French Grammar: The Expression [IL Y A] – Basics
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Identify:
French Grammar: The Expression [IL Y A] – Basics
la grammaire française: l’expression [il y a] – une introduction
- The expression IL Y A is comprised of the words IL (“it”) + Y (“there”) + A (“has” – from AVOIR).
- IL Y A has many functions. Most commonly, it identifies the existence of people, places, and things.
Study:
IL Y A (pronounced ‘eel-ee-YAH’) is most commonly used to mean “there is” or “there are”, and often talks about people or things. IL Y A is most often used in the following constructions:
IL Y A + indefinite article + noun:
Il y a un livre sur la table.
There is a book on the table.
Il y a des pupitres dans la salle de classe.
There are desks in the classroom.
IL Y A + number + noun:
Il y a trois stylos sur la chaise.
There are three pens on the chair.
IL Y A + indefinite adjective OR indefinite pronoun:
Il y a certaines règles à suivre.
There are certain rules to follow.
Il y a quelqu’un dans la salle de classe.
There is someone in the classroom.
To ask “Is there …?” or “Are there …?”, we can say IL Y A … ? :
Il y a un stylo dans votre sac à dos?
Is there a pen in your backpack?
Il y a des étagères dans le bureau?
Are there bookshelves in the office?
Another way to ask “Is there …?” or “Are there …?” is to precede IL Y A with the expression Est-ce qu’ (pronounced ‘essk’) :
Est-ce qu’il y a une gomme dans le sac à dos?
Is there an eraser in the backpack?
Est-ce qu’il a y a des affiches dans la salle de classe?
Are there any posters in the classroom?
To ask “WHAT is there?” or “WHAT are there?”, use the expression Qu’est-ce qu’ (pronounced ‘kessk’) before IL Y A :
Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans le sac à dos?
What is there in the backpack?
Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans la salle de classe?
What is there in the classroom?
In a negative construction, IL Y A becomes IL N’Y A PAS, meaning “there isn’t” or “there aren’t”. With IL N’Y A PAS, we use DE (or D’ before a noun that starts with a vowel or silent letter ‘h’) in place of the indefinite article (UN, UNE, or DES).
Il n’y a pas de stade sur le campus.
There isn’t any stadium on the campus.
(Also: There is no stadium on the campus.)
Il n’y a pas de table dans la salle de classe.
There isn’t any table in the classroom.
(Also: There is no table in the classroom.)
Il n’y a pas d’étudiants canadiens dans la classe.
There aren’t any Canadian students in the class.
(Also: There are no Canadian students in the class.)
Adapt:
Il y a un livre de français ici?
Is there a French book here?
Oui, il y a un livre de français ici sur une chaise.
Yes, there is a French book here on a chair.
Il y a une horloge sur le mur?
Is there a clock on the wall?
Non, il n’y a pas d’horloge sur le mur.
No, there is no clock on the wall.
Est-ce qu’il y a des crayons dans la salle de classe?
Are there some (any) pencils in the classroom?
Non, il n’y a pas de crayons dans la salle de classe.
No, there aren’t any pencils in the classroom.
(Also: No, there are no pencils in the classroom.)
Qu’est-ce qu’il y a sur la table?
What is there on the table?
Il y a quatre dictionnaires de français sur la table.
There are four French dictionaries on the table.
