Language/French/Grammar/Use-of-y-in-constructions-where-à-does-not-introduce-an-indirect-object

Use of y in constructions where à does not introduce an indirect object

y is normally used to refer to non-human objects which occur with verbs like penser à where à does not introduce an indirect object:

• Je pense à la guerre I'm thinking of the war

With a pronoun:

• J'y pense

I'm thinking of it

• Je tiens à mes idées

I'm sticking to my ideas

• J'y tiens

I'm sticking to them

• Je ferai très attention à vos affaires

I'll look after your belongings very carefully

• J'y ferai très attention

I'll look after them carefully

y can also be found on rare occasions referring to people with such verbs:

• J'y pense

I'm thinking of him

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