When learning French, one of the essential aspects to master is the use of prepositions, especially when referring to time. Prepositions of time are words that indicate when an action takes place or the duration of an event. In French, there are several prepositions that are commonly used in relation to time. In this guide, we will explore the most frequently used prepositions of time and provide examples to help you understand their usage.
À (At)
The preposition “à” is used to express a specific time or moment when an action occurs. It is equivalent to the English preposition “at.” Here are some examples:
Je me lève à six heures. (I get up at six o’clock.)
Le cours commence à neuf heures. (The class starts at nine o’clock.)
Nous avons rendez-vous à midi. (We have an appointment at noon.)
En (In)
The preposition “en” is used to express a duration of time or a specific period. It can be translated as “in” or “during” in English. Here are some examples:
Je vais en vacances en juillet. (I’m going on vacation in July.)
Il a travaillé en France pendant un an. (He worked in France for a year.)
Nous avons un examen en mai. (We have an exam in May.)
Pendant (During)
The preposition “pendant” is used to express the duration of an action or an event. It is similar to the English preposition “during.” Here are some examples:
Je lis un livre pendant une heure. (I read a book for an hour.)
Elle a étudié pendant la soirée. (She studied during the evening.)
Nous avons voyagé pendant les vacances d’été. (We traveled during the summer vacation.)
Depuis (Since)
The preposition “depuis” is used to express the starting point of an action that is still ongoing. It is equivalent to the English preposition “since.” Here are some examples:
J’apprends le français depuis trois mois. (I have been learning French for three months.)
Elle travaille ici depuis l’année dernière. (She has been working here since last year.)
Nous sommes amis depuis l’enfance. (We have been friends since childhood.)
Jusqu’à (Until)
The preposition “jusqu’à” is used to indicate the endpoint or limit of an action or period of time. It can be translated as “until” in English. Here are some examples:
Je vais rester ici jusqu’à demain. (I will stay here until tomorrow.)
Les magasins sont ouverts jusqu’à dix heures du soir. (The shops are open until ten o’clock at night.)
Nous avons travaillé jusqu’à minuit. (We worked until midnight.)
Dans (In/Within)
The preposition “dans” is used to express a future point in time or to indicate a time frame within which something will happen. It can be translated as “in” or “within” in English. Here are some examples:
Je vais terminer le projet dans deux semaines. (I will finish the project in two weeks.)
Le spectacle commence dans une heure. (The show starts in one hour.)
Nous devons partir dans cinq minutes. (We need to leave in five minutes.)
Vers (Around)
The preposition “vers” is used to express an approximate time or to indicate an estimated time. It can be translated as “around” in English. Here are some examples:
Je vais arriver vers midi. (I will arrive around noon.)
Le train part vers dix heures du matin. (The train leaves around ten o’clock in the morning.)
Nous avons rendez-vous vers quatre heures. (We have an appointment around four o’clock.)
Entre (Between)
The preposition “entre” is used to indicate a time frame between two points in time. It can be translated as “between” in English. Here are some examples:
Le cours a lieu entre neuf heures et onze heures. (The class takes place between nine o’clock and eleven o’clock.)
Nous devons rendre nos devoirs entre le lundi et le mercredi. (We have to submit our assignments between Monday and Wednesday.)
Les magasins sont ouverts entre dix heures et six heures. (The shops are open between ten o’clock and six o’clock.)
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions of time in French is crucial for effectively expressing when an action occurs or the duration of an event. The prepositions mentioned in this guide—à, en, pendant, depuis, jusqu’à, dans, vers, and entre—cover various time-related contexts. By practicing their usage and applying them in sentences, you will develop a strong foundation in expressing time in French. Remember to pay attention to the specific preposition used in different contexts, as they can greatly influence the meaning of your sentences. With consistent practice and exposure to the language, you will become more comfortable using prepositions of time and expand your overall French language skills.
Originally posted 2023-07-14 16:36:31.