Je veux en profiter avant que ma fille ne grandisse.

Question

My question is about the use of 'en' here. Does this sentence refer to something previously mentioned, the subject from which the speaker wants to benefit? Is it connected to the use of 'de' with vouloir?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Chris,
The expression is -
profiter de quelque chose = to make the most of something
We don't know what it refers to in an isolated sentence, but it probably means to make the most of the stage that the daughter is at before she grows up.
 
Technically, the 'en' replaces the 'de ...', but it is sort of idiomatic here just as in sentences like -

Il fait beau aujourd'hui, il faut en profiter = The weather is nice today, we must make the most of it
C'est gratuit aujourd'hui, j'en profite = It's free today, I'll take advantage of it

Hope this helps!