Coupla questions

Paul F.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Coupla questions

1. Instead of “une liste de ce que je voudrais faire là-bas”, could we say “une liste de ce que je voudrais y faire” (a list of what I would like to do over THERE) ?

2. Instead of “elles m’emmèneront dans des restos branchés”, could we say “elles m’emmèneront à des restos branchés” (they will take me TO trendy restaurants) ?

Appreciate any answers regarding whether my alternatives are possible or not. Thanks.

Asked 4 years ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Paul,

Chris has explained everything very well.

A few more details:

Question1: Y vs Là-bas

Y= a rather precise location = here

Là-bas = a location that is far = over there

As the narrator is talking about Paris as being a location far from where she is located, ‘là-bas’ is correct here.

 

Question 2: emmener dans vs emmener à

Emmener à : general situations

J’emmène mon frère à la mer = I take my brother to the seaside

J’emmène mon frère à l’aéroport I am taking my brother to the aiport

J’emmène mon frère au restaurant I am taking my brother to the restaurant

 

Emmener dans : more specific situations

J’emmène mon frère dans des restaurants branchés I am taking my brother to trendy restaurants

J’emmène ma grand-mère dans des endroits insolites I am taking my grandmother to quirky places

 

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée!

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

1) Yes, you could say ...y faire instead of ...faire là-bas. But the hint to use là-bas is the use of "over there".

2) In that case, I think you could use either preposition, dans or à. The consensus seems to be to use à in general situations (je t'invite au restaurant) and dans in concrete ones or if you refer to something else except eating there. But there doesn't seem to be a hard and fast rule.

Coupla questions

1. Instead of “une liste de ce que je voudrais faire là-bas”, could we say “une liste de ce que je voudrais y faire” (a list of what I would like to do over THERE) ?

2. Instead of “elles m’emmèneront dans des restos branchés”, could we say “elles m’emmèneront à des restos branchés” (they will take me TO trendy restaurants) ?

Appreciate any answers regarding whether my alternatives are possible or not. Thanks.

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