What Are Prepositions of Place?
Prepositions of place tell us WHERE something is located. They show the position of a person, animal, or object in space. We use them every day to describe rooms, buildings, and outdoor areas. Learning these prepositions helps you understand directions and describe your environment clearly.
Common Prepositions of Place
The most useful prepositions of place are: IN (inside a space), ON (touching a surface), UNDER (below something), BETWEEN (in the middle of two things), NEXT TO (beside), IN FRONT OF (facing), BEHIND (at the back), ABOVE (higher than), BELOW (lower than), and NEAR (close to). These words help you describe exactly where things are in a room or building.
Using Prepositions in a Room Scene
Imagine a living room: a sofa is AGAINST the wall, a lamp is ON the table, books are UNDER the chair, and a picture is ABOVE the sofa. A cushion is BETWEEN two pillows, and a plant is NEXT TO the window. By using these prepositions together, you can paint a complete picture of any space. This vocabulary is essential for home descriptions, giving directions, and everyday conversation.
All 20 Prepositions of Place — Quick Reference
| # | Preposition | Core Meaning | Room-Scene Example | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | in | Inside an enclosed space | The cat is in the box. | Used for rooms, containers, and areas |
| 2 | on | On a surface | The book is on the table. | Also used for floors, walls, and shelves |
| 3 | at | A specific point or position | She is sitting at the desk. | Focuses on a location as a point, not an area |
| 4 | under | Directly below something | The shoes are under the bed. | Often implies contact or close proximity below |
| 5 | above | Higher than, but not touching | The clock is above the fireplace. | No direct contact; compare with over |
| 6 | over | Directly above, covering or arching | A lamp hangs over the dining table. | Can suggest covering; also used for movement |
| 7 | below | Lower than, but not touching | The vent is below the window. | Opposite of above; general lower position |
| 8 | next to | Immediately beside something | The lamp is next to the sofa. | Interchangeable with beside in most contexts |
| 9 | beside | At the side of something | The chair stands beside the window. | Slightly more formal than next to |
| 10 | between | In the middle of two things | The plant is between the two windows. | Used with exactly two reference points |
| 11 | among | Surrounded by three or more things | The remote is hidden among the cushions. | Used with groups, not just two items |
| 12 | in front of | Facing the front side of something | The rug is in front of the sofa. | Opposite of behind |
| 13 | behind | At the back of something | The door is behind the curtain. | Opposite of in front of |
| 14 | opposite | Directly across from something | The mirror hangs opposite the entrance. | Suggests facing each other across a space |
| 15 | near | Close to but not immediately touching | The bookcase is near the corner. | Less precise than next to; indicates proximity |
| 16 | against | Touching or leaning on a surface | The sofa is against the wall. | Implies physical contact or support |
| 17 | along | Following the length or edge of something | Pictures hang along the corridor. | Used for movement or arrangement in a line |
| 18 | around | Encircling or on all sides of something | Chairs are arranged around the table. | Suggests a circular or surrounding position |
| 19 | through | Passing within or across something | Light shines through the window. | Often indicates movement or visibility across an opening |
| 20 | across | From one side to the other | The rug stretches across the floor. | Can indicate position spanning or movement covering distance |
Formula
✔ Positive
Subject
+
is/are
+
preposition of place
+
object
The book is on the shelf.
✖ Negative
Subject
+
is/are not
+
preposition of place
+
object
The cat is not under the bed.
? Question
Where
+
is/are
+
subject
+
?
Where is the remote control?
Examples
The cat is on the table.
Everyday usage · Position on a surface
My keys are under the sofa.
Everyday usage · Position below
There is a lamp between the two chairs.
Room description · Two objects
The picture is above the door.
Room description · Higher position
She stood in front of the mirror.
Daily actions · Facing direction
The garden is behind the house.
Outdoor description · Back position
When to use it
Describing Your Home
Use prepositions of place to describe where furniture and objects are in your home. This helps visitors understand your living space.
"The sofa is against the wall, and the TV is above it."
Giving Directions
Tell someone where to find a place or object using these prepositions. It makes directions clear and easy to follow.
"The bathroom is next to the kitchen, behind the living room."
Finding Lost Items
Describe where you lost something or where to look for it in your home or office.
"My phone is somewhere between the cushions on the sofa."
Office or School
Explain the location of rooms, desks, and equipment in shared spaces.
"The office supplies are in the cabinet near the entrance."
Signal words
in
on
under
above
below
between
next to
beside
in front of
behind
near
inside
outside
against
around
among
beneath
opposite
along
across
Common Mistakes
✕
Wrong
The book is in the table.
✓
Correct
The book is on the table.
Use ON for objects resting on a surface; IN is for inside a space.
✕
Wrong
He sit on the chair.
✓
Correct
He is sitting on the chair.
Use the verb form 'is sitting' or 'sits' (present simple), not 'sit' alone.
✕
Wrong
The picture is among the wall.
✓
Correct
The picture is on the wall.
Use ON for things attached to walls; AMONG is for things surrounded by many.
✕
Wrong
She is next the window.
✓
Correct
She is next to the window.
The correct phrase is NEXT TO (two words), not NEXT alone.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
What to Remember
- Prepositions of place describe WHERE something is located in space (in, on, under, between, next to).
- Use IN for spaces inside something and ON for objects touching a surface.
- Use UNDER for below, BETWEEN for middle of two things, and NEXT TO for beside.
- Use IN FRONT OF for facing and BEHIND for at the back of something.
- Practice with room descriptions to master these 20 prepositions and use them naturally.