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GRAMMAR LESSON

Prepositions of Place

Beginner

Prepositions

UNDERSTAND THE PATTERN

The rule in plain English

Choose a preposition for the position you mean: in for inside, on for contact with a surface, under for a lower position, beside for next to, and behind for at the back. Context or a picture is needed when several positions are possible.

SEE HOW IT WORKS

Examples in context

  1. The cat is on the tabletop, resting on its surface.
  2. The keys are inside the drawer: they are in it.
  3. She sat beside me, in the next seat.

MAKE IT STICK

Put the rule into practice

Try 3 questions. Read the explanation after each answer, then review any mistakes and try again.

Make it yours

Write one sentence about your life using this grammar.

Check your sentence

Choose a preposition for the position you mean: in for inside, on for contact with a surface, under for a lower position, beside for next to, and behind for at the back. Context or a picture is needed when several positions are possible.

Compare: The cat is on the tabletop, resting on its surface.

Check the sentence structure and whether your meaning fits the rule.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

Your quiz score is for this attempt only. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.

GO DEEPER

Explore the full explanation

Describe the position you mean

Prepositions of place help a listener locate something. The right choice depends on the actual scene. Without a picture or description, The cat is ___ the box has many possible answers.

  • In: The key is in the drawer. It is inside.
  • On: The book is on the tabletop. It rests on the surface.
  • Under: The shoes are under the bed.
  • Beside / next to: Arun sits beside me, in the next seat.
  • Behind: The garden is behind the house.
  • In front of: The bicycle is in front of the gate. Include of.

Between and among

Between often locates something relative to two distinct things: The lamp is between the chairs. It can also describe relationships involving more than two distinct participants: There is an agreement between the three schools. Do not teach between as limited to exactly two.

Among often presents someone or something as part of, or surrounded by, a group: The cottage is hidden among the trees.

Other useful relationships

  • Above / below: The clock is above the shelf.
  • Opposite / across from: The café is opposite the library.
  • Near: The park is near the station.
  • At: A visitor is waiting at the door.
  • To the left of: The sink is to the left of the cooker.

Use in for living in a city: She lives in Mumbai. Say behind me, not behind of me. A key hanging on a hook attached to a wall is on the wall; something embedded inside a wall can be in the wall. Context matters.

Quick self-check

  1. The cat is inside a closed box. Choose in/on: The cat is ___ the box.
  2. The keys rest on the upper surface of the desk. Choose on/under: The keys are ___ the desk.
  3. Correct: She is sitting behind of me.
Check the answers

1. In, because the cat is inside. 2. On, because the keys rest on the surface. 3. She is sitting behind me. Behind takes its object without of.

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