Sur – Sous – Au Dessus – En Dessous – Par Dessus – Par Dessous

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Mastering the usage of prepositions and adverbs like “sur,” “sous,” “au dessus,” “en dessous,” “par dessus,” and “par dessous” is essential for expressing precise positions and movements in French.

⬇ sᴄʀᴏʟʟ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ғᴏʀ ᴀ ʜᴀɴᴅʏ ᴄʜᴀʀᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ᴅᴏᴡɴʟᴏᴀᴅ ⬇

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1. Sur (On, Upon): The preposition “sur” indicates that something is located on or upon something else.

2. Sous (Under, Beneath): “Sous” is used to express that something is located under or beneath another object.

3. Au Dessus (Above): “Au dessus” signifies that something is positioned above or over another object.

4. En Dessous (Below): “En dessous” denotes that something is located below or beneath something else.

5. Par Dessus (Over): “Par dessus” indicates movement over or across something.

6. Par Dessous (Underneath): “Par dessous” expresses movement or location underneath something.

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SUR On, upon, over	FOLLOWED BY  NOUN OR PRONOUN	LA POMME EST SUR LA TABLE. The apple is on the table.
DESSUS Above, over	NOT FOLLOWED BY NOUN OR PRONOUN	LA POMME EST DESSUS. The apple is on (it).
AU-DESSUS DE Above, over	FOLLOWED BY  NOUN OR PRONOUN	LE GRILLE-PAIN EST AU-DESSUS DU MICRO-ONDES. The toaster is above the microwave.
PAR-DESSUS Across, over	ACTION IS INVOLVED	IL A SAUTÉ PAR-DESSUS.  He jumped over (it).
PAR-DESSUS LE / LA / LES Across (the),  over (the)	ACTION IS INVOLVED  +  DEFINITE ARTICLE  +  NOUN	IL A SAUTÉ PAR-DESSUS  LA BARRIÈRE. He jumped over the fence.
SOUS Under, beneath	FOLLOWED BY  NOUN OR PRONOUN	LE CHIEN EST SOUS LA TABLE. The dog is under the table.
DESSOUS Below, underneath	NOT FOLLOWED BY NOUN OR PRONOUN	LA CHIEN EST DESSOUS. The dog is under (it).
EN-DESSOUS DE Below, underneath	FOLLOWED BY  NOUN OR PRONOUN	LE MICRO-ONDES EST EN-DESSOUS DU GRILLE-PAIN. The microwave is under the toaster.
PAR-DESSOUS Underneath, from	ACTION ISINVOLVED	L’EAU EST ENTRÉE PAR-DESSOUS. The water entered from underneath.
PAR-DESSOUS LE / LA / LES Underneath (the), from (the)	ACTION IS INVOLVED  +  DEFINITE ARTICLE  +  NOUN	L’EAU EST ENTRÉE PAR-DESSOUS LA PORTE. The water came in under the door.

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