Time & Duration
When does it happen? How long has it been? Mastering prepositions of time is essential for storytelling and scheduling in French.
Specific Points
Precise Moments
Used for specific hours, ages, and fixed times of the day.
à 8 heuresat 8 o'clock
à midiat noon
à 20 ansat 20 years old
General Periods
Used for months, years, seasons, and historical periods.
en maiin May
en 2024in 2024
en hiverbut: au printemps*
The Duration Battle
depuis
Present Tense
Ongoing
Starts in past, continues NOW.
"J'étudie depuis 10h."
pendant
Past Tense
Completed
A set duration in the past.
"J'ai dormi pendant 8h."
pour
Future / Go
Planned
Future duration from now.
"Je pars pour 3 jours."
Logic & Flow
Sequence
AvantBefore
avant le dînerAprèsAfter
après le travailThe Countdown
DansPoint in future
Je pars dans 10 min. (10 mins from now)EnTotal activity time
J'ai fini en une heure. (It took 1 hour)Comparison: Dans vs. En
When
Je pars dans 5 minutes.
(I will leave at 5:05 if it's 5:00 now)
How Long
Il court 5km en 20 minutes.
(The total duration of the run is 20m)