aleziwan

[indigo lichen]

Please be patient

Our volunteers look into many questions every day; sometimes it takes them a little while to answer.

Pro tip: you can rename the thread title with `.tr <thread name>`

Make it descriptive, including relevant context, but also to the point. This way you improve your chances of getting a more relevant and specific answer.

[reef meteor]

For the prepositions themselves, it depends on the verb preceding said preposition. Each verb requires a different preposition and you have to learn them by memorisation, unfortunately. Some examples:
« décider » requires « de »

J'ai décidé de l'aider.
« hésiter » requires « à »
J'ai hésité à l'aider.
« espérer » requires nothing
J'ai espéré l'aider

That being said, some general pointers. For « à / de » for « être », it depends on the focus. In the two sentences:
« Le gâteau est facile à apporter »
« C'est facile d'apporter le gâteau »
The difference here is focus which is also reflected in the structure. With « à » you're focusing on the object in question; the emphasis is on the cake being easy to carry. With « de », you're focusing on the trait in question; the emphasis is on the cake being easy to carry.
The structure changes as well since in the first, the object « le gâteau » is before the verb but after in the second sentence.

For « pour », it often carries the sense of, 'in order to + verb / for the purpose of + verb-ing' so if you want to express purpose, « pour » can be used.

[glad bolt]

I still dont understand

[reef meteor]

What don't you understand?

The « à/de » thing for « être » ?

[glad bolt]

How can I learn this

Is there a method

[reef meteor]

I just told you