Even if you know all the French prepositions, it can still be quite difficult to use them correctly. Here, we will help you on your way.

In front of, behind, between, in, through… When a preposition only indicates a place, it is straightforward in French. However, prepositions are also used to indicate direction or origin, for example. And they are used for time, duration, cause, manner, material, and relationships. Below you will find the most commonly used prepositions with their various meanings.

de – Used for possession, origin, material, content, or price. Meanings: of, from, out of, since, during, with, on, according to, by, about.
> On parle rarement de politique. (We rarely talk about politics)
> Ce livre est de Marie. (This book belongs to Marie)
> Jean vient de France. (Jean comes from France)
> Camille boit une tasse de thé. (Camille is drinking a cup of tea)

à – To express place, time, possession, content, or price. Meanings: of, in, at, to, for, with, until.
> Demain, je vais à Paris. (Tomorrow, I am going to Paris)
> Elle s’adresse à moi. (She is addressing me)

avec – Used to indicate company, means, or manner. Meaning: with.
> Louise est venue avec une ami. (Louise came with a friend)
> Je coupe ma tartine avec un couteau. (I am cutting my sandwich with a knife)
> Ils regardent l’auteur avec admiration. (They look at the author with admiration)

dans – Used to indicate place or time. Meanings: in, within, inside, amidst, at, during, with, in (time).
> C’est dans ma chambre. (It is in my room)
> Tu viendras dans une week. (You will come in a week)
> Je marche dans la rue. (I am walking in the street)

en – Used for place, duration, material, means, manner, time, locations, and geographical names, but not for names of cities. Meanings: in, at, during, by. Similar to how ‘dans’ is used, but in a more abstract sense. Usually, no article follows ‘en’.
> Elle vit en France, en Normandie. (She lives in France, in Normandy)
> Il part en avion, mais elle voyage en train. (He is going by plane, but she is traveling by train.)
> Alex m’a donné un bracelet en or. (Alex gave me a gold bracelet)

sur – To indicate a place on a surface, estimated age, or subject matter. Meanings: on, on top of, against, at, to, about, concerning, regarding, around, almost, per, by, of
> Les clés sont sur le bureau. (The keys are on the desk)
> Ce livre sur la nature. (That book about nature)
> Je prends mille euros sur ton salaire. (I am taking a thousand euros from your salary.)
> Une chambre de 5 mètres sur 3. (A room measuring 5 by 3 meters)

For the internet, you also use ‘sur’: Je l’ai vu sur Wikipédia. (I saw it on Wikipedia)

par – Used for manner, means, or distribution. Meanings: by, by means of, with, over, per, past, via, at, in, on.
> Par un temps pareil il ne faut pas conduire. (In weather like this, you should not be on the road)
> Charlie regarde par la fenêtre. (Charlie is looking through the window)
> Je t’envoie un paquet par la poste. (I am sending you a package by post)

pour – Used for destination, purpose, duration, or price. Meaning: for.
> Cette lettre est pour lui. (This letter is for him)
> Ils partent pour plusieurs jours. (They are leaving for several days)
> Je n’y suis pour rien. (I have nothing to do with it)