More prepositions of place

Try the lesson on the basic prepositions of place (in, on and at) before you start this lesson.

under

The cat is under the table.

The cat is under the table.

on

The cat is on the table.

The cat is on the table.

in

The cat is in the basket.

The cat is in the basket.

 

next to

The cat is next to the table.

The cat is next to the table.

above

The light is above the table.

The light is above the table.

over

The picture is over the table.

The picture is over the table.

 

in front of

The spider is in front of the TV.

The spider is in front of the TV.

behind

The spider is behind the TV.

The spider is behind the TV.

opposite

place opposite

The spider is opposite the cat.

 

Be careful with above and over. They can be used in the same situations but not always. Over can be used when the two things are touching or one is covering the other - don't use above in this situation.

Put your hand over your mouth when you yawn.

Over and above can also be prepositions of movement:

I climbed over the wall. (up, then down)

The plane flew above the clouds. (to a higher position)

Also, be careful of the difference between in front of and opposite. Usually opposite is used when two things are facing each other, especially when there is something between them.

I parked in front of his house. (on the same side)

I parked opposite his house. (on the other side of the road)


Practice

Look at the picture below, then complete the sentences using the correct preposition of place.

Street scene

  1. The red car is  the green car.
  2. The blue car is  the red car.
  3. The blue car is parked  the cafe.
  4. The bridge is  the road.
  5. The cat is  the green car.
  6. The bin is  the tree.
  7. The blackbird is  the tree.
  8. The blackbird is  the bin.
  9. The 'cafe' sign is  the door.
  10. There is an 'open' sign  the door.
  11. I can see a woman  the cafe.
  12. The woman is standing  the counter.
  13. There are some hills  the cafe.