For some reason I thought "en" was used when referring to ideas or non-descript things?

Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
12/04/16
Bonjour Laura,
Note first that "en" is never used to replace people.
As for things, it depends on whether the original phrase it refers to is introduced by the preposition "de":
E.g. Tu veux de l'eau ? Tu en veux ?
E.g. Je me moque de ton pull. Je m'en moque.
Here are links to the lessons explaining when to use "en":
https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/the-adverbial-pronoun-en-means-of-them-with-quantities
I hope that's helpful!
A bientôt !

Laura
Kwiziq language super star
12/04/16
Bonjour Laura,
En is used to replace de + anything, whether concrete or abstract.
When there's no de, there can't be en. Le is used instead.
En is used to replace de + anything, whether concrete or abstract.
When there's no de, there can't be en. Le is used instead.

Joakim
Kwiziq community member
12/04/16
"en" not used with people? How about this :
Combien de personnes avez-vous sous votre commandement? J'en ai 100.
Combien de personnes avez-vous sous votre commandement? J'en ai 100.
isabelle
Kwiziq community member
16/10/16
It is because it deals with quantity -
As-tu un livre de français? Oui, j'en ai 100 - ( object)
AS-tu des amis chez toi en ce moment? Oui j'en ai - (personnes)
Combien d'employés avez-vous dans votre entreprise? J'en ai 10 // j'en ai 2000. ( personnes)
As-tu un livre de français? Oui, j'en ai 100 - ( object)
AS-tu des amis chez toi en ce moment? Oui j'en ai - (personnes)
Combien d'employés avez-vous dans votre entreprise? J'en ai 10 // j'en ai 2000. ( personnes)
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Laura
Kwiziq community member
11 April 2016
4 replies
For some reason I thought "en" was used when referring to ideas or non-descript things?
I know en is used to replace things with "de/du/de la" but...I thought it was also used to replace ideas, things, etc.
This relates to:
Using le or l' to refer to previously mentioned ideas (direct object pronoun) -