Language/French/Grammar/How-to-use-«-il-y-a-»-in-French
[CHANGED]
impersonal form[edit | edit source]
A sentence is in the impersonal form if:
- The subject is the word "il".
- The subject represents nothing and no one.
Use[edit | edit source]
- The group of words “il y a” ("there is/are") only exists in the impersonal from.
- It is generally followed directly by a noun but can also be followed by an infinitive announced by "à" or by "de quoi".
In spoken French[edit | edit source]
It is frequently used in spoken French in the construction:
il y a + noun + relative clause.
In spoken French the pronunciation often reduces to "Y'a" /ja/
:
Examples[edit | edit source]
- Il y a eu de bons présidents, autrefois
There have been good presidents, in the past
- Il y a quelques problèmes au bureau
There are a few problems at the office
- Il y a à faire dans le garage
There are things to do in the garage
- Il y a à boire et à manger sur la table
There's something to eat and drink on the table
- Il y a des gens qui vous attendent à l'extérieur
There are people waiting for you outside
- Il y a de quoi vous occuper ici
There's lots to do here
- Il y avait de quoi vous faire peur la nuit dernière
It was enough to make you afraid last night
- Il y a ceux qui prétendent tout savoir sur tout
There are those who claim to know everything about everything
- Il y avait toujours quelque chose à manger
There was always something to eat
- Il y en a qui disent du mal de tout le monde
There are some who say bad things about everyone
Video - il y a - A1 level[edit | edit source]
This video is what we call a "classic A1 topic". You will learn how to use the expression "il y a / Il n'y a pas" in French.
Videos[edit | edit source]
IL Y A - How To Use THERE IS, THERE ARE and AGO in French ...[edit | edit source]
How to use C'EST and IL Y A in French - YouTube[edit | edit source]
How to use IL Y A in French - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Adjective—adjective compounds
- Indirectly transitive in French but directly transitive in English
- Conditional Mood and Future Tense
- Difference between meilleur and mieux
- Place adverbs
- Omission of the article in participle + noun constructions linked by de
- Use of neutral le where no equivalent exists in English
- Nouns which refer both to males and to females
- Use of indefinite and partitive articles after the negative forms
- Plurals
- Stressed pronouns used as the object of a preposition
- Use of the definite article with seasons
- Relative Clause
- Position of object pronouns with imperatives
- Degree adverbs