Can a direct object be used with 'en' (le, la, l', les etc) as it is with 'y'?

G. H.B2Kwiziq community member

Can a direct object be used with 'en' (le, la, l', les etc) as it is with 'y'?

Is it that the sentence construction - eg the verb - will never need a direct pronoun with 'en' as happens with 'y'?

Or is it the the examples just haven't shown a direct object?

Asked 2 years ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Gill,

The fruit seller says     "J'ai des pommes".       The buyer says   "Puis-je en avoir deux?"

The object is "pommes"   and these are referred to by the buyer  "May I have two of them" (en deux)

Hope this helps.

Jim

Nick H.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Shouldn't it be "Puis-je en avoir deux?" ?

Nick

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Nick,

You are right it should have en before the infinitive.   Thanks for picking up my error.

I have corrected the post accordingly.

Jim

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

To be nit-picky: puis-j'en avoir deux? (don't forget the contraction)

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I thought we'd agreed you don't make the contraction in writing.

https://french.kwiziq.com/questions/view/je-and-j

But let's come back to the original question. I think it must be possible to combine a direct object pronoun with en, but it's probably not very common. I found it hard to come up with an example. Maybe "Je vous en prie" ? I think prier takes a direct object.

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Istn't "prie" the verb?

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Sorry, I don't understand your point.

G. H. asked:View original

Can a direct object be used with 'en' (le, la, l', les etc) as it is with 'y'?

Is it that the sentence construction - eg the verb - will never need a direct pronoun with 'en' as happens with 'y'?

Or is it the the examples just haven't shown a direct object?

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