Direct object vs pronoun y

ESTHER P.B1Kwiziq community member

Direct object vs pronoun y

Ils vont visiter 'la tour Eiffel' ce matin.

Would it be replaced by a direct object or y

They will visit it = la or they will visit there = y

Ils vont la visiter or ils vont y visiter.

Asked 9 months ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Esther,

Here "la tour Eiffel" refers to a direct object pronoun - not an adverbial phrase of location:

Je vais visiter la tour Eiffel -> I am going to visit "what" -> la tour Eiffel / The Eiffel tower = Direct object

Therefore, "la tour Eiffel" can only be replaced with a direct object pronoun:

Je vais la visiter = I am going to visit it

The adverbial pronoun "y" refers to a phrase of location (à/dans/sur/sous etc + [location])

Je vais à la tour Eiffel = I am going to the Eiffel tower -> J'y vais

Je mange au restaurant = I eat at the restaurant -> J'y mange

Le chat est dans le jardin = The cat is in the garden -> le chat y est

 

Also, take a look here: Difference between subjects, objects and pronouns - Grammar Point

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

ESTHER P.B1Kwiziq community member

Merci beaucoup Céline 

Direct object vs pronoun y

Ils vont visiter 'la tour Eiffel' ce matin.

Would it be replaced by a direct object or y

They will visit it = la or they will visit there = y

Ils vont la visiter or ils vont y visiter.

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