All Prepositions in French: A Comprehensive Guide
Prepositions are small but essential words that link other words in a sentence, indicating relationships such as time, place, cause, and manner. In French, prepositions play a vital role in sentence structure and meaning. Below is an overview of French prepositions categorized by their usage, along with examples.
1. Prepositions of Place
These prepositions indicate the location or position of something.
| Preposition | English Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| à | at, to | Je vais à Paris. (I’m going to Paris.) |
| dans | in, inside | Le livre est dans le sac. (The book is in the bag.) |
| sur | on | Les clés sont sur la table. (The keys are on the table.) |
| sous | under | Le chat est sous la chaise. (The cat is under the chair.) |
| devant | in front of | Elle est devant la porte. (She is in front of the door.) |
| derrière | behind | Il se cache derrière l’arbre. (He is hiding behind the tree.) |
| entre | between | La maison est entre deux arbres. (The house is between two trees.) |
| près de | near | Nous habitons près de la plage. (We live near the beach.) |
2. Prepositions of Time
These prepositions indicate relationships in time.
| Preposition | English Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| à | at | Le cours commence à 8 heures. (The class starts at 8 o’clock.) |
| en | in (duration) | Je vais en France en été. (I’m going to France in the summer.) |
| pendant | during, for | Il a dormi pendant deux heures. (He slept for two hours.) |
| depuis | since | Je travaille ici depuis 2010. (I’ve been working here since 2010.) |
| pour | for | Je suis ici pour trois jours. (I’m here for three days.) |
3. Prepositions of Cause, Purpose, and Means
These prepositions indicate reasons, purposes, or methods.
| Preposition | English Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| à cause de | because of | Il est parti à cause de la pluie. (He left because of the rain.) |
| pour | for, in order to | Je fais cela pour toi. (I’m doing this for you.) |
| grâce à | thanks to | C’est arrivé grâce à toi. (It happened thanks to you.) |
| avec | with | Il parle avec enthousiasme. (He speaks with enthusiasm.) |
| par | by | La lettre a été envoyée par Marie. (The letter was sent by Marie.) |
4. Prepositions of Manner and Quantity
These prepositions describe how something is done or refer to measurements.
| Preposition | English Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| en | in | Il est venu en voiture. (He came by car.) |
| par | by | Elle voyage par avion. (She travels by plane.) |
| de | of, from | Une tasse de thé. (A cup of tea.) |
5. Prepositions in Fixed Expressions
Some prepositions are used in fixed expressions that need to be memorized.
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| être en retard | to be late |
| aller à pied | to go on foot |
| avoir besoin de | to need |
| penser à quelqu’un/quelque chose | to think about someone/something |
6. Prepositions in Verb Constructions
Certain verbs require specific prepositions. For example:
- à: Il commence à travailler. (He starts to work.)
- de: Elle a décidé de partir. (She decided to leave.)
7. Prepositions of Direction
| Preposition | English Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| vers | towards | Elle marche vers la porte. (She walks towards the door.) |
| jusqu’à | until, up to | Marchez jusqu’à l’église. (Walk up to the church.) |
Practice Sentences
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate preposition:
- Nous sommes ___ la maison. (We are in the house.)
- Elle est partie ___ train. (She left by train.)
- Je travaille ici ___ cinq ans. (I’ve been working here for five years.)
- Ils habitent ___ Paris. (They live in Paris.)
- Je pense ___ toi. (I think about you.)
Conclusion
French prepositions can be challenging, but understanding their categories and contexts will make them easier to use. Practice using these prepositions in sentences, and soon they’ll become second nature in your conversations and writing!
You can take the multiple-choice quiz.
French prepositions can be classified into various categories, including prepositions of place, time, direction, and origin.
Would you like to deepen your understanding of French prepositions? Test yourself with our interactive online quiz and strengthen your grasp of their usage!
#1. C’est certain que tout cela est arrivé ……. sa faute !
#2. Les jeunes lisent beaucoup d’informations ……. internet.
#3. Je vais ….. Paris tous les jours.
#4. Je ne le vois pas. Il doit être …… plage.
#5. J’aime me promener dans la forêt ……. été.
#6. Je peux t’aider ? Il reste des choses …… faire ?
#7. Je laisse cuire la viande ….. quelques minutes.
#8. Ils sont intelligents …… comprendre la situation.
#9. Anne a bu trop d’alcool. Elle devrait rentrer ….. pied.
#10. Les enfants se brossent les dents 3 fois ….. jour.
#11. Je ne vois rien ….. mes lunettes.
#12. Tu viens manger ….. 7 heures ?
#13. ……. rond-point, prenez la deuxième sortie.
#14. Je ne peux pas acheter …. argent.
#15. Marc met 17 bougies ….. le gâteau d’anniversaire de Lucas.
#16. Tu as déjà marcher ….. l’herbe pieds nus ? J’adore !
Results
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