Y with people

Question

Less commonly, à + indirect object may be replaced with the adverbial pronoun y: Il y pense. He’s thinking about her. J’y fais référence. I’m referring to them. On s’y habitue. We’re getting used to him.Found these here : https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/indirect-objects-2/ So y seems to be able to replace people?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Hi M, 
 I agree with the Kwiziq lesson you pinned and wouldn't use the pronoun 'y' for people.

Je pense à elle continuellement = I think of her all the time
Tu te rappelles de nos vacances en Bretagne ? ---> Oui, j'y pense souvent = Do you remember our holidays in Brittany? ---> Yes, I often think about them

'y' is more 'it' referring to a thing, a situation, etc.

Je vais y réfléchir = I am going to think about it
J'ai reçu une lettre de Raymond , Je vais y répondre demain = I have received a letter from Raymond, I am going to answer it tomorrow 
J'ai reçu une lettre de Raymond, je vais lui répondre demain = I have received a letter from Raymond, I am going to answer him tomorrow

Hope this helps!

Chris Wirt · Answer

As the information on the page says: replacing people by y is less common. It is also a lower register of French. The takeaway of this: if you hear it used in that manner, don't be surprised though I wouldn't myself use it that way.