French prepositions play a crucial role in describing spatial relationships. In this lesson, we will explore six commonly used prepositions: SUR, SOUS, AU-DESSUS DE, EN-DESSOUS DE, PAR-DESSUS, and PAR-DESSOUS. You can download a free PDF of this lesson in my private French Grammar Library.
These prepositions help us convey precise details about position, movement, and orientation.
1. SUR (On, upon, over)
Meaning: Indicates that something is positioned on or upon another object. It can also imply being over an area or surface.
Usage: Always followed by a noun or pronoun.
Additional Notes:
SUR is often used to describe physical placement or attachment to a surface. For example, “sur la table” means directly on the table.
It can also be used metaphorically: “Il travaille sur un projet” (He is working on a project).
- Example:
- French: La pomme est sur la table.
- English: The apple is on the table.
2. DESSUS (Above, over)
Meaning: Indicates that something is above or on top but without repeating the noun. It refers back to a previously mentioned object.
Usage: Not followed by a noun or pronoun; used when the object is already understood from context.
Additional Notes:
Use dessus when you want to avoid redundancy. For instance, “La pomme est dessus” avoids repeating “sur la table.”
- Example:
- French: La pomme est dessus.
- English: The apple is on (it).
3. AU-DESSUS DE (Above, over)
Meaning: Indicates that something is higher than or above another object. Unlike dessus, this preposition introduces a new object.
Usage: Followed by a noun or pronoun.
Additional Notes:
Often used to describe relative positioning, such as one object being placed higher than another.
- Example:
- French: Le grille-pain est au-dessus du micro-ondes.
- English: The toaster is above the microwave.
4. PAR-DESSUS (Across, over)
Meaning: Indicates movement or action across or over something. It emphasizes the motion involved.
Usage: Can stand alone or be followed by a definite article and noun.
Additional Notes:
Use par-dessus to describe dynamic actions, such as jumping or throwing.
Adding an article and noun specifies what is being crossed or moved over.
Without a noun:
French: Il a sauté par-dessus.
English: He jumped over (it).
With a noun:
French: Il a sauté par-dessus la barrière.
English: He jumped over the fence.
5. SOUS (Under, beneath)
Meaning: Indicates that something is positioned below or underneath another object.
Usage: Always followed by a noun or pronoun.
Additional Notes:
Sous is used for direct, physical relationships between objects where one is beneath the other.
- Example:
- French: Le chien est sous la table.
- English: The dog is under the table.
6. DESSOUS (Below, underneath)
Meaning: Indicates something is under or below, but without repeating the noun. It refers back to a previously mentioned object.
Usage: Not followed by a noun or pronoun; used when the object is already understood from context.
Additional Notes:
Use dessous to avoid redundancy. For instance, “Le chien est dessous” avoids repeating “sous la table.”
- Example:
- French: Le chien est dessous.
- English: The dog is under (it).
7. EN-DESSOUS DE (Below, underneath)
Meaning: Indicates that something is positioned lower than or beneath another object. Similar to sous, but often used for relative positioning.
Usage: Followed by a noun or pronoun.
Additional Notes:
Use en-dessous de when emphasizing relative placement, such as layers or levels.
- Example:
- French: Le micro-ondes est en-dessous du grille-pain.
- English: The microwave is under the toaster.
8. PAR-DESSOUS (Underneath, from)
Meaning: Indicates movement or action coming from beneath something. It emphasizes the motion involved.
Usage: Can stand alone or be followed by a definite article and noun.
Without a noun:
French: L’eau est entrée par-dessous.
English: The water entered from underneath.
With a noun:
French: L’eau est entrée par-dessous la porte.
English: The water came in under the door.
Additional Notes:
Par-dessous highlights the motion or direction involved in the action.
| 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 ISINVOLVED | IL A SAUTÉPAR-DESSUS. He jumped over (it). |
| PAR-DESSUSLE / LA / LES Across (the), over (the) | ACTION ISINVOLVED + DEFINITE ARTICLE + NOUN | IL A SAUTÉPAR-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 | LE 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 ENTRÉEPAR-DESSOUS. The water entered from underneath. |
| PAR-DESSOUSLE / LA / LES Underneath (the), from (the) | ACTION ISINVOLVED + DEFINITE ARTICLE + NOUN | L’EAU EST ENTRÉEPAR-DESSOUSLA PORTE. The water came in under the door. |
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