In this French grammar lesson, you will learn how to refer to earlier made statements in French.
In this lesson you will learn about:
- how to refer to earlier made statements in French
- how these constructions are used in sentences
- how you can quiz yourself on how to refer to earlier made statements in French
- how to practice with flashcards on how to refer to earlier made statements in French
- how and why you should use the courses of Language Atlas to learn French
Please refer to the French B1 Curriculum to get a better overview of French grammar, if you are curious about how this fits in the overall structure of French B1.
By the end of the lesson you will know all about how to refer to earlier made statements in French!
Table of Contents
Introduction
In this lesson you will learn how to refer to earlier made statements in French.
The first two methods that you will see are things that you already know.
The second two methods should be fairly new.
You can come back to this lesson if you ever need a good overview on how to refer to earlier made statements in French.
Refresher of Old Topics
You know that you have to use y when a phrase has been introduced with à.
Je vais au musée. J’y vais.
I am going to the museum. I am going there.
Nous allons à l’ambassade. Nous y allons.
We are going to the embassy. We are going there.
Please read the lesson on how to use y if you need a refresher on this topic.
You know that you have to use en when a phrase has been introduced with de.
Je ne mange pas de poisson. Je n’en mange pas.
I don’t eat fish. I don’t eat it.
Elle a besoin de vacances. Elle en a besoin.
She needs a holiday. She needs it.
Please read the lesson on how to use en if you need a refresher on this topic.
Statements after que = Le/L’
If you want to refer to earlier made statements, opinions, and ideas introduced by que, then you will use the neuter pronoun le/l’.
Please note that you will only use l’ when it is in front of a vowel or mute h.
Je pense que je vais gagner. Je le pense vraiment.
I think that I am going to win. I really think that.
Je pense que le système de santé français est le meilleur système au monde. Je l’ai toujours cru.
I think that the French healthcare system is the best system in the world. I have always believed this.
Pensez-vous que la terre est plate ? – Non, je ne le pense pas.
Do you think that the earth is flat? – No I don’t think so.
You only use le/l’, even if there’s a feminine noun.
This is just a rule in French.
Try to think of le/l‘ as a more neutral pronoun (in this case).
Statements after an infinitive = Le/L’
If you want to refer to earlier made statements, opinions, and ideas introduced by an infinitive, then you will use the neuter pronoun le/l’.
Si je pouvais voyager dans le monde entier, je le ferais.
If I could travel the world, then I would do that.
Il veut dormir toute la journée. Il veut le faire toute la journée.
He wants to sleep all day. He wants to do it all day.
Tu veux construire un bonhomme de neige ? Oui, je veux le construire.
Do you want to build a snowman? Yes, I want to build it.
You only use le/l’, even if there’s a feminine noun.
Often times, the verb faire will be used.
This is a very versatile verb, and can be used in many situation.
Replace Adjectives = Le/L’
If you want to refer to earlier mentioned adjective, then you will use the neuter pronoun le/l’.
Je suis triste et elle l’est aussi.
I am sad and so is she.
Tu es déçu et je le suis aussi.
You are disappointed and so am I.
Clara est timide, mais Jean ne l’est pas.
Clara is shy, but Jean is not shy.
Nous ne sommes pas heureux, et ils ne le sont pas non plus.
We are not happy, and they are not happy either.
L’examen est difficile, mais l’examen de pratique ne l’était pas.
The exam is difficult, but the practice exam was not.
You only use le/l’, even if there’s a feminine noun, or if it refers to more than one person (=plural)
Les garçons sont intelligents et les filles le sont aussi.
The boys are smart and so are the girls.
The boys are plural, and the girls are feminine, yet as you can see, you still use le.
In Conclusion
To show you how to refer to earlier made statements in French, I will use every principle with an example after each other.
penser à
Je pense à notre voyage. J’y pense.
I am thinking about our trip. I am thinking about it.
penser de
Qu’est-ce que vous pensez de mon offre. Qu’est-ce que vous en pensez?
What do you think about my offer? What do you think about it.
statements after que
Je pense qu’il connaît la réponse. Je le pense aussi.
I think that he knows the answer. I think so too.
statements after an infinitive
Vous voulez faire un repas avec moi ? Oui, je veux le faire.
