Le chat est sous la table.
English: The cat is under the table.
- Language
- French
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Prépositions
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
Prepositions of place in French are words that show where something or someone is located. They help describe position, direction, or distance in relation to another object.
When to use it
Use these prepositions to say where a person or object is, to give directions, or to describe the position of things in space.
Key forms
- à (at, in, to)
- dans (in, inside)
- sur (on, on top of)
- sous (under)
- devant (in front of)
- derrière (behind)
- entre (between)
- près de (near)
- loin de (far from)
- à côté de (next to)
- en face de (opposite)
Examples
La boulangerie est à côté de la banque.
English: The bakery is next to the bank.
Il y a un parc devant l'école.
English: There is a park in front of the school.
Mon livre est sur le bureau.
English: My book is on the desk.
Le cinéma est en face du restaurant.
English: The cinema is opposite the restaurant.
Tips
- Some prepositions need 'de' after them (like 'près de', 'à côté de').
- Remember to use the correct article after the preposition (du, de la, des).
- Do not confuse 'dans' (inside) with 'sur' (on top of).
Exceptions and edge cases
- When 'de' comes before 'le', it becomes 'du' (e.g., 'près du parc').
- Before a vowel or silent 'h', 'de' + 'l’' is used (e.g., 'près de l’école').