Prepositions (1)

1 Introduction

1.1 Definition

A preposition is a word like in in English or dans in French that is placed in front of another word referred to as a complement (usually a noun or infinitive ) and which expresses the relationship between the complement and the rest of the sentence. Prepositions are always invariable .

1.2 Functions

A preposition can have one of two basic functions:

1.2.1 Transparent link

(Usually de or à) To provide a transparent link between two words. The preposition may follow a verb :

Je n'ai pas réussi à convaincre notre patron

I didn't succeed in convincing our boss

It may follow an adjective :

Il ne sera pas facile de convaincre notre patron

It won't be easy to convince our boss

It may follow an adverb of quantity:

Beaucoup de gens pensent ainsi

A lot of people think that

Or it may follow a noun :

Le taux de chômage est à la hausse

Unemployment is rising

1.2.2 Distinct relationship

(All prepositions ) Its second function is to express a distinct relationship between a noun or noun phrase and the rest of its sentence. Take, for example, the following sentence:

Il a posé le livre sur la table

He placed the book on the table

Here the preposition sur expresses the relationship between its complement la table and the rest of the sentence.

1.3 English versus French

Often prepositions in English have counterparts in French which will serve as an adequate translation most of the time. For example, of is often translated by de, to by à, in by dans and so on. There are many exceptions, however; often the counterparts fail to coincide:

Cela dépend de ton point de vue

That depends on your point of view

And often one language uses a preposition and the other does not:

J'ai besoin d'un ouvre-boîte

I need a tin opener

As such, prepositions are often best learned as part of a broader phrase, just as nouns are learned with their gender .

1.4 Repetition

Where a preposition applies to two or more nouns linked by and or but, the preposition generally occurs before each noun. This is different from English:

J'ai besoin d'un ouvre-boîte et d'un tire-bouchon

I need a tin opener and a corkscrew

In the above circumstances, where there is a preposition phrase made up of two prepositions, one of which is de, only the de is repeated before each subsequent noun :

Nous nous sommes promenés autour de Notre-Dame et du Louvre

We walked around Notre Dame and the Louvre

2 Expressing to

2.1 De versus à

2.1.1 Used in verb constructions

For an extensive list of prepositions used in verb constructions to introduce an infinitive (as in mériter de faire - to deserve to do), see the verb construction list.

2.1.2 Used in adjective constructions

When used with ce or il with être plus an adjective (as in il est difficile de faire - it is difficult to do) see 19:3.1.2.

2.2 Other uses

3 Expressing for

For is generally translated by pour in French. Note, however, the following exceptions:

4 Expressing at

5 Expressing of

Of is generally translated by de in French. Note, however, the following exceptions:

6 Expressing from

From is generally translated by de in French. Note, however, the following exceptions:

7 Expressing on