Why va-t'en and not vas-t'en ?

Sagar J.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why va-t'en and not vas-t'en ?

Isn't the tu-form of aller "vas"?

Asked 5 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Sagar, 

I love the verb ‘s’en aller’ as do most French people and it is commonly used in every day speech for ‘to leave’.

It is however, tricky to use as in your question, in the imperative mood:

It is indeed - 

Va t’en ! (no s)

Allez vous-en! 

Allons nous-en! 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

It kind of follows the rule that verbs ending in -er lose the "s" in the second person singular imperative. Just that the verb form looks different.

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

But it doesn't follow the rule that verbs ending in -er recover the "s" in the tu form imperative before "en".

Maybe this exception should be added here:

Using French adverbial pronoun "en" in affirmative commands in the imperative mood (L'Impératif) in French

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

On second thoughts, forget that. It's different because the "t" comes between "va" and "en", and it's not just a phonetic "t". (Pity I can't delete that other reply.)

Sagar J.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Ah, je vous comprends maintenant.

Merci !

Why va-t'en and not vas-t'en ?

Isn't the tu-form of aller "vas"?

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