Confusion about using en to replace people

Amanda O.B1Kwiziq community member

Confusion about using en to replace people

The lesson says you can't use the pronoun "en" to replace people. But then the first video gives multiple examples of doing just that. For example:

Vous connaissez des francais? Oui, nous en connaissons.

Cette homme aime une actrice? Oui, il en aime une.

Are these examples not correct? Or are they okay because it's not "de" + person? In that case, can you use "en" to replace people as long as "de" doesn't come before the people?

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Amanda, 

This note refers to the use of verbs followed by de where you will keep de + stress pronouns and not 'en' when talking of people :

Ils parlent de Catherine -----> oui, Ils parlent d'elle

Nous dépendons beaucoup de nos parents ------> oui, nous dépendons beaucoup d'eux

etc. 

The examples you give from the video use 'en' + quantity 

I would actually say in the first example -

Oui nous en connaissons beaucoup/plusieurs/plein 

Hope this helps!

 

 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Vous connaissez des francais? Oui, nous en connaissons. -- In this example les français is an anonymous mass of people. It's OK to use en here.

Cette homme aime une actrice? Oui, il en aime une. -- Same here: en stands for all the female actors, again an anonymous mass.

Confusion about using en to replace people

The lesson says you can't use the pronoun "en" to replace people. But then the first video gives multiple examples of doing just that. For example:

Vous connaissez des francais? Oui, nous en connaissons.

Cette homme aime une actrice? Oui, il en aime une.

Are these examples not correct? Or are they okay because it's not "de" + person? In that case, can you use "en" to replace people as long as "de" doesn't come before the people?

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