English grammar: Prepositions of place

What this grammar point covers

Prepositions of place are words we use in English to show where something or someone is.

When to use it

Use prepositions of place to talk about where people, animals, or things are. For example, to say where your bag is, or where a person is standing.

Key forms

• 'in' (The cat is in the box.)
• 'on' (The book is on the table.)
• 'under' (The ball is under the chair.)
• 'next to' (The lamp is next to the bed.)
• 'between' (The bank is between the school and the park.)
• 'behind' (The dog is behind the door.)
• 'in front of' (The car is in front of the house.)

Examples

Tips

• Use 'in' for inside something (in the room, in the bag).
• Use 'on' for surfaces (on the table, on the wall).
• Use 'under' for below something (under the chair).

Exceptions and edge cases

• Sometimes, 'on' is used for transport (on the bus, on the train), not just for surfaces.
• Some buildings use 'in' (in the hospital), but sometimes 'at' is also possible (at the hospital).