Learning a new language often involves understanding not just the vocabulary and grammar, but also the intricate ways that language handles concepts like time, space, and relationships between ideas. French, like many languages, uses prepositions to indicate such relationships, and one area where this becomes particularly complex is in the use of prepositions of time. This guide aims to help English speakers master French prepositions of time by providing clear explanations, examples, and tips for effective usage.
Understanding French Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of the sentence to indicate when something happens. In English, these include words like “at,” “on,” “in,” “before,” and “after.” Similarly, French employs a set of prepositions to convey temporal relationships, and understanding these is essential for fluent and accurate communication.
Common French Prepositions of Time
Here is a list of some of the most common French prepositions of time and their English equivalents:
1. **À (at)**
2. **En (in)**
3. **Dans (in, within)**
4. **Pendant (during)**
5. **Depuis (since)**
6. **Pour (for)**
7. **Avant (before)**
8. **Après (after)**
9. **Vers (around, towards)**
10. **De…à (from…to)**
À (at)
The preposition “à” is used to specify a precise time, much like the English “at.”
– **Examples:**
– Le film commence **à** 20 heures. (The movie starts at 8 PM.)
– Nous nous sommes rencontrés **à** midi. (We met at noon.)
En (in)
“En” is used to indicate a period of time in which an action takes place, often without a specific end. This can denote months, years, seasons, and lengths of time.
– **Examples:**
– Elle reviendra **en** avril. (She will return in April.)
– Nous avons fini le projet **en** deux jours. (We finished the project in two days.)
– Il fait froid **en** hiver. (It is cold in winter.)
Dans (in, within)
“Dans” is used when referring to a future time frame or to indicate something will happen within a certain period.
– **Examples:**
– Le train partira **dans** dix minutes. (The train will leave in ten minutes.)
– Nous partirons en vacances **dans** une semaine. (We will go on vacation in a week.)
Pendant (during)
“Pendant” is used to indicate the duration of an action, similar to the English “during” or “for.”
– **Examples:**
– Il a dormi **pendant** huit heures. (He slept for eight hours.)
– Nous avons voyagé **pendant** les vacances. (We traveled during the holidays.)
Depuis (since)
“Depuis” is used to indicate a starting point in the past that continues up to the present, similar to the English “since” or “for.”
– **Examples:**
– Elle travaille ici **depuis** 2010. (She has been working here since 2010.)
– Il étudie le français **depuis** trois ans. (He has been studying French for three years.)
Pour (for)
“Pour” is used to indicate a duration in the future, often translated as “for.”
– **Examples:**
– Je pars **pour** une semaine. (I am leaving for a week.)
– Ils sont partis **pour** le week-end. (They left for the weekend.)
Avant (before)
“Avant” is used to indicate a time before a specific moment or event, similar to the English “before.”
– **Examples:**
– Nous devons partir **avant** midi. (We must leave before noon.)
– Elle est arrivée **avant** moi. (She arrived before me.)
Après (after)
“Après” is used to indicate a time following a specific moment or event, similar to the English “after.”
– **Examples:**
– Nous irons au cinéma **après** le dîner. (We will go to the cinema after dinner.)
– Il a commencé à travailler **après** ses études. (He started working after his studies.)
Vers (around, towards)
“Vers” is used to indicate an approximate time, similar to the English “around.”
– **Examples:**
– Ils arriveront **vers** 18 heures. (They will arrive around 6 PM.)
– Elle passe nous voir **vers** midi. (She comes to see us around noon.)
De…à (from…to)
“De…à” is used to indicate a span of time from one point to another, similar to the English “from…to.”
– **Examples:**
– Le magasin est ouvert **de** 9 heures **à** 18 heures. (The store is open from 9 AM to 6 PM.)
– Nous serons en vacances **de** juin **à** août. (We will be on vacation from June to August.)
Contextual Usage and Nuances
Understanding the basic meanings of these prepositions is a good start, but mastering them requires understanding the context in which they are used. Here are some additional nuances and tips to consider:
En vs. Dans
Both “en” and “dans” can translate to “in” in English, but their uses are distinct in French. “En” is used for more general or ongoing time frames, while “dans” is used for future events or specific future periods.
– **Examples:**
– Correct: Elle reviendra **en** avril. (She will return in April.)
– Incorrect: Elle reviendra **dans** avril.
– Correct: Le train partira **dans** dix minutes. (The train will leave in ten minutes.)
– Incorrect: Le train partira **en** dix minutes.
Depuis vs. Pendant
“Depuis” is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present, whereas “pendant” is used for an action that has a defined duration, which may or may not be ongoing.
– **Examples:**
– Correct: Il habite ici **depuis** 2010. (He has been living here since 2010.)
– Incorrect: Il habite ici **pendant** 2010.
– Correct: Il a dormi **pendant** huit heures. (He slept for eight hours.)
– Incorrect: Il a dormi **depuis** huit heures.
Pour vs. Pendant
“Pour” is used to indicate a duration in the future, while “pendant” can indicate a duration that is either in the past or future.
– **Examples:**
– Correct: Je partirai **pour** une semaine. (I will leave for a week.)
– Incorrect: Je partirai **pendant** une semaine.
– Correct: Elle a étudié **pendant** deux heures. (She studied for two hours.)
– Incorrect: Elle a étudié **pour** deux heures.
Practical Exercises
To solidify your understanding of French prepositions of time, here are some practical exercises:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct preposition of time:
1. Le concert commence __ 21 heures.
2. Ils arrivent __ cinq minutes.
3. Elle a vécu à Paris __ dix ans.
4. Nous partons en vacances __ une semaine.
5. Le marché est ouvert __ 8 heures __ 14 heures.
6. Il est né __ 1990.
7. Je vais chez le médecin __ demain.
8. Nous avons attendu __ une heure.
9. __ combien de temps as-tu travaillé ici?
10. Ils se sont rencontrés __ la soirée.
Exercise 2: Translation
Translate the following sentences into French:
1. She will come back in May.
2. We have been friends since childhood.
3. I will stay in France for two months.
4. The meeting is at 3 PM.
5. They will arrive around noon.
6. He left before the end of the movie.
7. We will eat after the show.
8. The store is open from 10 AM to 8 PM.
9. The class lasts for three hours.
10. She has been studying for five years.
Conclusion
Mastering French prepositions of time is a significant step towards fluency and can greatly enhance your ability to communicate clearly and accurately. By understanding the specific uses and nuances of each preposition, and practicing through exercises and real-life application, you will become more confident in expressing temporal relationships in French. Remember, consistent practice and exposure are key to internalizing these concepts, so keep practicing and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Bon courage! (Good luck!)
