Prepositions of place are words that show the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another object in terms of location. They answer the questions: "Where is it?" or "Where did it happen?" These prepositions are common in everyday conversation and writing.
Common Prepositions of Place
The most common prepositions of place include in, on, at, under, behind, in front of, next to (beside), between, and above/over. Each has a specific use for describing locations.
In, on, at
- in is used for enclosed spaces (in a box, in a room, in a city).
- on is used for surfaces (on the table, on the wall, on the floor).
- at is used for specific points or general locations (at the door, at the bus stop, at school).
Under, behind, in front of, next to
- under means below something (under the bed).
- behind means at the back of something (behind the house).
- in front of means opposite the front side (in front of the car).
- next to / beside means immediately beside something (next to the chair).
Between, above, over
- between means in the middle of two things (between the trees).
- above means higher than something (above the shelf).
- over means directly above, often with the idea of covering (over the head).
- Note: "above" and "over" can be similar, but "over" may imply movement or covering.
Which preposition means 'higher than something' without necessarily being directly above it?'
above
'Above' indicates a higher position but not necessarily directly over.
Examples for Common Usage
Here are some example sentences showing how these prepositions are used in context.
In / On / At
- The keys are in the drawer.
- There is a painting on the wall.
- I am waiting at the bus stop.
Translate into English: "Estoy esperando en la parada del autobús."
I am waiting at the bus stop.
'At' is used for specific points like bus stops.
Under / Behind / In Front of / Next to
- The cat is sleeping under the table.
- The garden is behind the house.
- She is standing in front of the mirror.
- The book is next to the laptop.
Between / Above / Over
- The park is between the school and the library.
- The clock hangs above the door.
- A ceiling fan is installed over the dining table.
Tips for Using Prepositions of Place
- Think about the physical relationship: inside, on a surface, at a point, above, below, beside, etc.
- Use at for specific points, in for enclosed spaces, and on for surfaces.
- Use context clues (e.g., "table" suggests on, "room" suggests in).
- Remember prepositions of place only show location, not time or direction (which use other prepositions).
- When describing people or objects, start with "The [thing/person] is..." or "[Thing/person] is located..."
Short Practice Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of place: in, on, at, under, behind, in front of, next to, between, above
- The shoes are _ the bed.
- She is sitting _ the chair.
- The picture is hanging _ the sofa.
- We met _ the coffee shop.
- The school is _ the bank and the post office.
- There is a lamp _ the desk.
- The dog is hiding _ the curtain.
- He is standing _ the building.
- The notes are _ the notebook.
- The vase is placed _ the table.
Bonus Section: Using Prepositions of Place with Common Nouns
Here are some common nouns and which prepositions of place are most naturally used with them.
Places
- in a room, at a door, on a wall, at a station, in a city
- Examples:
- She is in the kitchen.
- Meet me at the entrance.
- There is a poster on the wall.
Furniture and Objects
- on a table, under a bed, next to a chair, behind a desk
- Examples:
- Put the cup on the table.
- The box is under the bed.
- The lamp is next to the sofa.
People
- in front of someone, behind someone, next to someone, between two people
- Examples:
- She is standing in front of the teacher.
- I sat next to my friend.
- They stood between the guards.
Summary
Prepositions of place are simple words that help you describe where things and people are. Practice using them to talk about everyday situations more clearly and confidently.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
