How to use En, con and entre
The prepositions en, con and entre are used in a variety of ways in Spanish.
En
1. Express place or time.
– Estamos en la casa.
We are in the class.
– San Valentín se celebra en Febrero.
Valentine’s day is celebrated in February.
2. The way to do something.
– Ella habla en voz alta.
She speaks in a loud voice.
– Me gusta viajar en avión.
I like to travel by plane.
3. When using an instrument to complete an action.
– Nosotros llegamos en taxi al aeropuerto
We arrive in taxi to the airport.
– Tú vas en bicicleta al trabajo.
You go by bicycle to work.
Con
The Spanish word ‘con’ means ‘with’ in English. It is used to:
1. Express the manner in which an act is carried out.
– Debemos comer con un tenedor.
We should eat with a fork.
– El padre habla con mucha ternura.
The father speaks with a lot of tenderness.
– Cierra la ventana con llave.
Close the window with the key.
2. Express accompaniment.
– Dina sale con Daniel.
Dina leaves with Daniel.
– ¿Puedes estudiar con nosotros?
Can you study with us?
Entre
‘Entre’ means ‘between’ in English.
1. To express ‘in the middle of’ two or more people or things.
– Tu libro está entre mi ropa.
Your book is amongst my clothes.
– Entre Arsenal y Man United, Arsenal es mejor.
Between Arsenal and Man United, Arsenal is better.
2. To express time between one moment and another.
– Salgo del trabajo entre cinco y seis de la tarde.
I leave work between five and six in the afternoon.
– Nosotros llegamos entre siete y ocho de la noche.
We arrive between seven and eight in the evening.
To find out about the prepositions ‘por’ and ‘para’ click here.
To find out about the prepositions ‘a’ and ‘de’ click here.