B1.36 - Daily finances and taxes

The imperative with en, y and le/la/les: vas-y, prends-en, prends-le...

L'impératif avec en, y et le/la/les : vas-y, prends-en, prends-le...

On utilise les pronoms en, y et le/la/les à l’impératif pour remplacer une phrase, un lieu, une quantité ou un COD.

(We use the pronouns en, y and le/la/les in the imperative to replace a phrase, a place, a quantity or a direct object (COD).)

Imperative + pronouns: the key word order change

French is special here: pronouns move depending on whether the imperative is affirmative or negative.

Form Where is the pronoun? Visual pattern
Affirmative After the verb Verb–pronoun (with a hyphen)
Negative Before the verb Ne + pronoun + verb + pas
  • Affirmative: Manges-en ! / Allez-y ! / Vérifions-le !
  • Negative: N’en mange pas ! / N’y allez pas ! / Ne les gaspillons pas !

What “en” and “y” usually replace (so you can choose fast)

  • en replaces something introduced by de (or an indefinite amount):
    des fruits / du café / de l’argent / de la patience
  • y replaces à + place/thing (very often a place):
    à la banque / à l’agence / au bureau / à la réception

Quick check: If you can rephrase with “some/any (of it/them)” → think en. If you can rephrase with “there” → think y.

Affirmative imperative: attach the pronoun (and watch the hyphen)

In affirmative commands, the pronoun is after the verb and must be linked with a hyphen.

  • Vas-y ce matin. (Go there)
  • Imprime-les. (Print them)
  • Envoie-le au propriétaire. (Send it)
  • Vas y → Vas-y
  • Envoie le → Envoie-le

Negative imperative: pronouns go back to “normal” position

In negative commands, pronouns return to their usual place: before the verb.

  • N’y allez pas aujourd’hui. (Don’t go there today)
  • N’en verse pas avant d’avoir lu les conditions. (Don’t put any in…)
  • Ne les confirmez pas sans consulter l’agenda. (Don’t confirm them…)
  • Ne verse pas en → N’en verse pas
  • N’allez pas y → N’y allez pas

The “extra -s” with tu (1st-group verbs) + y/en

This point causes many mistakes because it looks inconsistent.

  • With tu and a 1st-group verb (-er), you normally drop the -s: Parle ! Mange !
  • But if the verb is followed by y or en, add an -s for pronunciation:
Base command (tu) + y / en Correct form
Mange ! en Manges-en !
Va ! (not -er) y Vas-y ! (fixed form)
Reste ! y Restes-y !

Self-check: Is it tu + an -er verb + y/en right after the verb? If yes → add -s.

Mini decision guide (before you answer)

  1. What are you replacing?
    • de + thing / some/any → en
    • à + place/thing / there → y
    • direct object (the contract, the statements, the appointments) → le / la / les
  2. Is the command affirmative or negative?
    • Affirmative → verb–pronoun
    • Negative → ne + pronoun + verb + pas
  3. Only if needed: tu + -er verb + y/en → add -s.
  1. In the affirmative form, the pronoun comes after the verb and is linked with a hyphen. In the negative form, the pronouns go back to their usual position: before the verb.
  2. For 1st-group verbs in the 2nd person singular (tu), we add an “s” at the end of the verb if it is followed by “y” or “en” to make pronunciation easier. Example: Manges-en, Restes-y
FormePronomExemple (Example)
Affirmative (Affirmative)EnMange des fruits ! → Manges-en ! (Eat some fruit! → Eat some!)
NégativeEnNe mange pas de fruits → N'en mange pas ! (Don’t eat fruit → Don’t eat any!)
Affirmative (Affirmative)YAllez à la banque ! → Allez-y ! (Go to the bank! → Go there!)
NégativeYN'allez pas à la banque ! → N'y allez pas !  (Don’t go to the bank! → Don’t go there! )
AffirmativeLeVérifions le solde ! → Vérifions-le ! (Let’s check the balance! → Let’s check it!)
NégativeLesNe gaspillons pas nos prêts ! → Ne les gaspillons pas ! (Let’s not waste our loans! → Let’s not waste them!)

Exercise 1: Multiple choice

Instruction: Choose the correct answer

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1. Tu veux déposer un chèque à l'agence ? ___ ce matin, sinon il sera trop tard.

Do you want to deposit a check at the branch? ___ this morning, otherwise it will be too late.

2. Tu as encore des relevés de compte à imprimer ? ___ avant de faire ta déclaration de revenus.

Do you still have account statements to print? ___ before doing your income tax return.

3. Ne verse pas d'argent sur ce compte d'épargne sans vérifier les intérêts : ___ avant d'avoir lu les conditions.

Don't put money into this savings account without checking the interest: ___ before reading the terms.

4. Fais un virement bancaire aujourd'hui et ___ au propriétaire pour prouver le paiement.

Make a bank transfer today and ___ to the owner to prove the payment.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the phrases

Instruction: Rewrite each instruction in the imperative, replacing the underlined complement with the correct pronoun (en, y, le/la/les).

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  1. Mange _des légumes_ !
    ⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Manges-en !
    (Eat some!)
  2. N’achète pas _de café_ ce soir !
    ⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    N’en achète pas ce soir !
    (Don’t buy any tonight!)
  3. Va _à la réception_ et demande le badge !
    ⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    Vas-y et demande le badge !
    (Go there and ask for the badge!)
  4. N’allez pas _au service client_ aujourd’hui !
    ⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Example
    N’y allez pas aujourd’hui !
    (Don’t go there today!)

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence.

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1.
In the affirmative imperative, « le » must be attached to the verb with a hyphen; the option without a hyphen is incorrect.
2.
With a 1st-group verb in the 2nd person singular followed by « en », you must add an -s: you don’t say « Mange-en » but « Manges-en ».

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Oscar Figueiral Marques

Master

Université de Poitiers

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France


Last Updated:

Sunday, 31/05/2026 18:59