Grammar
Prepositions of place: describe position clearly in English
A phone can be on a table, in a bag, under a chair, or next to a notebook. The object is the same, but each preposition gives the reader a different picture.
Choose a common preposition of place by describing where one person or thing is in relation to another.
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
in front of the door /ɪn ˈfrʌnt əv ðə dɔː/
The short answer
Use in for something inside an area or container, on for a surface, under for a lower position, above for a higher position, behind or in front of for direction, between for a position in the middle of two things, and next to for a position very close beside something.
The keys are in the small drawer beside the desk.
Why it works: In shows that the keys are inside the drawer.
5 more examples
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The cat is under the kitchen table during lunch.
Under places the cat lower than the table.
Not this:The cat is
on the kitchen tableafter everyone leaves. What changes: On changes the picture: the cat is now touching the table's upper surface. -
A blue coat hangs behind the bedroom door.
Behind places the coat on the far side of the door from the viewer.
Not this:A blue coat hangs
in front of the bedroom door. What changes: In front of places the coat on the side facing the viewer or blocking the way. -
The bakery is between the bank and the post office.
Between identifies a position in the middle of two named places.
Not this:The bakery is
next to the bank. What changes: Next to means directly beside one place; it does not name a middle position. -
There is a clock above the classroom door.
Above places the clock higher than the door without saying that it touches the wall area directly over it.
Not this:There is a notice
on the classroom door. What changes: On shows contact with the door's surface. -
Nadia left her umbrella near the entrance.
Near means close to the entrance, but the exact distance is not specified.
Not this:Nadia left her umbrella
at the entrance. What changes: At treats the entrance as the particular point where the umbrella was left.
Read the full guide
Do not choose a place preposition from a single translated word. Look at the scene. Is the thing inside something, touching its surface, lower than it, higher than it, or beside it? A clear picture makes the choice easier.
Picture the relationship
Place prepositions answer the question Where is it? First choose the object you want to describe. Then find the reference point around it. In The cup is on the shelf, the cup is the object and the shelf is the reference point. On tells us that the cup touches the shelf's surface.
The bicycle is beside the garden gate.
Beside and next to both describe a close side position. Near only says that the bicycle is close, not necessarily directly at the gate's side.
A pen is enclosed by a pencil case. Which word describes its position?
Use in: The pen is in the pencil case.
Use in, on, and at for different kinds of place
Use in when something is inside a container, room, town, or other area. Use on when it touches a surface. Use at when a place is treated as a point, especially for meetings, addresses, or familiar locations.
The children are in the playground.
Their bags are on the bench.
In the playground puts the children inside that area. On the bench puts the bags in contact with a surface.
Compare We will meet at the library with We will study in the library. The first sentence uses the library as a meeting point. The second describes being inside the building.
Show a higher or lower position
Use under or below when something is lower than another thing. Use above when it is higher. Under often suggests that the lower thing is directly beneath the reference point. Above only needs a higher position.
The suitcase is under the bed.
A small lamp is above the mirror.
The suitcase is lower than the bed, while the lamp is higher than the mirror. Neither sentence says that the two things touch.
A bird is higher than a tree branch. Which word can describe this position?
Use above: The bird is above the branch.
Use direction words for a view from one side
Behind and in front of describe position from a viewpoint. If a car is in front of a house, it is on the side you see first when you face the house. If it is behind the house, the house is between the car and the viewer.
The queue starts in front of the ticket office.
The delivery van is behind the ticket office.
In front of puts the queue on the facing side. Behind puts the van on the other side of the building.
Keep in front of together. It is a prepositional phrase, so do not shorten it to in front when you need to name the reference point.
Separate between, next to, and near
Use between when something has a middle position in relation to two people or things. Use next to for a close side position. Use near for a general close distance when the exact position does not matter.
Your seat is between Omar and Leila.
Between needs two reference points: Omar and Leila. Next to would describe a place beside only one of them.
There is a cash machine near the supermarket.
Near is useful when you can give a helpful location without claiming a precise side or exact distance.
A café has one shop on its left and another on its right. Which word describes the café's position?
Use between: The café is between the two shops.
Before you go
Remember this
Start with the picture. Use in for inside, on for a surface, under for lower, above for higher, behind and in front of for direction, between for the middle of two things, and next to for a close side position. Let the relationship choose the preposition.
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: describe position clearly in English"
What are prepositions of place in English?
Prepositions of place show where a person or thing is in relation to another place or object. Common forms include in, on, under, above, behind, in front of, between, and next to. For example, the keys are in a drawer, while a notice can be on a door.
The cat is under the kitchen table during lunch.
What is the difference between in and on?
Use in when something is inside a container, room, or area. Use on when it touches a surface. The cat is under the kitchen table describes a lower position, while the cat is on the kitchen table means that it touches the table's upper surface.
The cat is on the kitchen table after everyone leaves.
When do I use at and in for a place?
Use at when you treat a place as a point, often for a meeting or location. Use in when you mean inside a building or area. You can meet someone at the library, then spend an afternoon in the library reading or studying.
A blue coat hangs behind the bedroom door.
What is the difference between between and next to?
Between describes a middle position in relation to two things. Next to describes a close side position beside one thing. A bakery can be between a bank and a post office, while another shop can be next to the bank.
A blue coat hangs in front of the bedroom door.
Do above and over mean the same thing?
Both can describe a higher position. Above is useful when you only mean higher than something else, as with a clock above a classroom door. Over can also suggest covering, crossing, or being directly higher than something, so the surrounding sentence decides which form fits.
The bakery is between the bank and the post office.
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