the pronoun -en

Question 1

What is the use of -en?

Answer 1

We use “en” to replace a noun modified by a notion of quantity.

Question 2

What are some examples?

Answer 2

Je bois de l’eau = j’en bois. (“en replaces “eau”, and we choose “en” because of the notion of quantity, here the partitive article “de l’”)
Je mange du gâteau = j’en mange. (because of the “du”)
J’achète des pommes = j’en achète (plusieurs) – (because of the “des”). Note, you don’t have to say the “plusieurs” part (meaning several), but you can.
J’ai deux enfants = j’en ai deux. (because of the “deux”)

Question 3

what do you do with numbers or words of quantity when using -en?

Answer 3

you will always repeat a number and also an adverb of quantity or expression of quantity

Remember that PAS is also a quantity, so you’d use “en” and repeat the “pas”

Question 4

What does -en do to with partitives?

Answer 4

En Replaces A THING Introduced By A Verb Followed By “De, Du, De La, De L’, Des” (Not A Quantity Here)

Question 5

What else can -en express

Answer 5

Watch out that “en” can also be a PREPOSITION or an ADVERB, having different meanings:

Il va en France – he goes to france
l’avion fait Paris-Boston en 6 heures – it takes the plane 6 hrs to cover Paris-Boston
Je vais à Paris en voiture – I go to Paris by car
Nous sommes en novembre, en 2012 – we’re in November, in 2012.