y — Replacing à + Place (or Thing)

Part of Object pronouns, y and en · Section 4 of 8

Deep DiveUnit: Core Grammar ToolkitGCSE

This deep dive covers y — Replacing à + Place (or Thing) within Object pronouns, y and en for GCSE French. Revise Object pronouns, y and en in Core Grammar Toolkit for GCSE French with 15 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 4 of 8 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

📋 y — Replacing à + Place (or Thing)

y replaces à + a place or à + a thing (after verbs that take à). It means there or to/at it.

Full formWith yEnglish
Tu vas à Paris?Tu y vas?Are you going there?
Elle habite à Lyon.Elle y habite.She lives there.
Je pense à ce problème.J'y pense.I'm thinking about it.
Il participe à la réunion.Il y participe.He takes part in it.
Higher

Tu vas souvent au cinéma? — Oui, j'y vais chaque semaine.

Do you go to the cinema often? — Yes, I go there every week.

  • y replaces au cinéma (à + place)
  • Position: before the verb, same rule as all object pronouns

Practice questions for Object pronouns, y and en

Which sentence correctly replaces the underlined phrase? Tu vas **au marché** ce matin?

  • A. Oui, j'en vais ce matin.
  • B. Oui, j'y vais ce matin.
  • C. Oui, je lui vais ce matin.
  • D. Oui, je l'y vais ce matin.
1 markhigher

Tu veux **des fraises**? Oui, j'___ veux beaucoup.

  • A. y
  • B. les
  • C. en
  • D. leur
1 markhigher

Quick recall flashcards

What does the pronoun 'en' replace?
En replaces de + noun (partitive/quantity). Tu veux du pain? --> Oui, j'en veux (Yes, I want some). Tu as des freres? --> Oui, j'en ai deux (Yes, I have two of them). Position: before the verb.
What does the pronoun 'y' replace?
Y replaces a + place or a + thing. Tu vas a Paris? --> Oui, j'y vais (Yes, I'm going there). Tu penses a l'examen? --> Oui, j'y pense (Yes, I'm thinking about it). Position: before the verb.

15 questions on Object pronouns, y and en — practise free

Instant marking, adaptive difficulty and spaced-repetition flashcards — all aligned to your exam board.

Start revising free →