à + place / à + thing / chez + person

Where does 'y' go in a sentence?

Before the verb

How is 'y' used in a negative sentence?

Goes between ne and the verb → Je n'y vais pas

Give an example of 'y'.

Je vais à Paris → J'y vais

What does 'en' replace?

de + noun, quantities, some/any, of it / of them

Where does 'en' go in a sentence?

Before the verb

How is 'en' used in a negative sentence?

Goes between ne and the verb → Je n'en ai pas

Do you keep numbers with 'en'?

Yes → J'ai trois frères → J'en ai trois

Give an example of 'en'.

Tu veux du café ? → Oui, j'en veux

What is the correct order of multiple pronouns?

me/te/se/nous/vous → le/la/les → lui/leur → y → en

Where do pronouns go in normal sentences?

Before the verb

Where do pronouns go in affirmative commands?

After the verb, connected with hyphens → Donne-le-moi !

Give an example of multiple pronouns.

Je donne le livre à Paul → Je le lui donne

When do we use the conditionnel?

Polite requests, wishes, hypothetical situations

How do you form the conditionnel?

Future stem + imparfait endings

What are the conditionnel endings?

ais, ais, ait, ions, iez, aient

Give an example of a regular verb in conditionnel.

Je parlerais → I would speak

How is conditionnel used with si-clauses?

Si + imparfait → conditionnel → Si j'avais le temps, je voyagerais

'avoir' in conditionnel (je)

j'aurais

'être' in conditionnel (je)

je serais

'aller' in conditionnel (je)

j'irais

'faire' in conditionnel (je)

je ferais

'venir' in conditionnel (je)

je viendrais

'pouvoir' in conditionnel (je)

je pourrais

'vouloir' in conditionnel (je)

je voudrais

'devoir' in conditionnel (je)

je devrais

'savoir' in conditionnel (je)

je saurais

'voir' in conditionnel (je)

je verrais

What does 'en' mean?

Quantity / de

What does 'y' mean?

Place / à

Where do pronouns go?

Before the verb (except in affirmative commands)

What does the conditionnel express?

Polite + hypothetical

What is a common mistake with 'y'?

Using it for people instead of lui/leur

What is a common mistake with 'en'?

Forgetting to keep the number

What is a common mistake with pronouns?

Wrong order of pronouns

What is a common mistake with conditionnel?

Using infinitive instead of future stem