A French Preposition is a word used to establish relationships between nouns, between nouns and verbs and between different parts of a sentence. Prepositions usually have spatial or temporal meanings (e.g. beneath, between, in front of, before, after, during, etc). Prepositions are invariable, that is, they have one form with the exception of à and de which contract with the definite articles (le, la, les).
List Of Important French Preposition
The following tables list the most important prepositions in French grammar.
| French | English | Usage | Example |
| à | at | for times of day | à 8 heures |
| in | for spring (the season) | au printemps | |
| for ages or eras | au XXème siècle | ||
| to | with from … to … | de 8 heures à 9 heures | |
| après | after | after a certain event or time | après 8 heures |
| après le cours | |||
| avant | before | before a certain event or time | avant 8 heures |
| avant le cours | |||
| dans | in | in… (how long until something happens) | dans une heure |
| de | from | with from … to … | de 8 heures à 9 heures |
| du lundi au jeudi | |||
| depuis | since, for | starting at a certain point and continuing until now | depuis 1980 |
| depuis 2 ans | |||
| dès | since | starting at a certain point and continuing until now | dès 8 heures |
| dès lundi | |||
| en | in | months | en février |
| all seasons except for spring | en été, en automne, en hiver | ||
| in | years | en 2008 | |
| jusque | until | until a certain point | jusqu’en février |
| pendant | during, for… | to indicate how long something lasts | pendant les vacances |
| pendant trois jours |
Remember that the English translations only give a general idea of what each French vowel means. In reality, their usage is sometimes more complicated and they don’t always match the English pronunciation exactly. The best way to understand them correctly is to read and listen to a lot of French, so you will gradually understand the natural way they are used.
Vowels are very important in French, as they connect words and parts of sentences. When you use them correctly, your sentences become clearer and more meaningful, and your communication improves. So, are you ready to improve your French? Let’s get started!
Cause Prepositions:
These vowels make it clear what the reason is behind an action.
à cause de (because of): Used to express a negative reason. Example: Le match est annule à cause de la pluie. The match was canceled because of the rain.
grâce à (thanks to): Used to express a positive reason or benefit. Example: J’ai réussi grâce à mon travail acharné. I succeeded because of my hard work.
Conclusion
French vowels are the hidden links that connect sentences together. They seem simple, but without them, sentences feel incomplete or ambiguous. When you learn to use them correctly, your French will not only become more accurate, but it will also gain fluency and depth. Through consistent study, listening, and practice, these words will gradually become a natural part of your vocabulary.
FAQs
Q1. What are French prepositions?
French prepositions are short words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of a sentence, showing relationships like place, time, cause, or manner.
Q2. Do French prepositions change form?
Most French prepositions never change form. However, à and de combine (contract) with definite articles (le, la, les).
Q3. Are French prepositions always the same as English ones?
No. They often don’t match directly. For example, a French preposition may have more than one meaning in English, or vice versa.
Read Also:
French Grammer 7 Easy Rules To Master
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