Ch 14
Prepositions of Place
in · on · at · under · between · next to
The three most common prepositions of place each have specific uses.
in
inside something: in the box, in the room, in the kitchen
on
on a surface: on the table, on the wall, on the floor
at
at a point or location: at the door, at the bus stop, at home
in
cities, countries, rooms, buildings: in Barcelona, in the kitchen, in a hotel
on
streets, floors, surfaces: on Main Street, on the second floor, on the bus
at
addresses, events, specific points: at 25 King Street, at the party, at school
"at home", "at work", "at school" — no "the". "in the kitchen", "in the office" — yes "the".
under
below: The cat is under the table.
over / above
higher: The painting is above the sofa.
next to / beside
at the side: The school is next to the park.
between
in the middle of TWO things: The shop is between the bank and the post office.
behind
at the back: The garden is behind the house.
in front of
opposite of behind: A car is in front of the house.
near
close to: The supermarket is near my house.
by + transport
by car, by bus, by train, by plane (general)
in a car / taxi
small vehicles you sit IN — in the car
on a bus / train / plane
large vehicles — on the bus, on the train
on foot
walking — I go to school on foot.
I live in 25 King Street.
→
I live at 25 King Street.
at + address
She is in school.
→
She is at school.
at school = doing classes
I am in the bus.
→
I am on the bus.
on + large vehicle
The book is in the floor.
→
The book is on the floor.
on + surface
Recap
in
inside / cities / rooms
in Barcelona, in the box
on
surfaces / streets / large vehicles
on the table, on the bus
at
points / addresses / events
at home, at the door
Position
under · above · next to · between · behind
under the table