Using "en" with the verb "retourner?"

Ozan D.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Using "en" with the verb "retourner?"

I have seen that the verb retourner is used with "Y

Nous y retournons demain.

 We go back there tomorrow

 

"Il n'a pas pu retourner de la guerre.

He couldn't return from the war.

 Can I say

 il n'en a pas pu retourner 

He couldn't return from there


Does it work like that?


Asked 4 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Ozan,

The adverbial pronouns y and en are not particular to the verb retourner.

Here are the Kwiziq lessons detailing how to use them -

y:

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/the-adverbial-pronoun-y-means-there

and

en:

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/the-adverbial-pronoun-en-can-replace-a-phrase-introduced-by-de

 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Retourner à -- to go back to a place.
Retourner de -- to come back from a place.

Depending what you want to say, you can replace "a place" with either y or en.

Using "en" with the verb "retourner?"

I have seen that the verb retourner is used with "Y

Nous y retournons demain.

 We go back there tomorrow

 

"Il n'a pas pu retourner de la guerre.

He couldn't return from the war.

 Can I say

 il n'en a pas pu retourner 

He couldn't return from there


Does it work like that?


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