Prepositions

Prepositions
Prepositions are words that allow a relation between several elements in a sentence. Let’s review some of
the most common French prepositions and see how they are used.
à
après
avant
avec
chez
concernant
contre
dans
de
depuis
derrière
dès
devant
durant
entre
at
after
before
with
at (place)
concerning
against
in
from
since
behind
as soon as
in front of
During
between
envers
hormis
jusque
malgré
par
pendant
près
parmi
pour
sans
sauf
selon
sous
sur
vers
towards (person)
except
until
despite
through
during
close to
among
for
without
except
according to
under
on
towards (place)
Prepositions are one of the hardest things to learn in a new language, because their use will differ from
one language to another, seemingly for no reason. For example, in French, we say être sous la douche
(to be under the shower), but we don’t say être dans la douche (to be in the shower).
Here is a list of some expressions that differ between English and French.
regarder par la fenêtre (to look through the window)
pendant + expression de temps (for + expression of time)
être sous la douche (to be in the shower)
passer par (to stop by, to stop through)
sous la pluie (in the rain)
être au soleil (to be in the sun)
le meilleur du monde (the best in the world)
être dans le bus, dans le train,… (on the bus, on the train)
monter dans le train (to get on the train…)
être chez moi, chez le docteur (to be at my house, at the doctor, …)
la télévision sous commande (TV on demand)
Keep practicing using prepositions in context. It will set you apart as a true French speaker.
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