The invention relates to 1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one-3-carboxamides of the formula I ##STR00001## where the variables R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, X, Y, A, n, R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, R.sup.d and R.sup.e are as defined in claim 1 and to their agriculturally useful salts.Moreover, the invention relates to the use of compounds I and/or their salts as herbicides; crop protection compositions comprising at least one 1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one-3-carboxamide of the formula I and/or at least one agriculturally useful salt of I as active substances; and also a method for controlling unwanted vegetation, which comprises allowing a herbicidally effective amount of at least one 1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one-3-carboxamide of the formula I or an agriculturally useful salt of I to act on plants, their habitat or on seed.