Prepositions of place · Prépositions de lieu
Where things are
- Prepositions of place say where something is.
- The cat is on the bed. The ball is under the table.
- Small words, but very useful.
The cat is under the table. It is not helping with dinner.
Où sont les choses
- Les prépositions de lieu indiquent où se trouve quelque chose.
- Le chat est sur le lit. La balle est sous la table.
- Petits mots, mais très utiles.
Le chat est sous la table. Il n'aide pas pour le dîner.
in / on / under
- in = inside: in the box, in the bag.
- on = on a surface: on the table, on the wall.
- under = below: under the chair.
in / on / under
- in = dedans : in the box, in the bag.
- on = sur une surface : on the table, on the wall.
- under = dessous : under the chair.
The book is on the table. Which word shows the surface? · Le livre est sur la table. Quel mot montre la surface ?
A surface (the table top) → on. · Une surface (le dessus de la table) → on.
Complete: The keys are ___ the bag. (inside) · Complétez : Les clés sont ___ le sac. (dedans)
Inside something → in: “in the bag”. · Dedans quelque chose → in : « in the bag ».
Translate into English: 猫在椅子下面。 · Traduisez en anglais : 猫在椅子下面。
Below → under: “The cat is under the chair.” · En dessous → under : « The cat is under the chair. »
next to / between / behind
- next to = beside: next to the door.
- between = in the middle of two things: between the shops.
- behind = at the back; in front of = at the front.
next to / between / behind
- next to = à côté de : next to the door.
- between = au milieu de deux choses : between the shops.
- behind = à l'arrière ; in front of = à l'avant.
in, on or under? · in, on ou under ?
in = inside, on = on a surface, under = below. · in = dedans, on = sur une surface, under = dessous.
Choose: She sits ___ Tom and Sam. · Choisissez : Elle est assise ___ Tom et Sam.
Between two people/things → between (… and …). · Entre deux personnes/choses → between (… and …).
Asking Where …?
- Use Where + is / are: Where is my phone? Where are the keys?
- Answer with a preposition: It's on the desk.
Demander Où …?
- Utilisez Where + is / are : Où est mon téléphone ? Où sont les clés ?
- Répondez avec une préposition : C'est sur le bureau.
Common mistakes
- ❌ The picture is in the wall. → ✓ The picture is on the wall.
- ❌ The shop is next the bank. → ✓ next to the bank.
- ❌ between Tom with Sam → ✓ between Tom and Sam.
Erreurs courantes
- ❌ The picture is in the wall. → ✓ L'image est sur le mur.
- ❌ The shop is next the bank. → ✓ À côté de la banque.
- ❌ between Tom with Sam → ✓ entre Tom et Sam.
Match the meaning to the preposition. · Reliez le sens à la préposition.
in = inside, on = touching the top, under = below, next to = at the side.
Is this correct? “The picture is on the wall.” · Est-ce correct ? « The picture is on the wall. »
Yes — the picture touches the wall's surface, so on is right. · Oui — l'image touche la surface du mur, donc on est correct.
- in (inside), on (a surface), under (below).
- next to (beside), between (… and …), behind (at the back).
- Ask with Where is / are …?
- in (à l'intérieur), on (sur une surface), under (en dessous).
- next to (à côté de), between (… et …), behind (à l'arrière).
- Demandez avec Where is / are … ?
Look at your room. Write one sentence saying where something is, using a preposition of place. · Regardez votre chambre. Écrivez une phrase disant où se trouve quelque chose, en utilisant une préposition de lieu.
Example: “My bag is on the chair.” · Exemple : « My bag is on the chair. »