Leçon 99 · Étape 8: Adjectifs, adverbes et prépositions
Nom + préposition
IntermédiaireNoun + preposition
Forme et emploi
the reason for, a solution to, an increase in — noms avec une préposition fixe
1.La structure
Beaucoup de noms prennent une préposition fixe : nom + préposition + nom / -ing. La préposition après un nom est souvent différente de celle qui suit le verbe correspondant (qui peut même ne pas en avoir du tout), alors apprends le bloc entier.
What's the reason for the delay?
Quelle est la raison du retard ?
Nobody knows the answer to this question.
Personne ne connaît la réponse à cette question.
There has been a big increase in the number of tourists.
Il y a eu une forte hausse du nombre de touristes.
The storm did serious damage to many houses.
La tempête a causé de gros dégâts à de nombreuses maisons.
2.Noms + prépositions courants
| Préposition | Noms | Exemple |
|---|---|---|
| for | reason / demand / need / request / recipe / respect for | Do you have a recipe for pho? |
| of | cause / lack / advantage / disadvantage / example / photo of | A lack of sleep makes me tired. |
| in | increase / decrease / rise / fall / drop / change / interest in | There was a sharp drop in traffic. |
| to | answer / solution / key / reaction / invitation / damage / alternative / access to | Practice is the key to success. |
| with | problem / relationship / contact / trouble with | I have a problem with my phone. |
| on | effect / impact / influence / tax / advice on | Coffee has a strong effect on my sleep. |
| between | difference / relationship / connection between | What's the difference between these two words? |
| towards / to | attitude towards / to | Her attitude towards work has changed. |
There's no need for a taxi. I can walk.
Pas besoin de taxi. Je peux y aller à pied.
Thanks for the invitation to your wedding!
Merci pour l'invitation à ton mariage !
Mai has a good relationship with her mother.
Mai a une bonne relation avec sa mère.
What's the matter with your leg? Did you fall?
Qu'est-ce que tu as à la jambe ? Tu es tombé ?
3.Increase in ou increase of ? Reason ou cause ?
Avec les noms qui expriment un changement (increase, rise, fall, drop, decrease) :
- in + ce qui change : an increase in prices, a fall in sales.
- of + l'ampleur du changement (un chiffre) : an increase of 10%, a drop of 5,000 visitors.
- On peut utiliser les deux : a rise of 20% in the price of rice.
There was a 15% increase in rent this year.
Le loyer a augmenté de 15 % cette année.
Sales grew, with an increase of 10% in March.
Les ventes ont progressé, avec une hausse de 10 % en mars.
the cause of = ce qui a provoqué quelque chose ; the reason for = l'explication, le pourquoi.
Police are still looking for the cause of the fire.
La police cherche toujours la cause de l'incendie.
Is there a reason for this rule?
Il y a une raison à cette règle ?
4.Verbe ou nom
Compare : le verbe prend souvent son complément directement, alors que le nom correspondant a besoin d'une préposition.
| Verbe (sans préposition) | Nom + préposition |
|---|---|
| Prices increased. | an increase in prices |
| Please answer the question. | the answer to the question |
| We need more teachers. | a need for more teachers |
| They discussed the plan. | a discussion about the plan |
| The storm damaged the roof. | damage to the roof |
| Does coffee affect your sleep? | the effect of coffee on your sleep |
| Many people demand change. | a demand for change |
On est tenté de mettre of ou about après chaque nom, d'autant plus que le français dit souvent « de » (« la raison de », « la demande de »). En réalité : reason for, answer to, demand for — seul cause of prend of. Note aussi que affect est le verbe et effect le nom (effect on).
5.Erreurs fréquentes
Can you tell me the reason of your decision?Can you tell me the reason for your decision?
reason for.
The sun can do serious damage for your skin.The sun can do serious damage to your skin.
damage to.
I have a problem about my phone.I have a problem with my phone.
Quelque chose ne marche pas : problem with.
There is a big demand of English teachers here.There is a big demand for English teachers here.
demand for.
What's the answer of question 5?What's the answer to question 5?
answer to.
There has been an increase of the number of tourists.There has been an increase in the number of tourists.
of sert pour la quantité ; ce qui change prend in.
Exemples
- What's the reason for the delay?
- Nobody knows the answer to this question.
- Is there a big difference between the two schools?
- Thanks for the invitation to your wedding!
