Linking words - part 1 (with audio)

Written by Camille Chevalier-Karfis Tuesday, 12 January 2010 00:00

Linking words often make THE difference in language fluency. Here is a list of 10 linking words with exemple and audio recording.

Right-click & select 'Save As' to download MP3 file

1 - à (to, at, in + city).
Je parle à Paul. (I am speaking toPaul).
Je travaille à trois heures. (I work at 3).
Je travaille à Paris. (in + city) (I work in Paris).
(à + le = au, à + les = aux).

2 - de (from, of, about).
Je rentre de Paris. (I am coming back from Paris).
Un kilo de bananes. (One kilo of banana).
Je parle de Paul. (I am talking about Paul).
(de + le = du, de + les = des).
(de also takes élision and becomes d' in front of a vowel or an h).

3 - chez (at/to someone's place).
Je suis chez Anne. (I am at Ann's place).
Note ; Je vais chez moi =I'm going home.

4 - en (in, by).
Elle travaille en France (in+feminine country) (I work in France).
Nous sommes en juin.(en + month) (we're inJune).
Nous sommes en 2007 (en + year) (we're in 2007).
Elle voyage en voiture (en + transportation inside which you are) (She is travelling by car).

5 - sur ≠ sous (on ≠ under).
Le livre est sur la table. (the book is on the table).
Non, il est sous la table. (no, it's under the table).

6 - au dessus de ≠ en dessous de (above ≠ under - without touching the object)
Au dessus du sofa, il y a un tableau. (above the sofa, there is a painting).
En dessous du sofa, il y a une balle. (under the sofa, there is a ball).

7 - dessus ≠ dessous (above/over/on top ≠ underneath - at the end of a sentence).
Le coussin va dessus, et la balle dessous. (the cushion goes on top, and the ball underneath).

8 - dans (inside, in, within).
Le livre est dans la table. (the book is inside the table).
le film est dans trois heures (the movie is in 3 hours).
j'arrive dans deux minutes (I'll be here within 2 minutes).

9 - dedans ≠ dehors (in,inside ≠ out, outside at the end of a sentence).
Le chien est dans l'appartement ? (Is the dog in the apartment ?).
Oui, il est dedans. (yes, he's inside).
Non, il est dehors. (No, he's outside).

10 - devant ≠ derrière. (in front of ≠ behind).
Devant la maison, il y a un jardin. (in front of the house, there's a garden).
Derrière la maison, il y a une piscine. (behind the house, there is a swimming-pool).

Written by Camille Chevalier-Karfis

I am the founder of FrenchToday.com. My unique teaching method has been written about in The Boston Globe, This City Paris, Le Journal Français... I’ve published 2 intermediate audiobooks, and I’m the voice behind the 64+ hours of audio of this site. After 16 years in the US, my family and I recently took a leap of faith and moved back to France!!
I’m passionate about my work, and thanks to today’s technology, I am still teaching French over the phone and Skype to French learners all over the world, with excellent results. Contact me to learn more.