Using à with le, la and les

The preposition à is often used with le, la or les. Sometimes this leads to a change of form:

When à is used with le, it changes to au:

Il donne le livre au professeur

He gives the book to the teacher

When à is used with les, it changes to aux:

Elle donne les bonbons aux enfants

She gives the sweets to the children

When à is used with la it is unchanged:

Il donne les fleurs à la chanteuse

He gives the flowers to the singer

À plus the definite article is often used with verbs saying where you’re going:

Nous allons à la plage

We’re going to the beach

It is also often used in food expressions:

Je veux un sandwich au jambon

I want a ham sandwich

Je voudrais une glace à la vanille

I’d like a vanilla ice-cream