CHAPTER 3 — PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE / POSITION
Prepositions of place or position help us understand where a person, object, or event is located.
They answer the question “Where?” with clarity.
These prepositions are important in giving directions, describing locations, identifying positions, and expressing spatial relationships in English.
3.1 Common Prepositions of Place
- in
- on
- at
- under
- above
- below
- near
- behind
- between
- among
- next to
- beside
- opposite
Each preposition expresses a different spatial relationship.
The following sections explain these in detail with examples using your students’ names.
3.2 Preposition: IN (Inside an Enclosed Space)
“In” is used when something is inside a space, area, or boundary.
Use “in” for:
- Countries — in India
- Cities — in Delhi
- Rooms — in the classroom
- Closed spaces — in the box
- Groups — in the team
Examples (with your students’ names):
- Rehan is sitting in the library.
- Sana kept her bag in her locker.
- Anisha is in the science lab.
- Prince lives in Motihari.
- Tasir waited in the corridor.
3.3 Preposition: ON (Surface Contact)
“On” is used when something touches a surface or is positioned above a surface.
Use “on” for:
- Flat surfaces — on the table
- Vertical surfaces — on the wall
- Floors/levels — on the first floor
- Streets — on MG Road
- Electronic platforms — on TV, on YouTube
Examples:
- Ruchi kept her books on the desk.
- Faizan found his name on the attendance list.
- Ikra wrote her homework on the last page.
- Arush sat on the bench outside the classroom.
- Paridhi placed her bottle on the shelf.
3.4 Preposition: AT (Specific Point or Location)
“At” indicates a fixed point or specific location.
Use “at” for:
- Exact places — at the bus stop
- Specific buildings — at the hospital
- Events — at the meeting
- Addresses — at 45, Birsa Road (without house number → use “in”)
Examples:
- Saddab is waiting at the school gate.
- Nimra Fatima stood at the notice board.
- Tanvir arrived at the exam hall early.
- Sufiyan met his friend at the market.
- Anisha is standing at her classroom door.
3.5 Preposition: UNDER (Below, Covered By)
“Under” expresses position lower than or covered by something.
Examples:
- Prince left his pencil under the table.
- Ruchi’s shoes are under the bed.
- Rehan sat under the tree to rest.
3.6 Preposition: ABOVE (Higher Than, Not Touching)
“Above” means at a higher level without touching the object.
Examples:
- The fan is above Tanvir’s head.
- The clock is above the notice board where Sana was reading.
3.7 Preposition: BELOW (Lower Than)
“Below” means at a lower level than something else.
Examples:
- The temperature fell below normal.
- Rehan wrote his name below the heading.
3.8 Preposition: BEHIND (At the Back Of)
“Behind” indicates that something is at the back of another object.
Examples:
- Sufiyan hid behind the door.
- Nimra Fatima stood behind Paridhi in the queue.
- Anisha kept her cycle behind the school building.
3.9 Preposition: IN FRONT OF (Directly Before)
Used for facing position.
Examples:
- Arush parked his bicycle in front of the classroom.
- Faizan stood in front of the mirror.
3.10 Preposition: BETWEEN vs AMONG
BETWEEN → for two persons or things
- Prince sat between Rehan and Faizan.
AMONG → for more than two
- Ruchi shared the chocolates among her friends.
- Sufiyan stood among the group of students.
3.11 Preposition: NEXT TO / BESIDE (Very Close)
Examples:
- Sana sits beside Ikra in the classroom.
- Anisha stood next to Paridhi during assembly.
Note:
Beside = next to
Besides = in addition to (different meaning)
3.12 Preposition: OPPOSITE (Facing Something)
Examples:
- Rehan’s house is opposite the park.
- Faizan sat opposite Tasir during group work.
3.13 Visual Position Diagram (Teacher Tool)
ABOVE
↑
BEHIND ← OBJECT → IN FRONT OF
↓
BELOW
LEFT ← NEXT TO / BESIDE → RIGHT
3.14 Exercise (Student Practice)
- Sana is waiting ___ the gate.
- Rehan placed his bag ___ the chair.
- Paridhi stood ___ Anisha in the line.
- Prince lives ___ Motihari.
- Faizan kept his bottle ___ the table.
- Ruchi is hiding ___ the curtain.
- Sufiyan parked his cycle ___ the school building.
- The picture is hanging ___ the wall.
- Tasir was sitting ___ the classroom.
- The playground is ___ the school.
3.15 Answer Key (Teacher Only)
- at
- on
- behind
- in
- on
- behind
- behind
- on
- in
- near