French features a significant number of fixed combinations when it comes to prepositions. We are here to help you get started.
You are likely already aware that verbs can have fixed prepositions. After all, we have them in Dutch as well. They also occur in French. Below, we have listed a few (though the list is much longer).
- donner à (to give to)
- parler à (to speak to/with)
- rendre à (to give back to)
- dire à (to say to / tell)
- montrer à (to show to)
- écrire à (to write to)
- attendre de (to expect from)
- demander de (to ask to)
- (se) féliciter de (to congratulate (oneself) on)
- oublier de (to forget to)
In addition to verbs with fixed prepositions, there are also expressions with fixed prepositions. Below you will find several examples, though the list is more extensive.
- à cause de (because of)
- afin de (in order to)
- à l’abri de (sheltered from)
- à force de (by dint of)
- à exception de (with the exception of)
- à l’insu de (without the knowledge of)
- à moins de (unless)
