What are Prepositions?
Prepositions are small words that connect nouns and show relationships between them. In French, prepositions are essential for expressing time, place, direction, and other connections in a sentence.
Prepositions are small linking words (à, de, en, pour, etc.) that connect nouns and show relationships in time, place, and direction.
- •à = to, at
- •de = from, of
- •en = in
- •sur = on
- •sous = under
- •avant = before
- •après = after
- •pendant = during
- •pour = for
- •sans = without
Step-by-step worked examples
Fill the blank: Je vais ___ école.
The preposition à means 'to' or 'at'. Sentence: Je vais à l'école. (I go to school.)
Complete: Elle vient ___ Paris.
The preposition de means 'from'. Sentence: Elle vient de Paris. (She comes from Paris.)
Finish: Il habite ___ France.
Use en for countries (feminine or starting with vowel). Sentence: Il habite en France. (He lives in France.)
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Je suis ___ école.
Q2.Elle vient ___ New York.
Q3.Il habite ___ Canada.
Q4.Le livre est ___ la table.
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “What are Prepositions?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
Using 'de' for destination instead of 'à'. — Correct: Je vais À Paris (not de Paris).
Using 'à' for countries. — Correct: Use 'en' for countries: en France, en Italie.
Forgetting the preposition entirely. — Correct: Prepositions are required in French. Je vais à l'école.
Confusing 'sur' and 'sur le'. — Correct: Both forms exist: sur la table or sur le bureau.
FAQ
What are prepositions in French?
Prepositions are small connecting words (à, de, en, pour) that show relationships between nouns—place, time, direction.
How do I know which preposition to use?
Context matters: location (à/en/sur), origin (de), time (avant/après/pendant), purpose (pour). Memorize common phrases.
Do prepositions contract with articles?
Yes: à + le = au, à + les = aux, de + le = du, de + les = des.
Are prepositions the same in all French sentences?
No. Different verbs and nouns take different prepositions. Learn them in context (e.g., 'aller à', 'venir de').