When to use "y"

Question 1

What does y replace?

Answer 1

Phrases introduced by prepositions of place, such as à, dans, en, sur, or chez.

Question 2

Replace this phrase with y: Marc va au café

Answer 2

Marc y va - Marc is going there

Question 3

When shouldn’t you use y?

Answer 3

When the preposition is used in conjuction with a person, such as: As-tu répondu au prof (prof is a person). Instead, you use lui or leur: Je lui ai répondu - I answered him.

Question 4

Where does the pronoun y go in the sentence?

Answer 4

It goes before the verb. If there is an infinitive verb in your sentence, it goes before that: Je vais y aller - I am going to go there. If you’re using y and en in the same sentence, y come before en - think donkey noise.

Question 5

Where does the y go for affirmative commands?

Answer 5

It goes after the verb and is connected by a hyphen. Think Doctor Who! Allons-y!

Question 6

Where does the y go for negative commands?

Answer 6

before the verb, contracted with “Ne”

N’y allez pas - Don’t go there.