The expressions à l’avance and en avance indicate that something is done before the scheduled time. They are similar in meaning but used differently. This card helps you tell them apart clearly.
1. À l’avance: doing or preparing something before the scheduled time
À l’avance is used when something is done or prepared earlier than necessary.
- Je réserve l’hôtel à l’avance. (I book the hotel in advance.)
- Merci de payer à l’avance. (Please pay in advance.)
- Ils ont acheté les billets à l’avance. (They bought the tickets ahead of time.)
2. En avance: arriving or being somewhere early
En avance is used when someone or something arrives or is present earlier than expected or scheduled.
- Je suis en avance pour le rendez-vous. (I’m early for the appointment.)
- Le train est en avance. (The train is early.)
- Elle arrive toujours en avance. (She always arrives early.)
3. Summary
- À l’avance = doing or preparing something early → Je prépare mon sac à l’avance. (I pack my bag in advance.)
- En avance = being early → Je suis en avance à l’école. (I’m early at school.)