Do you want to make a meal with me? Yes, I want to do that.
replacing adjectives with le/l’
Je pense qu’il est beau. Oui, je le pense aussi.
I think that he is handsome. Yes, I think so too.
Example Sentences on How to Refer to Earlier Made Statements in French
The final section of this lesson on how to refer to earlier made statements in French is about seeing the pronouns in action.
This is valuable because you can improve your understanding on how to refer to earlier made statements in French through examples.
Here you can find the sentences of the previous chapters, neatly stored in one place.
Je vais au musée. J’y vais.
I am going to the museum. I am going there.
Nous allons à l’ambassade. Nous y allons.
We are going to the embassy. We are going there.
Je ne mange pas de poisson. Je n’en mange pas.
I don’t eat fish. I don’t eat it.
Elle a besoin de vacances. Elle en a besoin.
She needs a holiday. She needs it.
Je pense que je vais gagner. Je le pense vraiment.
I think that I am going to win. I really think that.
Je pense que le système de santé français est le meilleur système au monde. Je l’ai toujours cru.
I think that the French healthcare system is the best system in the world. I have always believed this.
Pensez-vous que la terre est plate ? – Non, je ne le pense pas.
Do you think that the earth is flat? – No I don’t think so.
Si je pouvais voyager dans le monde entier, je le ferais.
If I could travel the world, then I would do that.
Il veut dormir toute la journée. Il veut le faire toute la journée.
He wants to sleep all day. He wants to do it all day.
Tu veux construire un bonhomme de neige ? Oui, je veux le construire.
Do you want to build a snowman? Yes, I want to build it.
Je suis triste et elle l’est aussi.
I am sad and so is she.
Tu es déçu et je le suis aussi.
You are disappointed and so am I.
Clara est timide, mais Jean ne l’est pas.
Clara is shy, but Jean is not shy.
Nous ne sommes pas heureux, et ils ne le sont pas non plus.
We are not happy, and they are not happy either.
L’examen est difficile, mais l’examen de pratique ne l’était pas.
The exam is difficult, but the practice exam was not.
Les garçons sont intelligents et les filles le sont aussi.
The boys are smart and so are the girls.
penser à
Je pense à notre voyage. J’y pense.
I am thinking about our trip. I am thinking about it.
penser de
Qu’est-ce que vous pensez de mon offre. Qu’est-ce que vous en pensez?
What do you think about my offer? What do you think about it.
statements after que
Je pense qu’il connaît la réponse. Je le pense aussi.
I think that he knows the answer. I think so too.
statements after an infinitive
Vous voulez faire un repas avec moi ? Oui, je veux le faire.
Do you want to make a meal with me? Yes, I want to do that.
replacing adjectives with le/l’
Je pense qu’il est beau. Oui, je le pense aussi.
I think that he is handsome. Yes, I think so too.
Quiz Yourself on How to Refer to Earlier Made Statements in French
At the end of every lesson you can do a small quiz.
You will see the sentences of the previous chapter.
You will either need to fill in the blanks, choose the correct multiple choice option, or both.
Once you are done the correct answer will be shown.
You can redo the quiz as many times as you want!
How to Practice With Flashcards for This Lesson
Using flashcards is an absolute necessity when it comes to learning a language!
It is the best way to memorize what you learn, you can personalize your progression because it adapts to your actions, and all flashcards have audio to improve your hearing and pronunciation.
Please read our article on how to learn a new language for more information.
There are two ways to practice with Flashcards for this lesson.
- Anki
- The Flashcards in our Courses
Anki is a free software with which you can create and practice flashcards.
After you have downloaded Anki, you can get our French B1 Anki Deck.
This Anki Deck contains 2,028 flashcards with which you can practice absolutely everything for French B1.
All the flashcards have text, images, explanations, and audio.
You can also use our courses that have flashcards integrated alongside lessons with audio, quizzes and much more!
However, I am sure you are wondering, what are your courses, and why should I take them?
The Courses of Language Atlas
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Using my experience and by doing research I created Language Atlas, a platform where people can learn French and Spanish in the most effective and efficient way.
I created free lessons and quizzes so that there would always be a easy and accessible way for people to learn or brush up on their language skills.
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