emploi des prépositions complexes grammar in French

Language: French
Level: B2
Unit: Adverbes, comparatifs et prépositions
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

In French, complex prepositions are groups of two or more words that function together as a preposition. They show relationships like cause, purpose, or time.

When to use it

Use complex prepositions in French to express reasons, places, comparisons, exceptions, or relationships between things. They often connect ideas in a more precise way than simple prepositions.

Key forms

à cause de
grâce à
en face de
au lieu de
par rapport à
en dehors de
en raison de

Examples

Nous sommes arrivés en retard à cause de la pluie.

English: We arrived late because of the rain.

Elle a réussi grâce à son travail.

English: She succeeded thanks to her work.

La voiture est garée en face de la maison.

English: The car is parked in front of the house.

Il a choisi le train au lieu de l’avion.

English: He chose the train instead of the plane.

En dehors de ce problème, tout va bien.

English: Apart from this problem, everything is fine.

Tips

Remember that complex prepositions are followed by a noun or pronoun, never a verb.
Do not separate the words in a complex preposition; they work together as one unit.
Some complex prepositions can change meaning if you change a word, so memorize them as fixed expressions.