PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE

LEARNING TIPS

Use IN  

a) when something is around on all sides: 

   in my pocket, in the garden, in the kitchen dans ma poche, dans le jardin, dans la cuisine

b) in front of "town" or "country" : 

  Henry lives in Italy. Kate lives in Paris.I live in a village. Henry vit en italie. Kate vit à Paris. J'habite dans un village.

Use AT  

a) for a position or a point in space : 

  a woman at the door; sitting at his desk; At the tube station. une femme à la porte; assis à son bureau; à la station de métro

b) in front of an address  :  

At 10Downing street

c) at + house or place :  At mike's  Chez Mike.

d) for events :

  See you at the meeting. à bientôt à la réunion 

  "She is at the match Elle est au match (de foot, rugby...)

Use TO for a movement :   Is this train going to Paris? Est-ce que ce train va à Paris?

Use INTO instead of to if there is a movement towards the inside :   He quickly walked into the room. Il entra (en marchant) rapidement dans la pièce 

Use ONTO if there is a movement towards a surface :  The cat jumped onto the table. Le chat a sauté sur la table.

TO THE FRENCH LEARNER

Some  English  prepositions may have several translations in French!

Some French prepositions may have several English words to translate them! 

Compare the following sentences:

using at/to

 a)"There are about 300 trainees at Jean L'Heminier school" Il y a environ 300 stagiaires à l'ècole Jean L'Herminier.

b) See you at mike's. A bientôt chez Mike.

c) "Most trainees go to school by car" La plupart des stagiaires viennent à l'école en voiture.

d) going to bed  aller se coucher (au lit)

using in

a) She lives in England  Elle habite en Angleterre.

b) He lives in the country. Il habite à  la campagne.

c) Stuck in bed  cloué au lit