Practice
Prepositions of place: a guided English exercise
A mug can be on the table, a bag can be under the table, and a cat can be beside it. The objects may be close together, but each preposition gives a different picture.
Choose a preposition that shows where a person or thing is in relation to a place, surface, or another object.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
under the table /ˈʌn.də ðə ˈteɪ.bəl/
The short answer
Choose the preposition from the relationship you can see. Use in for an enclosed space, on for a surface, at for a point or meeting place, under for a lower position, and between or next to for positions in relation to other things.
The map is on the wall beside the door.
Why it works: On shows contact with the wall. Beside shows that the map is close to the door.
5 more examples
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The keys are in the small bowl.
The keys are within the bowl's sides.
Not this:The keys are
on the small bowl. What changes: This means the keys rest on the outside surface rather than within the bowl. -
There is a notebook on the desk.
The notebook touches the desk's top surface.
Not this:There is a notebook
under the desk. What changes: This changes the location: the notebook is below the desk. -
Meet me at the library entrance.
At identifies the agreed meeting point.
Not this:Meet me
in the library entrance. What changes: This can sound awkward because an entrance is usually treated as a point rather than an enclosed area. -
The pharmacy is between the bank and the bakery.
Between gives the pharmacy's position relative to two named places.
Not this:The pharmacy is
next to the bank. What changes: This says that the pharmacy is close to the bank, but it does not identify a second reference point. -
The dog is behind the garden gate.
Behind shows a position on the far side of the gate from the speaker's view.
Not this:The dog is
in front of the garden gate. What changes: This puts the dog on the near side of the gate instead.
Read the full guide
Do not try to translate every preposition word by word from another language. First picture the position. Is the thing within a space, touching a surface, at a particular point, lower than something else, or placed between two things? That question usually leads you to the right word.
Start with the picture
A preposition tells the listener how places relate to each other. Look for the object that acts as the reference point, then decide whether the other thing is within it, touching it, near it, or on one side of it.
The umbrella is by the front door.
By means near the door. The umbrella does not have to touch the door.
Use in for an enclosed space
Use in when something is within a room, container, vehicle, town, or other area with limits. The word does not need to suggest that the place is small.
Her phone is in her coat pocket.
We stayed in Bristol for two nights.
A pocket is a small enclosed space, while a city is a large area. In works for both relationships.
Which word fits a book within a backpack?
Use in: The book is in my backpack.
Use on for contact with a surface
Use on when an object touches a surface. The surface may be horizontal, vertical, or part of a device.
Your name is on the list.
A calendar hangs on the kitchen wall.
The name appears on the surface of the list. The calendar touches the wall's surface.
Which word describes a glass resting on a counter?
Use on: The glass is on the counter.
Use at for a point or activity place
Use at when you treat a place as a point on a journey, a meeting point, an address, or the location of an activity.
I will see you at the bus stop.
Maya is at work until five.
The bus stop is a named point. At work describes Maya's activity location, without focusing on the building.
Use under, between, and next to for relative position
Use under for something lower than another object. Use between when two named things mark the sides of a position. Use next to for a thing that is close beside another one.
The charger is under the sofa.
Sit between Noor and Daniel.
The lift is next to the stairs.
Under describes height, between needs two sides, and next to only describes nearby position.
Check the meaning of the whole phrase
Some places accept more than one preposition because the sentence looks at them differently. Choose the form that matches what the speaker wants to describe, then read the complete sentence once more.
The parents are waiting at the school gate.
At the school gate gives a meeting point. In the school would describe a position within the school building or grounds.
You are describing a poster touching a wall. Which preposition fits?
Use on: The poster is on the wall.
Before you go
Remember this
Picture the relationship before you choose. Use in for an enclosed place, on for a surface, at for a point, under for a lower position, between for two reference points, and next to for a nearby position.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Prepositions of place: a guided English exercise"
How do I choose between in and on?
Use in when something is within a space or container, such as in a drawer. Use on when it touches a surface, such as on a table.
The keys are in the small bowl.
Why do we say at the station?
At treats the station as a point or meeting place. Use in the station when you need to describe a position within the station building.
The keys are on the small bowl.
When should I use between?
Use between when you describe a position in relation to two clear people, objects, or places. For example, a shop may be between a bank and a café.
There is a notebook on the desk.
Is next to the same as near?
Both can show closeness. Next to usually suggests a more immediate side-by-side position, while near can describe a wider distance.
There is a notebook under the desk.
Can a place use more than one preposition?
Yes. The preposition changes with the meaning. At school can describe the activity or institution, while in the school describes a location within the building or grounds.
Meet me at the library entrance.
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