12.8.1

Prepositions

Test yourself

In, To, Of

Prepositions are words like 'in', 'to' or 'of'. They let you add more detail to a sentence.

Illustrative background for 'À' - 'at', 'to' or 'in'Illustrative background for 'À' - 'at', 'to' or 'in' ?? "content

'À' - 'at', 'to' or 'in'

  • 'À' can be translated as 'at', 'to' or 'in' depending on how it's used.
  • 'À' changes when followed by 'le' or 'les'.
    • À + le → au - masculine singular.
      • Je vais au ciné - I go to the cinema.
    • À + la → à la - feminine singular.
      • Je suis à la plage - I am at the beach.
    • À + l' → à l' - before a vowel or 'h'.
    • À + les → aux - masculine, feminine plural.
Illustrative background for 'En' can mean 'in' or 'to'Illustrative background for 'En' can mean 'in' or 'to' ?? "content

'En' can mean 'in' or 'to'

  • 'En' is used instead of 'à' before countries that are feminine or start with a vowel.
    • J'habite en France - I live in France.
    • Je suis allé en Inde - I went to India.
  • 'En' can be used to describe how long it takes to do something or when saying something happened at a specific time.
    • J'y suis allé en janvier - I went there in January.
    • Je l'ai fait en dix minutes - I did it in 10 minutes.
  • 'En' can be used to say what something's made of.
    • Un pull en laine - a wool jumper.
Illustrative background for 'De' can mean 'of' or 'from'Illustrative background for 'De' can mean 'of' or 'from' ?? "content

'De' can mean 'of' or 'from'

  • 'De' can mean 'of'.
    • Une verre d' eau - a glass of water.
    • Une tasse de café - a mug of coffee.
  • Like 'à', 'de' changes with 'le' and 'les'.
    • De + le → Du - masculine singular.
    • De + la → De la - feminine singular.
    • De + l' → De l' - before a vowel or some 'h'.
    • De + les → Des - masculine, feminine plural.

Verbs That Use 'A' or 'De'

Some verbs are only followed by 'à' or 'de'.

Illustrative background for 'À'Illustrative background for 'À' ?? "content

'À'

  • (S')intéresser à - to be interested in.
  • Aider à - to help.
  • Écrire à - to write to.
  • Rendre visite à - to visit (someone).
  • Demander à - to ask (something of/to).
  • Parler à - to speak to.
  • Téléphoner à - to phone (someone).
  • Faire attention à - to pay attention to.
  • Répondre à - to reply.
Illustrative background for 'De'Illustrative background for 'De' ?? "content

'De'

  • S'agir de - to be about.
  • Manquer de - to lack.
  • Profiter de - to make the most of.
  • Avoir envie, besoin, peur de - to want, need, be scared of.
  • Penser de - to have an opinion about.
  • Dépendre de - depend on.
  • Se méfier de - to not trust.
Illustrative background for Jouer - to playIllustrative background for Jouer - to play ?? "content

Jouer - to play

  • The verb 'jouer' takes different prepositions depending on what the object is.
    • Jouer à - to play (sport)
    • Jouer de - to play (instrument).

Jump to other topics

1The Changing Nature of Family

2The 'cyber-society'

3The Place of Voluntary Work

4Diverse Society

5The Marginalised

6How Criminals Are Treated

7A Culture Proud of its Heritage

8Cinema: the 7th Art Form

9Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power?

10Politics & Immigration

11Conjugation & Use of Tenses

11.1Present Tense

11.2Perfect Tense

11.3Imperfect Tense

11.4Future Tense

11.5Conditional Tense

11.6Future Perfect Tense

11.7Conditional Perfect Tense

11.8Pluperfect Tense

12Extra Grammar

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium