Prepositons of Place (de lieu)
When describing the location of an object we need to use prepositions correctly. In this blog we are going to practice common prepositions of place and how they vary by gender!
Make sure to scroll all the way to the end to get access to free printable worksheets to test your knowledge!
Most commonly used Prepositions in French:
Sur = on
Example: Le chat est sur la table. The cat is on the table.
Sous = under
Example: Le chat sous la table. The cat is under the table.
Derrière = behind
Example: Le chat est derrière la table. The cat is behind the table.
Devant = in front of
Example: Le chat est devant la table. The cat is in front of the table.
Dans = in
Example: Le chat est dans la boîte. The cat is in the box.
À droite de = on the right of
Example: Le chat est à droite de la table. The cat is on the right of the table.
À gauche de = on the left of
Example: Le chat est à gauche de la table. The cat is on the left of the table.
Entre = between
Example: Le chat est entre la table et la boîte. The cat is between the table and the box.
How to identify the position of an object in a sentence:
We can use the same sentence structure in French and in English when you are indicating the position of an object.
Use this structure below to identify the position of an object:
The object + verb to be+ preposition of place + the object of reference
Here are some examples!
Le crayon + est + sur + la table.
The pencil + is + on + the table.
When indicating a place you are going using French Prepositions...
You must identify whether it is masculine or feminine!
In English, you only need the preposition “to”. However with French prepositions, it depends according to the gender of the word it precedes.
When the place you are going to is feminine, you use the prepositions “ à la”.
Example: I go to the beach. Je vais à la plage.
When the place you are going to is masculine, you use the prepositions “ au”.
Example: I go to the restaurant. Je vais au restaurant.
When the place you are going to starts with a vowel sound (a,e,i,o,u,h), you use the prepositions “ à l’ ”.
Example: I go to the hospital. Je vais à l’hôpital.
Now it's time to test your knowledge!
Check out our Free Printable Practice Worksheets below:
Now that you have learned about the Prepositions of place, you can practice them on your own!
