Prepositions of Place

You might know that prepositions are words which are used to link nouns, pronouns and phrase to other words in a sentence. In this article you will learn how to use prepositions of place in your sentences.

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place are used to relate where something or someone is located. There are many prepositions of place. Among all prepositions of place “at, in and on” can be very confusing for English learners. Below we have elaborated common prepositions of place with explanations and examples.

In (To discuss an enclosed space. Basically, when something is inside something) 

Use	Example
In room/ building/ town/country.	In the library, in Hazara Twon, in Pakistan
In book/ paper/ picture etc.	In the paper. What is this in the picture?
In box/ closet/ basket/ pocket etc.	In the box, in his pocket, in the basket.
In world/ sky/ water.	Best in the world. In the river/ lake. In the sky.
In a traffic jam/ prison/ street.	We were stuck in traffic jam. They are in the street.
In the way.	We cannot move because the table is in the way.
To discuss physical surroundings.	We went out in the rain.
To show a state or condition.	I’m in love!  A man in his thirties.
To show somebody’s job.

Note: (If something or someone is in the it is in the space which someone needs for a particular movement or action)

On  (Tells us that noun is located on a surface)

Use	Example
When Something is attached to (on the table/ floor/ chair/ shelf/ wall etc.)	My room is on the 2nd  floor. There is vase on the shelf.
For names of streets, roads etc.	We used to live on perfect street.
For certain side ( left/ right.)	On the left side.
For public transport.	On the bus. On the plan.
For television/ radio/ computer.	Tonight we will watch the match between Pakistan and Australia on TV.
On page/ menu.	Look at the exercise on page 10.
Immediately after something.	Please report to reception on arrival. (Prp of Time)
Using drug or medicine regularly.	He lived on a diet of junk food.
At or near a place.	A town on the coast. We live on an estate.
Used when giving a telephone NO.	You can get me on 00923216356—

At (Tells an exact position or particular place)

Use	Example
At home/ work/ school/ the airport/ the office/ the party/ the restaurant/ the hotel/ weeding/ the bus stop etc.	You have to come at the office for meeting. They will meet at the hotel.
At the corner/ center/ top/ middle/ back etc.	We have a garden at the back of the house.
At the door/ table/ entrance etc. (Means next to)	Can you tell me who is at the door?
At Ali’s.	(Means at his house)

In front of                       

Use	Example
(Tells about the pat which is in the direction of face.)	The students were standing in front of the office.

Behind                      

Use	Example
At the back.	Most of the crowds were behind the ground.

Between                 

Use	Example
In or into the space which separates two places or objects.	The shop is between the supermarket and petrol pump.

Below                      

Use	Example
The place lower than something else.	Karachi is located 70 meter below sea level.

Beside                  

Use	Example
Next to.	I am standing next to the teacher.

Down                    

Use	Example
From higher place to lower.	We came down the mountain.

Over                     

Use	Example
Above or higher than something else. (When something covers the other)	She put the blanket over the sleeping child.
More than.	They stayed in Quetta for over a month.
To cross something and be on the other side.	She climbed over the wall.
On the far or opposite of something.	She lives over the road.
to show that somebody has control or authority.	She has only the director over her.
During something.	We’ll discuss it over lunch.
Across from one side to the other.	They ran over the grass

Above                  

Use	Example
At or to a higher place or positions than something or somebody.	We were flying above the clouds.
More than something. Or greater importance or of higher quality than somebody or something.	Temperatures have been about average. I rate her above most other players of her age.

Across                 

Use	Example
From one side to other side of something.	I drew a line across the page.
On the other side of something.	There’s a bank right across the street.
On or over the part of the body.	He hit him across the face.

From             

Use	Example
To show where somebody/ something starts.	She began to walk away from him..
Used to show the reason for something.	She felt sick from tiredness.

To          

Use	Example
In the direction of something.	I walked to the office.
Reaching a particular state.	He tore the letter to pieces.

Towards     

Use	Example
In the direction of somebody or something.	She had her back towards me.
Getting closer to achieving something.	We step towards perfection.
With the aim of obtaining or helping.	The money will go towards a new school.

Into      

Use	Example
To a position in or inside something.	Come into the office.
In the direction of something.	Speak clearly into the microphone.
To appoint at which you hit somebody or something.	Try to hit into the head.
Used to show a change in state.	They came into power in 2016.

Onto  

Use	Example
Express movement on or to a particular place of position.	She stepped down from the stairs onto the platform.
To show that something faces in a particular direction.	The window looked out onto the terrace.

Through    

Use	Example
From one end or side of something or somebody to the other.	The burglar got in through the window.
To see, hear etc. something from the other side of an object.	I couldn’t hear their conversation through the wall.
Past a barrier, stage or test.	Go through this gate, and you will find the house.

By / next to/ beside/ near

Use	Example
Near somebody/ something, or at the side of somebody/ something, or beside somebody or something.	The telephone is by the window.                                 She came and sat by me.

(More uses of “by” except showing place)  

Use	Example
Showing how or in what way something is done.	I will contact you by letter.
Used before particular noun without the to say that something happens as a result of something.	They won the match by chance.
Past somebody/ something.	He walked by me without speaking.
Used to show the degree or amount of something.	The bullet missed him by two inches.
From what something shows or says, according to something.	By my watch it is two o’clock.
Used with the to show the period or quantity used for buying, selling or measuring something.	They are paid by the hour.
Used to state the rate at which something happens.	The children came in two by two.
Used when swearing to mean ‘ in the name of’.	I swear by Almighty God.