Why use l' and not en?

Olaedo O.B1Kwiziq community member

Why use l' and not en?

If the expression is "faire exprès DE", why is the contraction "ne l'ont pas and not n'en ont pas'?

This question relates to:French lesson "Faire exprès (de) = To do something on purpose (French Expressions with faire)"

Asked 3 years ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

It is faire exprés de + infinitive. It isn't a noun that's following, which may be substituted by "en", it is an action, which is substituted by "le" (it).

Like33 years ago

CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Olaedo,

To illustrate Chris's answer:

Il a fait exprès de casser le bol = he broke the bowl on purpose

-> Il l'a fait exprès = he did it on purpose (il fait exprès de quoi = de casser le bol -> verb)

Il a parlé de ton voyage = he spoke about your trip

-> il en a parlé = he spoke about it (il a parlé de quoi = de ton voyage -> noun)

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Like33 years ago

Olaedo O. asked:

Why use l' and not en?

If the expression is "faire exprès DE", why is the contraction "ne l'ont pas and not n'en ont pas'?

Don't have an account yet? Join today

« using "L" before On I know que and a vowel is qu' but does the same rule apply to qui? »

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level