Il désire retourner A LYON. ….a) Il y désire retourner OR b) Il désire y retourner. Generally the pronoun precedes the infinitive, but at the same time we are told it should precede the verb it modifies. Could you please explain whether a) or b) is correct and why?
Regarding position of the adverbial pronoun
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AndreaKwiziq community member
Regarding position of the adverbial pronoun
This question relates to:French lesson "Y = There (French Adverbial Pronouns)"
Asked 2 years ago
Bonjour Andrea,
Here is a way of finding it out:
Il désire retourner à Lyon = a. il y désire retourner or b. il désire y retourner
a. Il y désire retourner → Il désire à Lyon retourner
He wants there to go back → he wants to Lyon to go back
b. Il désire retourner à Lyon = il désire y retourner
He wants to go back to Lyon = he wants to go back there
→ retourner où ? = go back where? → à Lyon / y = an adverbial phrase / pronoun of place linked to 'retourner' → ‘y’ is placed before the infinitive verb to which it directly refers / links to
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !
Andrea asked:View original
Regarding position of the adverbial pronoun
Il désire retourner A LYON. ….a) Il y désire retourner OR b) Il désire y retourner. Generally the pronoun precedes the infinitive, but at the same time we are told it should precede the verb it modifies. Could you please explain whether a) or b) is correct and why?
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