I used "la" rather than "y," but that was considered wrong. How do I know when to use which?
does "y" *HAVE* to replace a noun following "à"
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
does "y" *HAVE* to replace a noun following "à"
Bonjour Rebecca,
Take a look at the links below:
Remember that with "verbs that require the preposition à, y can replace a group introduced by the preposition à + [thing(s)/object(s)/location(s)] - except people".
Je réponds à la lettre -> J'y réponds -> y = thing/object - indirect object
Je vais à Paris -> J'y vais -> y = location - indirect object
Attention:
Je parle à Marie -> Je lui parle -> lui = person - indirect object
Je mange la pomme -> Je la mange -> la = thing/object - direct object
See here: Using le/la/l'/les = it/him/her/them (French Direct Object Pronouns) - Using lui/leur = him or her/them (French Indirect Object Pronouns) - Using lui/leur = him or her/them (French Indirect Object Pronouns)
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !
In your example you cannot use la and need to use y. This is because la only replaces a direct object, but répondre à requires an indirect object.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level