Mastering French Prepositions
Prepositions are the glue of the French language, connecting nouns, pronouns, and phrases to create meaning. Whether you are describing where something is or when it happens, mastering these is key. Practice this with PrepMyFrench exercises to build your intuition!
What are Prepositions?
A preposition is a word used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. They typically indicate direction, time, place, location, or spatial relationships.
Simple Prepositions (e.g., à, de, en)
Compound Prepositions (e.g., à côté de, au-dessus de)
Quick Examples
À ParisPlace
En étéTime
Pour toiPurpose
Deep Dive Categories
The Essential 'Big Five'
à
Destination & Location
Used for cities and specific destinations. Check the PrepMyFrench verb conjugator for verbs that require 'à'.
de
Origin & Possession
Indicates where someone is from or who something belongs to.
pour
Purpose & Intention
Used to express 'for' or 'in order to' achieve a goal.
en
State & Duration
Used for countries (feminine), materials, or time frames.
avec
Accompaniment & Manner
Used to describe who you are with or the tool used to do something.
Pro Tip
Many French prepositions change based on the gender of the noun. For example, à + le becomes au. Don't let contractions trip you up—study our Articles guide for more!