En replacing a prepositional phrase beginning with "de"

Mike H.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

En replacing a prepositional phrase beginning with "de"

La liberté d'expression est un droit fondamental mais il faut ________ respecter les limites.  The correct answer is "en", but it is seems to me that what must be respected is "la liberte", not "d'expression" which is not a phrase, but a modifier of la liberte.
Asked 2 years ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Mike,

Is it not the case that the noun phrase is "La liberté d'expression" in its entirety?

So "en" is replacing that entire phrase?

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/en-adverbial-pronoun/

This is how I understand it.

Bonne Journée

Jim

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Jim's right. You may get a better understanding if you substitute the full phrase which en replaces:

La liberté d'expression est un droit fondamental mais il faut respecter les limites de la liberté d'expression. --> La liberté d'expression est un droit fondamental mais il faut en respecter les limites.

In English: 

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right but one must respect the limits of the freedom of expression. --> (literally) Freedom of expression is a fundamental right but one must thereof respect the limits.

Mike H.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Now it makes sense.  The lesson is that "en" replaces d+ phrase and La liberte d'expression does not does not begin with "de".  But when you construct the full phrase, it does begin with "de".  Thanks

En replacing a prepositional phrase beginning with "de"

La liberté d'expression est un droit fondamental mais il faut ________ respecter les limites.  The correct answer is "en", but it is seems to me that what must be respected is "la liberte", not "d'expression" which is not a phrase, but a modifier of la liberte.

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