In this chapter
Where are my keys? To answer, you need a small word like in, on or under: They're in your bag. These words are called prepositions of place. They go before a noun and tell us where something is.
Prepositions are short, but they are not always easy — languages divide space in different ways. English says on the bus but in the car, and at home but in the house. In this chapter you will learn the most common prepositions of place and the rules that decide between them.
Learning objectives
By the end of this chapter
- I can use in, on and under to say where things are.
- I can use next to, between, behind, in front of and opposite.
- I can choose in or on for surfaces, rooms, transport and places.
- I can use at for points and places like home, work and school.
In, on and under
The three most common prepositions of place are in , on and under . The preposition comes before the noun.
The pattern
Subject + be + preposition + noun
The cat is on the chair.
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in | inside something | The keys are in the drawer. |
| on | touching the top of a surface | The cat is on the chair. |
| under | below something | The ball is under the table. |
-
The cat ( subject ) is ( verb ) on ( preposition ) the chair. ( noun )
-
The keys ( subject ) are ( verb ) in ( preposition ) the drawer. ( noun )
-
The ball ( subject ) is ( verb ) under ( preposition ) the table. ( noun )
-
My phone is in my bag.
in = inside.
Quick checkThe milk is ___ the fridge.
Next to, between, behind, in front of, opposite
These prepositions describe where something is compared with something else — useful for giving directions and describing a street.
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| next to | beside | The shop is next to the bank. |
| between | in the middle of two things | The café is between the bank and the school. |
| behind | at the back of | The garden is behind the house. |
| in front of | at the front of | The bus stop is in front of the school. |
| opposite | facing, on the other side | The park is opposite the station. |
-
The shop ( subject ) is ( verb ) next to ( preposition ) the bank. ( noun )
-
The café ( subject ) is ( verb ) between ( preposition ) the bank and the school. ( noun )
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The car is behind the house.
behind = at the back.
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I sit in front of Tom in class.
in front of is three words.
Quick checkThe café is ___ the bank and the school.
In or on? Surfaces, rooms and transport
Use on for surfaces — a table, a wall, the floor — and for public transport. Use in for the inside of a space — a room, a box, a car, a city or a country.
| on | in |
|---|---|
| on the table | in the box |
| on the wall | in the room |
| on the floor | in the garden |
| on the bus / the train / a plane | in a car / a taxi |
| on the second floor | in London / in Spain |
-
The picture ( subject ) is ( verb ) on ( preposition ) the wall. ( noun )
A wall is a surface.
-
I'm on the bus.
Public transport: on.
-
She's in the car.
A car or a taxi: in.
-
They live in London.
Cities and countries: in.
Quick checkI am ___ the train.
At: a point, or a place for an activity
Use at for a point — at the door, at the bus stop — and for places where we do something: at home, at work, at school, at the cinema.
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She ( subject ) is ( verb ) at ( preposition ) home. ( noun )
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Wait for me at the bus stop.
A point.
-
My dad is at work.
A place for an activity.
-
There's someone at the door.
A point.
Quick checkPut the words in order.
Errors to avoid
These are the mistakes learners make most often with this grammar. Read the wrong sentence, then the right one, and notice the change.
-
Incorrect: I am in the bus.
Correct: I am on the bus.
Use on for public transport: bus, train, plane.
-
Incorrect: The picture is in the wall.
Correct: The picture is on the wall.
Use on for surfaces like walls and tables.
-
Incorrect: The bank is next the park.
Correct: The bank is next to the park.
It's next to — don't forget to.
-
Incorrect: She is in home.
Correct: She is at home.
Say at home, at work, at school.
Hear it in use
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then play one line at a time and say it after the speaker. The words in colour are this chapter’s grammar.
Conversation
Where are the keys?
Kate and Raj share a flat. They are late, and Kate can't find the car keys.
- Kate
Raj, have you got the car keys? I can't find them.
- Raj
No. Are they in your bag?
- Kate
No. I always put them on the table next to the door.
on a surface; next to = beside.
- Raj
Look under the table. Maybe they're on the floor.
under = below.
- Kate
No… Oh wait — is that my jacket behind the sofa?
- Raj
Yes! Check the pockets.
- Kate
Here they are — in my jacket pocket!
in = inside.
- Raj
Great. Now where's my phone? I think it's on the bus!
Public transport: on the bus.
- Kate
No, silly — it's in your hand!
- Raj
Ha! OK, let's go. The car is in front of the house.
in front of — three words.
What to remember
- 1 in = inside, on = on a surface, under = below.
- 2 next to = beside, between = in the middle of two, behind = at the back, in front of = at the front, opposite = facing.
- 3 Use on for walls, floors and public transport: on the wall, on the bus.
- 4 Use in for rooms, boxes, cars, cities and countries: in the car, in London.
- 5 Use at for a point or an activity place: at the door, at home, at work.
| Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| in | in the box |
| on | on the table |
| under | under the bed |
| next to | next to the bank |
| between | between the bank and the school |
| behind | behind the house |
| in front of | in front of the school |
| opposite | opposite the station |
| at | at the bus stop |
Test yourself
Knowledge check
22 questions on Prepositions of Place
One question at a time, with an explanation after every answer. Score 18 or more (80%) and the chapter is marked complete.