LEARN 12 PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE PAIRS!
We can use prepositions of place to say where something is. Prepositions of place include in, on, under, in front of, behind….
These prepositions are very useful as they’ll help you speak better English. In this lesson, we’re looking at preposition of place pairs: in-on, over-under, in front of-behind… Studying them as pairs will help you understand them much more easily. Good luck!
In / On
- The cat is **in** the box. [in an enclosed space]
- The cat is **on** the box. [on a surface]
On top of / Under
- The cat is sitting **on top of** the box. [at the highest position of the object]
- The cat is **under** the box. [at a lower position than the object]
In front of / Behind
- The cat is **in front of** the box. [in a forward position from the object]
- The cat is **behind** the box. [at the back of the object]
Between / Among
- The cat is **between** two boxes. [in the middle of 2 objects]
- The cat is **among** many boxes. [in the middle of many objects]
Near (close to) / Far from
- The cat is **near** the box. [at a short distance from the object]
- The cat is **far from** the box. [at a long distance from the object]
Next to (beside, by) / Opposite (across from)
- The cat is **next to** the box. [at the side of the object]
- The cat is **opposite** the box. [in a position facing the object on the other side]
At / In
- The cat is **at** the box. [at a specific point or the exact location of the object]
- The cat is **in** the box. [in an enclosed space]
Above / Below (under)
- The bird is **above** the cat. [at a higher position, not touching the object]
- The bird is **below** the cat. [at a lower position, not touching the object]
To the right of / To the left of
- The cat is **to the left of** the box. [on the left-hand side of the object]
- The cat is **to the right of** the box. [on the right-hand side of the object]
Over / Under
- The blanket is **over** the cat. [covering the object]
- The blanket is **under** the cat. [at a lower position than the object]
Inside / Outside
- The cat is **inside**. [in a house or building]
- The cat is **outside**. [out of a house or building]
Upstairs / Downstairs
- The cat is **upstairs**. [at a higher level after going up some stairs]
- The cat is **downstairs**. [at a lower level after going up some stairs]
IN, ON, AT
We use **in** when we’re inside an enclosed space: I’m in the restaurant.
We use **on** when we’re touching a surface: I’m on the road near the restaurant.
We use **at** to refer to a specific point or an exact location: I’m at the restaurant.
Here’s a sentence and emoji to help you understand the differences:
I live **in** a house, **on** a quiet road **at** the corner of Fox Street and Bear Street.
EXERCISES
Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions.
- The cat is (1) between two boxes.
- The cat is (2) among many boxes.
- The bird is (3) above the cat.
- The bird is (4) below the cat.
- The cat is (5) in front of the box.
- The cat is (6) behind the box.
- The cat is (7) near the box.
- The cat is (8) far from the box.
- The cat is sitting (9) on top of the box.
- The cat is (10) under the box.
- The cat is to the (11) left of the box.
- The cat is to the (12) right of the box.
- The cat is (13) next to the box.
- The cat is (14) opposite the box.
- The cat is (15) in the box.
- The cat is (16) on the box.
- The blanket is (17) over the cat.
- The blanket is (18) under the cat.
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