Dans vs en with locations

LisaA1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Dans vs en with locations

My understanding is that you use dans when referring to a specific place (which is preceded by an article) while en is used to refer to a more general, abstract or symbolic place (no article).

Je suis dans la classe. vs Il est en classe.

I’m in the classroom. vs He is in class.

But then the following example is given that confuses me:

Je vais en ville - I’m going TO town. Why is it not written using “à?”

Thank you for any help!

Asked 4 years ago

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ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Je vais à la ville. -- I am going to the town.
Je vais en ville. -- I am going to town.

I guess in English you'd render the difference in meaning by omitting the article in the second case.

Like04 years ago

Lisa asked:View original

Dans vs en with locations

My understanding is that you use dans when referring to a specific place (which is preceded by an article) while en is used to refer to a more general, abstract or symbolic place (no article).

Je suis dans la classe. vs Il est en classe.

I’m in the classroom. vs He is in class.

But then the following example is given that confuses me:

Je vais en ville - I’m going TO town. Why is it not written using “à?”

Thank you for any help!

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