This article introduces prepositions and their usage in English grammar. Readers will learn about different types of prepositions, their roles in sentences, and how to use them correctly. Additionally, it covers common preposition phrases and their meanings, enhancing understanding and application in writing and speech.
Understanding Prépositions in French
Prepositions in French are words that link nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in a sentence. They play a crucial role in conveying spatial and temporal relations, such as location (“dans” – in) and time (“à” – at). Common French prepositions include “de” (of/from), “avec” (with), and “pour” (for), each serving to connect and clarify sentence elements.
Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time in French are used to indicate when something happens. They help specify the timing, duration, and frequency of events. Understanding these prepositions is crucial for accurate communication in both written and spoken French. Below is a table of common French prepositions of time, their English translations, usage, and examples.
| French | English | Usage | Example |
| à | at | Specific time | Je me lève à 7 heures. (I get up at 7 o’clock.) |
| en | in | Month, season, year | Elle arrive en juillet. (She arrives in July.) |
| depuis | since | Starting point in the past | Il habite ici depuis 2010. (He has lived here since 2010.) |
| pendant | during | Duration of time | Il a dormi pendant 8 heures. (He slept for 8 hours.) |
| jusqu’à | until | End point in time | Attends jusqu’à 18h00. (Wait until 6:00 PM.) |
| vers | around | Approximate time | Je vais partir vers midi. (I will leave around noon.) |
| avant | before | Before a specific time | Finis tes devoirs avant le dîner. (Finish your homework before dinner.) |
| après | after | After a specific time | Nous partirons après le déjeuner. (We will leave after lunch.) |
| dès | from/as soon as | After a specific time | Dès son arrivée, nous avons commencé. (As soon as he arrived, we started.) |
Prepositions of Place and Movement
Prepositions of place and movement in French indicate the location or direction of objects and actions. They are crucial for describing spatial relationships and movements accurately. Below is a table of common French prepositions of place and movement, their English translations, usage, and examples.
| French | English | Usage | Example |
| à | at/in/to | Specific location or direction | Je vais à Paris. (I am going to Paris.) |
| au-dessous | beneath, below | Lower position | Le chat est au-dessous de la table. (The cat is beneath the table.) |
| au-dessus | above | Higher position | L’avion vole au-dessus des nuages. (The plane flies above the clouds.) |
| autour de | around | Surrounding area | Nous marchons autour de la ville. (We walk around the city.) |
| chez | at the house of | Someone’s home or place | Je suis chez Marie. (I am at Marie’s house.) |
| dans | in | Inside a space | Il est dans la voiture. (He is in the car.) |
| de | from | Origin or starting point | Elle vient de France. (She comes from France.) |
| derrière | behind | Position at the back | Le jardin est derrière la maison. (The garden is behind the house.) |
| devant | in front of | Position at the front | La voiture est devant le garage. (The car is in front of the garage.) |
| en | in | State or condition | Il est en classe. (He is in class.) |
| en face de | in front of, facing | Opposite position | Le café est en face de l’école. (The café is facing the school.) |
| loin de | far from | Distance from | Il habite loin de la ville. (He lives far from the city. |
| parmi | among | Being part of a group | Elle est parmi ses amis. (She is among her friends.) |
| sous | below | Lower position | Le chien est sous la table. (The dog is below the table.) |
| sur | on | On top of | Le livre est sur la table. (The book is on the table.) |
| vers | toward | Direction | Il marche vers la plage. (He walks toward the beach.) |
Special Case: “Chez”
“Chez” is a unique preposition in French, used specifically to indicate being at someone’s home, place of work, or a place associated with someone. It cannot be directly translated into English but is often rendered as “at the house of” or “at [someone]’s place.”
Usage: “Chez” is used before a person’s name, profession, or a noun indicating an establishment.
Examples:
Person’s name: Je suis chez Paul. (I am at Paul’s house.)
Profession: Elle va chez le médecin. (She is going to the doctor.)
Establishment: Nous dînons chez un ami. (We are dining at a friend’s place.)
Prepositions of Countries
In French, the prepositions used with country names depend on the gender and number of the country. Here are the key rules:
1. Feminine Countries: Most countries ending in “-e” are feminine. The preposition en always comes before the name of a country if it is feminine and before masculine countries if they start with a vowel.
Use “en” for “to” or “in”.
Je vais en France. (I am going to France.)
Ils habitent en Italie. (They live in Italy.)
Use “de” for “from”.
Elle revient de France. (She is coming back from France.)
Nous sommes partis d’Italie. (We left Italy.)
2. Masculine Countries: Most countries not ending in “-e” are masculine. The preposition au always comes before the name of a country which is masculine.
Use “au” for “to” or “in”.
Je vais au Canada. (I am going to Canada.)
Ils voyagent au Japon. (They are traveling to Japan.)
Use “du” for “from”.
Il revient du Canada. (He is coming back from Canada.)
Elle arrive du Japon. (She is arriving from Japan.)
