Question about the use of "dans le" with country names.

Boschmann J.B1Kwiziq community member

Question about the use of "dans le" with country names.

I was always taught (from textbooks, profs, etc) to use "en" with French countries/states/provinces that end in -e or start with a vowel sound and are singular. "Aux" with plural names, and au for the rest--with the exception of Mexique which uses "au" though it ends in -e. Oh, and à with cities. 

Is this "dans le" thing a change in how the language is done or a regional peculiarity or what?

Asked 5 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Boschmann,

After re-reading your question you are correct about the use of en/au/aux for French countries and regions but for English counties and regions you will use -

dans le

If you read the Q&A section at the bottom of this lesson, you will see quite a polemic on this topic.

Hope this helps!

 

Valerie T.A2Kwiziq community member

Hi! I have the same question. I was taught the same thing, but in this lesson it seems that "dans le" is the more common form... Is that the case? Or are the en/aux/au usages more common? 

Question about the use of "dans le" with country names.

I was always taught (from textbooks, profs, etc) to use "en" with French countries/states/provinces that end in -e or start with a vowel sound and are singular. "Aux" with plural names, and au for the rest--with the exception of Mexique which uses "au" though it ends in -e. Oh, and à with cities. 

Is this "dans le" thing a change in how the language is done or a regional peculiarity or what?

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