French Common Prepositional Phrases: Speak Like a Native
Level: DELF A1
Introduction
Mastering prepositional phrases in French can make a huge difference in sounding more fluent and natural. These small expressions help convey reasons, circumstances, and ongoing actions with precision. In this guide, we'll explore some of the most common prepositional phrases and provide easy mnemonics to help you remember them effortlessly!
1. À cause de (Because of / Due to)
Used to indicate a negative reason or cause.
- Example: Il est en retard à cause de la circulation. (He is late because of the traffic.)
- Mnemonic: Imagine someone angrily pointing at their watch, saying, "Because of YOU, I’m late!" The phrase "cause" sounds like "reason" in English, linking it to why something happened.
2. Grâce à (Thanks to)
Used when something positive happens due to a reason.
- Example: Nous avons réussi grâce à ton aide. (We succeeded thanks to your help.)
- Mnemonic: Think of "grâce" as "grace" in English, representing something good or positive.
3. En train de (In the process of)
Used to indicate an action currently happening.
- Example: Elle est en train de cuisiner. (She is in the process of cooking.)
- Mnemonic: Imagine a train moving forward. Just like a train is in motion, "en train de" shows an action that is currently happening.
4. D’après (According to)
Used to reference someone’s opinion or source of information.
- Example: D’après le professeur, cet examen sera difficile. (According to the teacher, this exam will be difficult.)
- Mnemonic: Think of "d'après" as "from after"—it represents something coming after another person’s statement or opinion.
5. Au lieu de (Instead of)
Used to express a preference for one thing over another.
- Example: Il a pris un café au lieu d’un thé. (He took a coffee instead of a tea.)
- Mnemonic: Imagine two people arguing at a café: "I wanted tea instead of coffee!"— Lieu sounds like "place," helping you remember it means replacing one thing with another.
6. Quant à (As for / Regarding)
Used to introduce a topic or person under discussion.
- Example: Quant à moi, je préfère rester ici. (As for me, I prefer to stay here.)
- Mnemonic: Think of "quant" like "quantity"—it introduces a specific topic being discussed.
7. Au sujet de (About / Concerning)
Used to introduce the topic of discussion.
- Example: Nous avons parlé au sujet du projet. (We talked about the project.)
- Mnemonic: The word "sujet" sounds like "subject," so remember this as referring to the subject of discussion.
8. Vis-à-vis de (Regarding / In relation to)
Used to compare or discuss something in relation to something else.
- Example: Il est prudent vis-à-vis des nouvelles technologies. (He is cautious regarding new technologies.)
- Mnemonic: Picture two people "face-to-face" (vis-à-vis) in a discussion about a subject.
9. En raison de (Due to / Because of)
A more formal way to express a cause or reason.
- Example: L'événement est annulé en raison du mauvais temps. (The event is canceled due to bad weather.)
- Mnemonic: "Raison" sounds like "reason," making it easy to connect this phrase with the idea of a cause.
10. Par rapport à (Compared to / With respect to)
Used to make comparisons or indicate a relationship.
- Example: Ce produit est cher par rapport à l’autre. (This product is expensive compared to the other.)
- Mnemonic: Think of "rapport" as a report comparing two things.
Final Thoughts
Learning these prepositional phrases will improve your ability to express yourself clearly and naturally in French. Using mnemonics makes them easier to remember, so next time you speak, try visualizing these mental shortcuts! Bonne chance ! 🇫🇷
You may like
Read more:
💙 Table of Contents: French Grammar
