Indefinite Pronouns & Using 'y', 'en'
French: AQA A Level, topic 12.6.7
Indefinite Pronouns
These pronouns refer to general and unspecific things.
Key vocab
- Quelqu'un - someone.
- Tout le monde - everyone.
- Quelque chose - something.
- Plusieurs - several.
- Tout - all, everything.
- Chacun(e) - each one.
Example sentences with indefinite pronouns
- Tout le monde aime le chocolat.
- Everone likes chocolate.
- Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde
- There is something for everyone.
- Plusieurs personnes sont forcées de quitter leur maison.
- Several people are being forced to leave their homes.
Using 'Y' and 'En'
Uses of 'y'
- 'Y' can be used to mean there.
- 'Y' is used to talk about a location that has already been mentioned.
- Je travaille à l'université → J'y travaille.
- I work for the university → I work there.
- 'Y' can also mean 'it' or 'them' with verbs that are followed by 'à'.
- Je pense aux vacances → J'y pense.
- I'm thinking about the holidays → I'm thinking about it.
More uses of 'y'
- 'Y' is also used in some common expressions.
- Il y a...
- There is...
- Vas-y.
- Do it!, go on!
- Allons-y, on y va.
- Let's go.
En - of it, of them, some, any
- 'En' has a variety of meanings depending on the context.
- 'En' replaces words about quantity and any words with 'de'.
- J'ai besoin de pain → J'en ai besoin.
- I need bread → I need it.
- J'ai mangé du gâteau → J'en ai mangé.
- I ate some cake → I ate some.
Test yourself on Indefinite Pronouns & Using 'y', 'en'
How do you say 'everything' in French?
Which of these is NOT an indefinite pronoun?
How do you say 'I need it' in French?
Which one of these is NOT the correct use of 'en'?