Prepositions of Place: A Complete Guide

Prepositions of Place: A Complete Guide

Prepositions of place are essential in the English language, helping us describe the position or location of something or someone. These prepositions are used to explain where an action happens or where something is situated. Whether you’re giving directions, describing a location, or talking about spatial relationships, mastering prepositions of place is crucial.

What Are Prepositions of Place?

Prepositions of place refer to words that describe the location or position of an object in relation to something else. They show where something is or where something happens, helping to provide more details in a sentence. The most commonly used prepositions of place include in, on, at, between, under, above, and more.

Common Prepositions of Place

1. In

   • Used for enclosed spaces or general locations.

   • Example: The book is in the bag.

   • Example: She is in the room.

2. On

   • Used to describe a surface or a position on something.

   • Example: The cup is on the table.

   • Example: The picture is on the wall.

3. At

   • Used for specific locations or points.

   • Example: I am at the bus stop.

   • Example: We are meeting at the restaurant.

4. Between

   • Used to describe something in the middle of two things or places.

   • Example: The dog is sitting between the two chairs.

   • Example: The shop is between the bank and the post office.

5. Under

   • Used to describe something located beneath something else.

   • Example: The shoes are under the bed.

   • Example: The cat is hiding under the table.

6. Above

   • Used to describe something at a higher level or position than something else.

   • Example: The picture is above the fireplace.

   • Example: There is a lamp hanging above the table.

7. Behind

   • Used to describe something located at the back of something else.

   • Example: The car is parked behind the building.

   • Example: The children are playing behind the house.

8. Next to

   • Used to describe something located beside or very close to something else.

   • Example: The bank is next to the supermarket.

   • Example: I sat next to my friend during the movie.

Rules for Using Prepositions of Place

1. In is used for places that are enclosed or have boundaries (e.g., rooms, countries, cities, books, containers).

   • Example: I live in London.

   • Example: The keys are in the drawer.

2. On is used for surfaces or when something is resting on something else.

   • Example: The book is on the desk.

   • Example: She placed the cup on the table.

3. At is used for specific points or locations (e.g., addresses, events, or specific places like shops, restaurants).

   • Example: We are meeting at the airport.

   • Example: She is sitting at the corner of the street.

4. Between is used when something is in the middle of two objects or places.

   • Example: The cat is lying between the two chairs.

   • Example: There’s a park between my house and yours.

5. Under describes something below or beneath something else.

   • Example: The keys are under the pillow.

   • Example: The box is under the table.

6. Above refers to something at a higher position or level.

   • Example: The bird flew above the trees.

   • Example: The painting is above the sofa.

7. Behind describes something located at the back of something.

   • Example: The car is parked behind the building.

   • Example: He is standing behind the door.

8. Next to indicates something is beside or adjacent to something else.

   • Example: The coffee shop is next to the bookstore.

   • Example: She sat next to me on the bus.

Common Mistakes with Prepositions of Place

Mistake 1: Using "in" instead of "on" for surfaces

• Incorrect: The cup is in the table.

• Correct: The cup is on the table.

• Explanation: "On" is used to indicate a position on a surface, while "in" is used for enclosed spaces.

Mistake 2: Using "on" instead of "in" for enclosed spaces

• Incorrect: She is on the room.

• Correct: She is in the room.

• Explanation: Use "in" for locations that are enclosed or surrounded by boundaries.

Mistake 3: Confusing "at" with "on" for events or specific locations

• Incorrect: I will meet you on the airport.

• Correct: I will meet you at the airport.

• Explanation: "At" is used for specific places like airports, stations, or points, while "on" is used for surfaces.

Mistake 4: Using "under" for something located higher up

• Incorrect: The painting is under the ceiling.

• Correct: The painting is above the ceiling.

• Explanation: "Under" is used for things beneath something, while "above" is for things at a higher level.

4 Exercises on Prepositions of Place

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition:

   • The cat is sitting ______ the chair.

   • We met ______ the park yesterday.

   • The book is ______ the shelf.

   • The store is ______ the corner of the street.

2. Choose the correct preposition:

   • I placed the keys (in/on/at) the table.

   • He sat (between/under/behind) the two chairs.

   • The shop is (next to/in/on) the bank.

   • The car is parked (in/on/under) the garage.

3. Correct the mistakes in these sentences:

   • The painting is on the wall behind the couch.

   • I left my wallet under the bed in the room.

   • The dog is next to the sofa.

   • We sat at the park bench for hours.

4. Fill in the blanks with “in,” “on,” “at,” or “under”:

   • The children are playing ______ the tree.

   • There is a dog sleeping ______ the bed.

   • She is standing ______ the door.

   • The keys are ______ the drawer.