Doubt in the phrases

Question

Bonjour Madame Cécile,In the lesson, there are two sentences as-“Je suis en classe.” And “Je suis dans la classe.” I am unable to understand the difference in both of them as how the first is a general statement and the second is for a specific location . Please expain the reason in a little detail. I will be really grateful.Merci d’avance.(Madame, I have gone through the discussions but am still perplexed.)

Accepted Answer

Hi Varsha,
I  will try and explain and hope you get it . It is very subtle but the difference in French between the two sentences is in the meaning.
‘Je suis en classe / en cours de danse’ means that you are in a dance lesson, stressing the activity.
‘Je suis dans la classe’ states where you are situated (in the classroom) not in the in the school yard for instance.
‘Je suis en prison’ puts the emphasis on the fact you are ‘incarcerated’  and not maybe visiting someone in prison.
In a business setting if you said, 
‘Je suis en réunion/ en conférence’.  It means you are in a meeting.
Hope his helps!

Answer

Je suis en classe. -- A student would say this when he is at school in general, attending classes.Je suis dans la classe. -- This means that you are in the classroom.

Answer

Merci

Answer

Merci Madame Cécile. That was a very lucid explanation and as per your expectations , I have got it right.

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The explanation is good, and maybe should be more explicitly explained in the lesson itself.

Nevertheless, in the question "Je suis ________ cours de danse. Je te rappelle." both "dans le" and "en" are valid answers. Perhaps the "dans le" option should be removed?