Prepositions of Place helps you communicate about spatial position and location. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can locate people and things using common prepositions of place.
- Recognise and build the form: in/on/at/under/above/between/next to/in front of/behind + noun.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Prepositions of Place for spatial position and location. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
The keys are on the table.
Use 'on' when something touches a surface.
The children are playing in the garden.
Use 'in' for an enclosed or defined area.
Meet me at the entrance.
Use 'at' for a specific point or meeting place.
in/on/at/under/above/between/next to/in front of/behind + nounKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use 'on' when something touches a surface.
- Use 'in' for an enclosed or defined area.
- Use 'at' for a specific point or meeting place.
- 'Under' means lower than and often covered by something.
- Use 'between' for a position separating two named places.
Common mistakes
Not:The keys are in the table.
Use:The keys are on the table.
Use 'on' when something touches a surface.
Not:The children are playing on the garden.
Use:The children are playing in the garden.
Use 'in' for an enclosed or defined area.
Not:Meet me in the entrance.
Use:Meet me at the entrance.
Use 'at' for a specific point or meeting place.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
The cat is hiding ____ the bed.
under
'Under' means lower than and often covered by something.
The pharmacy is ____ the bank and the café.
between
Use 'between' for a position separating two named places.
My desk is ____ the window.
next to
'Next to' means immediately beside something.