Sur v dans

Stewart H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Sur v dans

In the exercise we hear: Nous allions sur les Champs-Élysées.

BUT in the lesson it states:-

In the following cases, you cannot use sur (on) in French, but you will instead use dans (in). Street Ils marchent dans la rue.

In the case of the street, we see the whole environment as 'the street' and you're situated in it.

It seems that avenue is treated differently to street, is there a reason for this?

Asked 11 months ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Stewart, 

This is the answer to a similar question very well answered by Alan :

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/questions/view/je-m-baladais-sur-l-avenue

I will also ask for a note to be added to the lesson on prepositions.

Hope this helps!

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Cécile, there is a note in the attached lesson but it is misleading as it is presented as specific to ‘se promener’, and is otherwise out of place in a lesson discussing ‘en’ or ‘dans’ with habiter, vivre and être.

 En vs Dans with locations (French Prepositions of Location)

CélineNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Bonjour à tous,

We took a look at both lessons (En vs Dans with locations (French Prepositions of Location) - Differences between French and English usages - Using "dans" with streets and means of transportation (French Prepositions of Location)) and we moved it (and changed it slightly) to the correct lesson as per Maarten's suggestion. 

We hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Stewart H. asked:

Sur v dans

In the exercise we hear: Nous allions sur les Champs-Élysées.

BUT in the lesson it states:-

In the following cases, you cannot use sur (on) in French, but you will instead use dans (in). Street Ils marchent dans la rue.

In the case of the street, we see the whole environment as 'the street' and you're situated in it.

It seems that avenue is treated differently to street, is there a reason for this?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...