Prepositions of Place or Position
Look at the following picture.
Two mice are on a table. Between the mice is a bowl and in the bowl is a frog. A cat is under the table and there are two benches beside the table.
Prepositions of place or position are used to indicate the location or position of people, objects, or events.
Here are some rules and examples for using prepositions of place:
In:
"In" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate being inside an enclosed space.
- The cat is sleeping in the basket.
- She lives in the apartment on the 5th floor.
- The books are stored in the shelf.
On:
"On" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate being in contact with a surface.
- The cup is on the table.
- The painting hangs on the wall.
- The laptop is on my desk.
At:
"At" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate a specific point or location.
- Meet me at the park.
- We'll see you at the restaurant.
- The bus stop is at the corner.
By:
"By" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate being next to or beside something.
- Stand by me.
- The vase is by the window.
- I'll wait for you by the entrance.
Under:
"Under" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate being beneath or below something.
- The cat is hiding under the bed.
- The keys are under the pillow.
- The suitcase is under the table.
Above:
"Above" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate being at a higher position or level.
- The plane is flying above the clouds.
- Hang the picture above the fireplace.
- The sun is shining above the horizon.
Below:
"Below" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate being at a lower position or level.
- The treasure is buried below the surface.
- The temperature dropped below freezing.
- The answer is written below the question.
Between:
"Between" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate the position or location in the middle of two objects or places.
- Sit between John and Sarah.
- The car is parked between the two buildings.
- The book is between the two bookends.
Behind:
"Behind" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate being at the back or rear of something.
- The car is parked behind the house.
- She is standing behind the curtain.
- The playground is behind the school.
In front of:
"In front of" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate being located ahead or facing something.
- Please stand in front of the podium.
- The car stopped in front of the traffic light.
- The children were playing in front of the house.
Beside:
"Beside" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate being next to or alongside something.
- The tree is beside the river.
- I sat beside my friend at the concert.
- The pen is beside the notebook.
Near:
"Near" as a preposition of place or position is used to indicate being close to something.
- The store is near the mall.
- He lives near the train station.
- The hotel is near the beach.
These rules and examples provide a general understanding of prepositions of place or position. However, it's important to consider the specific context and usage patterns when selecting the appropriate preposition.