Regarding position of the adverbial pronoun

Question

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?

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

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 !

Chris Wirt · Answer

The infinitive rule is stronger: Il désire y retourner.