Language/French/Grammar/Non-specific-use-of-y

Non-specific use of y

In a number of common constructions, y is used without a very specific meaning being attached to it:

• Pensez-y!

Think about it!

• Je n'y suis pour rien

It's nothing to do with me

• J'y suis, j'y reste

Here I am and here I stay

• II y a ...

There is ... there are ...

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Possessive determiners, Omission of the article, Absolute use of the superlative & Indirect and Direct Transitive Verbs.

Other Lessons

• Adverb—adjective compounds
• "C'est" or "Ce sont"
• Gender of compound nouns
• L’on VS on
• Days
• Gender of Nouns Names of ships and restaurants
• Déterminants
• Emphasizing the reciprocal use of se by adding l'un l'autre
• Easy way of generating the imperative mood
• Years
• Stressed pronouns
• Position of object pronouns with infinitives
• Differences in the use of numbers in French and English Kings, queens and popes
• il or ça alternating with noun phrase subjects
• ils with arbitrary reference