Prepositions of Place: Meaning, Usage, and Common Mistakes

The three most common place prepositions are at, in, and on. Here’s how they differ:

Prepositions of place are short words, such as at, in, on, below, and above. You often see them in various texts, going alongside nouns (on the bench, at the party, in the room) and pronouns (on me, at it, in them). Their role is to map the location of something or someone. These words are very functional, and you will see it in the example below.

Such a detailed position narrows the perimeter of the item’s placement and provides clarity, so you know for sure, from the instance, that you need to look for the keys on the desk but not inside or at it. 

Now, when you know the preposition of place definition, let’s move on to exploring their usage in some sentences:

The prepositions of place list is long and includes words that highlight surface, point, direction, and many other factors. In the table below, you will see the most often used ones with their meaning and instances of usage:

In the following section, we will classify each place’s preposition so you know where to use them.

It is much easier to understand and memorize the rules when you recognize particular patterns, instead of learning each possible location with its preposition. You will find brief explanations with each category to be able to guess what to select when speaking:

Specific points

It is used with the spaces you are at,  such as dots on a map, rather than a specific location. Especially, take into account small points, such as doors, stops, and public places when you want to indicate that you are close to them, as well as places like home, school, and work. 

Variations to use: at

Examples in dialogues:

Locations / enclosed areas

Speaking of locations, such as rooms and countries, you need to choose the instances below. It is also related to parks, banks, and shops when you are in the building, not near it.

Possible prepositions: outside, in, inside

Examples in dialogues:

Surfaces

Specifying that an object lies at the top of another, you opt for this one. It is related to tables, screens, and pages. Also, remember that using on with sides is typical of English (on the right, on the left). Do a prepositions of place worksheet to see more such expressions.

Common options: on

Examples in dialogues:

Up/down position

To describe vertical or relative placement, use these prepositions:

There are several words used to describe the vertical position of an item. Above indicates items that don’t move, are higher than other objects, and do not contact them. Over is similar, but it refers to things that move, cover, or are across something.

Under designates objects, which are directly below and can contact other things. And below is applied to show that something is under as well, but not necessarily directly.

Prepositions of place examples: over/under, above/below

Examples in dialogues:

Relative placement

You choose next to when referring to something that is beside an object or a person. In front of helps you describe something that faces an item. Between is the preposition you use to say that a thing or a person is in the middle of two other objects.

Options to choose: between, next to, in front of

Examples in dialogues:

With some words having similar meanings, multiple idiomatic phrases, and the number of options, errors with preposition of places are unavoidable, especially when you only start learning them. You need to go over both theoretical and practical workouts to refine your knowledge. However, the list of frequent missteps will help you save time:

Confusing “In” and “At”

Usage of in and at is similar to an extent, as they can sometimes be used in identical phrases. But the meaning of their use isn’t interchangeable. For example, when saying in the hospital, it means you are a patient. But telling at the hospital means you are visiting someone. However, there are specific patterns above that should be followed.

Choosing “On” instead of “In”

The difference between these two words is that on is used to describe items that stand on the surface of something (a cup is on the table, a computer is on the desk, etc.), while in is needed to point to something that is inside of an enclosed space, like a box, a cupboard, and a pot.  

Following the logic of other languages

The rules in English don’t necessarily repeat the patterns you can meet in other languages. What works in Spanish can be incorrect in English. That’s why it is important to get acquainted with the typical phrases, such as in the picture (when you want to describe what is depicted) and on the picture (on the surface of it), and others.

Misunderstanding the order

English is strict when it comes to the placement of words, and they can’t be scattered freely in a sentence. Put the locational prepositions after the object, but before the place it is in, according to this structure: 

Subject + Verb + Object + Preposition of Place + Place. 

Also, when you want to specify the location of an item that lies somewhere in the room, use the formula: The phone is in the kitchen at my sister’s house.

Nowadays, the variety of available language learning activities allows everyone, with different deadlines and needs, to find an approach that maximizes the effort and simplifies the experience. Keep reading to discover tactics that make memorizing enjoyable and effective:

Tip 1. Write your examples

Look at what surrounds you in your room or office. The items on the shelf, under chairs, next to tables, and above the drawer are your sources of good practice of grasping preposition of location examples. That way, you will repeat vocabulary about appliances and household items, strengthen your understanding of the rules, and be able to describe a place you live or work in.

Such contextual learning helps understand the rules better because it visualizes and also touches your personal space. 

Tip 2. Read and listen a lot 

Texts and videos appropriate for your level, as well as memes on X and Instagram, are not only fun ways to spend an hour or two after a long day, but they can also be a great source of phrases that include prepositions of place in a natural and common manner, as native speakers use them in daily life.

Grammar rules and sentences are good, but the more additional material you consume, the better your understanding. 

Tip 3. Do exercises with answers

Interactive workouts are essential steps in the study process. First, you learn how to differentiate between at, in, on, then you discover common patterns, and after that, you explore exceptions. A preposition of place worksheet enables you to achieve fluency more quickly.

First, mastering the usage of each preposition, you need to focus not only on the place words themselves, but also pay attention to the spaces in which they are used. Sometimes it is even more helpful, because not all cases follow the logic we stated above. Second, good navigation within the topic requires sufficient time. 

You can find a variety of practice-focused drills on the Koto English app that will allow you to understand the difference between prepositions, get to the point of all rules with the life-common examples that will enable you to use the grammar confidently.