Welcome to Unit 1.6 of your English course! In this lesson, we will explore Prepositions of Place. These are essential words that help us describe where things are located. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to use prepositions of place confidently in your conversations.
What Are Prepositions of Place?
Prepositions of place are words that tell us where something or someone is located.
They are used to describe the position or location of objects, people, or places. Let’s dive into some common prepositions of place and how to use them.
Common Prepositions of Place
Here is a list of the most frequently used prepositions of place:
| Preposition | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| In | Inside a space or area | The book is in the box. |
| On | On the surface of something | The phone is on the table. |
| At | A specific point or location | She is at the door. |
| Under | Below or beneath something | The cat is under the chair. |
| Behind | At the back of something | The ball is behind the sofa. |
| In front of | Opposite of behind; ahead of something | The car is in front of the house. |
| Next to | Beside or adjacent to something | The clock is next to the window. |
| Between | In the middle of two things or people | The lamp is between the books. |
| Above | Higher than something, but not directly over | The picture is above the fireplace. |
| Below | Lower than something, but not directly under | The shoes are below the bed. |
How to Use Prepositions of Place
1. Describing Location
Prepositions of place help us answer the question “Where is it?”. For example:
- Where is the pen? It is on the desk.
- Where is the dog? It is under the table.
2. Differences Between Similar Prepositions
Sometimes, prepositions can seem similar, but they have distinct meanings. Here are some clarifications:
In vs. On:
- “In” refers to being inside a space (e.g., The keys are in the drawer.).
- “On” refers to being on the surface (e.g., The keys are on the table.).
Under vs. Below:
- “Under” means directly beneath something (e.g., The bag is under the chair.).
- “Below” means lower than something, but not necessarily directly beneath (e.g., The temperature is below zero.).
Practice Games
Key Takeaways
- Prepositions of place describe the location of objects, people, or places.
- Common prepositions include in, on, at, under, behind, next to, between, above, and below.
- Pay attention to the differences between similar prepositions (e.g., “in” vs. “on”).
- Practice using prepositions in sentences and real-life situations.