Prepositions of place are words that describe the location or position of a person, object, or thing in relation to another. They help us understand where something is situated in space.
- Common prepositions of place: in, on, at, under, above, below, next to, between, behind, in front of.
- They show spatial relationships and are essential for giving clear directions and descriptions.
Common prepositions of place include in, on, at, under, next to, and between.
Prepositions of place show the location or position of something.
Common Prepositions of Place
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in | inside | The keys are in the drawer. |
| on | touching a surface | The book is on the table. |
| at | specific point/location | She is waiting at the door. |
| under | below | The cat is under the chair. |
| above | higher than (not touching) | The painting hangs above the sofa. |
| below | lower than | The temperature is below zero. |
| next to/beside | adjacent/alongside | He sits next to me. |
| between | in the middle of two things | The café is between the bank and the post office. |
| behind | at the back of | The garden is behind the house. |
| in front of | ahead/visible from front | Park your car in front of the building. |
'next to' and 'beside' are used for things that are adjacent.
Use 'between' for something in the middle of two objects.
Using Prepositions of Place: Examples
- In: There are three apples in the bowl.
- On: Your coat is on the chair.
- At: We’ll meet at the bus stop.
- Under: Look under the bed for your shoes.
- Above: The clock is hanging above the door.
- Below: Your name is below mine on the list.
- Next to: She lives next to the pharmacy.
- Between: The statue stands between the two fountains.
- Behind: I parked behind the supermarket.
- In front of: The teacher is standing in front of the class.
Correct uses are 'The picture is above the sofa,' 'He sat between his friends,' and 'Put the dishes on the table.'
Yes, 'under' correctly shows the place of the shoes.
Prepositions of Place + Directions
Prepositions of place are often used when giving directions to show where things are located:
- The bank is next to the supermarket.
- Turn left at the traffic light.
- The restroom is behind the café.
'Next to' is commonly used to describe locations in directions.
Yes, this is a correct and clear use of a preposition of place in giving directions.
Conclusion
Prepositions of place are essential for describing where things are in relation to each other, making communication about location clear and precise.
- They include common words like in, on, at, under, next to, and between.
- Mastering their use helps in everyday conversation, directions, and descriptions.