‘Je n’en attendais pas moins de vous’

Question

Please explain why ‘en’ is used here. Thanks

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Hi Judy  and Marnie,
The 'en' here is idiomatic like in a lot of expressions like,
'en attendre pas moins de quelqu'un' ( to expect no less/nothing less from someone.
There are lots in French -
S'en aller ( to leave), S'en tenir à quelque chose  ( to stick to something), en vouloir à quelqu'un ( to have a grudge with someone ), s'en tirer ( to pull through), etc.
Hope this helps!

Marnie Coulter · Answer

I also would like to know why "en" is used here.  I understand the concept of "en" replacing a phrase "of..." To which it visibly and directly refers but this usage is more subtle and I'd like to understand!

Judy Blundell · Answer

Thanks for the reply.