Passé Compose with s’en aller

Derek M.B2Kwiziq community member

Passé Compose with s’en aller

I have another question about the use of passé compose with s’en aller. The text states: en will be before or after être: formally, it should be before, but in practice, it often ends up after.

Would the example Nous nous sommes en allés be better as Nous nous en sommes allés? It doesn’t seem to flow as well.

Merci!

Asked 3 years ago
CélineKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Derek,

Both are correct although as stated in the lesson, most of the time, 'en' is found after 'être'. In everyday French, people would tend to put 'en' after 'être' (putting it before makes it sounds rather 'formal') although in formal written work 'en' would be placed before 'être'. So, it all depends on who you speak to / write to.

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Derek,

The correct conjugation should read "Nous nous en sommes allés" but apparently it can be written the other way  --  we need Cécile to explain further in due course.

Jim

Passé Compose with s’en aller

I have another question about the use of passé compose with s’en aller. The text states: en will be before or after être: formally, it should be before, but in practice, it often ends up after.

Would the example Nous nous sommes en allés be better as Nous nous en sommes allés? It doesn’t seem to flow as well.

Merci!

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