A vs. DE - French prepositions

When should you use A vs. DE? How do these two French prepositions work?

AUDIO below, with Anne's French accent

The two prepositions À and DE are always tricky to use. Let's see how to use A vs. DE.

I believe you are safe to think that

À is AT, TO

and

DE is FROM and OF

• Je vais à Paris. ≠ Je viens de Paris.

I go/am going to Paris. ≠ I come/am coming from Paris.

• Il est à l’école. ≠ Il est membre de FE.

He’s at school. ≠ He’s a member of FE.

• Nous irons de Paris à Nice.

We’ll go from Paris to Nice.

However, there are subtleties. For instance, do you say "Le livre est difficile à/de lire."?

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Practice here

Related: C'EST vs. IL EST . French Prepositions of Place and Direction . French verbs and prepositions .

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