3. Plural Countries: The preposition au always comes before plural countries and islands. We,
Use “aux” for “to” or “in”.
Nous allons aux États-Unis. (We are going to the United States.)
Elle étudie aux Pays-Bas. (She is studying in the Netherlands.)
Use “des” for “from”.
Ils viennent des États-Unis. (They are coming from the United States.)
Il revient des Pays-Bas. (He is coming back from the Netherlands.)
Exceptions to the Gender Rule
Some countries have names that do not follow the typical gender rules:
1. Mexique: Although it ends in “-e”, it is masculine.
To/In: Je vais au Mexique. (I am going to Mexico.)
From: Elle revient du Mexique. (She is coming back from Mexico.)
2. Cambodge: Another exception to the “-e” rule.
To/In: Il voyage au Cambodge. (He is traveling to Cambodia.)
From: Nous arrivons du Cambodge. (We are arriving from Cambodia.)
3. Mozambique: Also masculine despite ending in “-e”.
To/In: Ils habitent au Mozambique. (They live in Mozambique.)
From: Elle revient du Mozambique. (She is coming back from Mozambique.)
4. Zimbabwe: Masculine and follows the exception rule.
To/In: Nous allons au Zimbabwe. (We are going to Zimbabwe.)
From: Ils reviennent du Zimbabwe. (They are coming back from Zimbabwe
Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases in French combine a preposition with a noun or pronoun to provide additional details about location, direction, or relation. These phrases are essential for conveying precise information and enhancing the clarity of communication.
Below is a table of common French prepositional phrases along with their English equivalents. Following the table are some examples to demonstrate their usage in context.
| Prepositional Phrases | Meaning |
| à côté de | next to, beside |
| à droite de | to the right of |
| à gauche de | to the left of |
| à l’extérieur de | outside (of) |
| à l’intérieur de | inside (of) |
| au coin de | at the corner of |
| au-dessous de | below, underneath |
| au-dessus de | higher than, above |
| autour de | around |
| en arrière de | behind |
| en bas de | below, at the bottom of |
| en dehors de | apart from |
| en face de | facing, across from,in front of |
| en haut de | above, at the top of |
| hors de | outside of,out of |
| loin de | far from |
| près de | near (to),next to |
Example:
1. à côté de (next to, beside)
Le parc est à côté de l’école.(The park is next to the school.)
2. en face de (facing, across from, in front of)
Le café est en face de la bibliothèque.(The café is facing the library.)
3. à l’intérieur de (inside of)
Il y a un chat à l’intérieur de la maison.(There is a cat inside the house.)
4. en haut de (above, at the top of)
Les livres sont en haut de l’étagère.(The books are at the top of the shelf.)
5. près de (near to, next to)
Mon bureau est près de la fenêtre.(My desk is near the window.)
Other prepositions to mention
| contre | against | Elle a appuyé l’échelle contre le mur. | She leaned the ladder against the wall. |
| durant | during | Ils sont restés silencieux durant le film. | They remained silent during the movie. |
| suivant | according to, following | Suivant les instructions, nous devons tourner à gauche. | Following the instructions, we need to turn left. |
| selon | according to | Selon les experts, il faut boire beaucoup d’eau. | According to the experts, one should drink a lot of water. |
| par | by, through | Le livre a été écrit par un auteur célèbre. | The book was written by a famous author. |
| sans | without | Je ne peux pas vivre sans musique. | I cannot live without music. |
Conclusion
Prepositions in French are essential for conveying spatial, temporal, and relational nuances, enhancing clarity and precision in communication. Applying this knowledge in daily conversations will improve fluency.
If you’re curious to learn about French Adverbs, check our article – French Adverbs: Meaning, Types with Examples and Exceptions. For more support, explore additional resources or join online French classes at La Forêt. Dive deeper into French grammar and elevate your language skills!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to place the preposition?
In French, prepositions typically precede the noun or pronoun they modify. For example, in “Je vais à Paris” (I am going to Paris), “à” (to) is the preposition that comes before “Paris.” Correct placement of prepositions is crucial for clear and accurate communication. For more detailed guidance, consider joining an online French class at LA Foret.
What is the preposition “à” in French?
The preposition “à” in French is versatile and translates to “to,” “at,” or “in” in English. It is used to indicate location, time, or direction. For example, “à Paris” (in Paris) or “à 8 heures” (at 8 o’clock). Mastering its use is essential for fluency, and LA Foret offers resources to help you learn.
When to use “dont” in French?
“Don’t” in French is used to link clauses, indicating possession, origin, or association. It translates to “whose,” “of which,” “of whom,” or “including.” Examples include: “La fille dont le père est médecin” (The girl whose father is a doctor) and “Les choses dont j’ai besoin” (The things I need).
What are the rules for prepositions in French?
French prepositions have specific rules regarding their usage with nouns, pronouns, and verbs. They often indicate relationships of place, time, and manner. Understanding these rules enhances sentence construction and meaning. For comprehensive learning, including interactive exercises and personalized feedback, explore the French grammar courses at LA Foret.