Isn't en interchangeable with dans?

CrystalMaidenC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Isn't en interchangeable with dans?

And yet it's a wrong answer.
Asked 5 years ago
ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

No, "en" is not interchangable with "dans". "En" is used in a more general sense to connote the meaning of within. "Dans" is usually quite literally in.

Je suis en classe. -- I am attending a lesson.
Je suis dans la classe. -- I am in the classroom.

Je viens en voiture. -- I come by car.
Je suis dans la voiture. -- I am in the car.

Je suis en prison. -- I am incarcerated.
Je suis dans la prison. -- I am in the prison building (because, maybe, I work there).

-- Chris (not a native speaker).

Isn't en interchangeable with dans?

And yet it's a wrong answer.

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