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Learn how to use prepositions such as in, on, at, under, behind, between, and near to explain where things are, when events happen, and how people or objects move.
The keys are on the table.
The cat is under the chair.
We meet at noon.
She lives in India.
He walked toward the school.
Follow these four steps to understand prepositions and use them confidently in everyday English.
Learn what prepositions are and how they connect words in sentences.
Describe where people, animals, and objects are located.
Understand how prepositions describe time, direction, and movement.
Apply the rules, correct common mistakes, and improve sentence writing.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Imagine you are explaining where your phone is. You might say, “My phone is on the table.” If it is inside your bag, you would say, “My phone is in my bag.”
The words on and in are prepositions. They help explain the relationship between the phone and the place where it is located.
Prepositions can describe more than location. They can also tell us when something happens, where someone is going, or how one thing relates to another.
Explain where someone or something is.
Example: The toys are in the box.
Explain when something happens.
Example: The class starts at nine.
Describe movement from one place or position to another.
Example: She walked into the room.
Connect people, objects, and ideas.
Example: This gift is for you.
The book is on the desk.
The preposition “on” describes the book’s position.
The meeting is on Monday.
The preposition “on” identifies the day when the meeting happens.
The same preposition can have different uses depending on the context of the sentence.
Prepositions make sentences more precise. Without them, it can be difficult to explain where something is, when an event happens, or how someone moves from one place to another.
Explain where household objects and family members are.
Example: The remote is under the sofa.
Describe classroom locations and school schedules.
Example: The lesson begins at ten.
Explain destinations, routes, and movement.
Example: Walk across the bridge.
Talk about schedules, locations, and responsibilities clearly.
Example: The report is on my desk.
When choosing a preposition, ask yourself what relationship you want to describe: where, when, or in which direction? Then consider the meaning of the complete sentence rather than translating each word separately from your first language.
A preposition is a word that shows a relationship between a noun, a pronoun, or a noun phrase and another part of a sentence. Prepositions commonly express place, time, direction, movement, and other relationships.
Common prepositions include in, on, at, under, above, behind, between, before, after, from, to, and with.
| Preposition | Common Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| In | Inside a place or space | The keys are in the drawer. |
| On | On a surface | The book is on the table. |
| At | A particular point or location | She is at the station. |
| Under | Below something | The cat is under the bed. |
| Between | In the space separating two things | The shop is between the bank and the school. |
| After | Later than a time or event | We went home after lunch. |
| Toward | In the direction of something | He walked toward the gate. |
Sentence: The puppy is sleeping under the table.
Preposition: Under
Why? The word “under” explains the relationship between the puppy and the table by telling us where the puppy is.
A preposition is often followed by a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase. For example, in “under the table,” the preposition is “under” and its object is “the table.”
Some prepositions have similar meanings, so it is important to understand how their uses differ.
| Preposition | Typical Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| In | Inside an area, room, or container | The milk is in the fridge. |
| On | On a surface | The milk is on the shelf. |
| At | A particular point or location | We are at the supermarket. |
| Above | At a higher level than something | The clock is above the door. |
| Below | At a lower level than something | The temperature is below zero. |
| Between | Separating two things or positions | The ball is between the chairs. |
| Among | Within a group | She was sitting among her friends. |
| Beside | Next to something | The lamp is beside the bed. |
| Behind | At the back of something | The garden is behind the house. |
| In front of | At the forward side of something | The bus is in front of the school. |
In commonly means inside a space. On commonly means touching or supported by a surface.
Examples: in the box; on the box.
In often describes an area or enclosed space. At often identifies a point or destination.
Examples: in the room; at the entrance.
Between is often used for two clearly separated people or things. Among is commonly used within a group.
Examples: between two buildings; among friends.
Beside means next to something. Behind means at the back of something.
Examples: beside the chair; behind the chair.
These are common meanings, not rules that fit every situation. The correct preposition depends on the meaning and context of the complete sentence.
Prepositions usually connect a noun phrase or pronoun with another part of a sentence. They often appear before the noun or pronoun that completes their meaning.
Structure: Subject + verb + preposition + place
Examples:
The preposition explains where the person or thing is located.
Structure: Subject + verb + preposition + time
Examples:
The preposition helps identify when an event happens or when something must be completed.
Structure: Subject + movement verb + preposition + destination
Examples:
These prepositions describe the direction or path of movement.
Some verbs commonly occur with particular prepositions.
Examples:
Learn these combinations as complete expressions because the preposition often depends on the verb.
Some adjectives are commonly followed by specific prepositions.
Examples:
Examples:
In everyday English, a preposition can appear at the end of a question, as in “Who are you waiting for?”
Prepositions can express several kinds of relationships. Learning them by purpose makes it easier to understand and remember their uses.
These describe where a person or thing is located.
Common words: in, on, at, under, above, behind, beside
Examples:
These describe when something happens.
Common words: at, on, in, before, after, during
Examples:
These describe movement, direction, or a path.
Common words: to, into, onto, across, through, toward
Examples:
These express connections such as purpose, company, source, or topic.
Common words: with, for, of, from, about
Examples:
In: The keys are in the drawer. (place)
In: We travel in December. (time)
On: The cup is on the table. (place)
On: The match is on Sunday. (time)
A preposition’s meaning depends on how it is used in the sentence.
These practical rules will help you choose suitable prepositions and avoid common mistakes in everyday English.
Use in when someone or something is inside a space, or when referring to many countries, cities, and larger areas.
Examples:
Use on for surfaces and for specific days and dates.
Examples:
Use at for specific clock times and many particular locations or points.
Examples:
In: months, years, seasons, and many longer periods.
Example: in October, in 2026, in winter.
On: days and dates.
Example: on Friday, on 10 October.
At: clock times and certain fixed expressions.
Example: at 7:30, at noon, at midnight.
These are useful general patterns. Some time expressions follow special conventions, so learn common phrases in context.
Use to to show movement toward a destination.
Examples:
Remember that some verbs, such as “go,” commonly use “to” when followed by a destination.
Use into when movement goes from outside to inside a place or space.
Examples:
Compare: “The boy is in the room” describes a position, while “The boy ran into the room” describes movement.
Certain verbs are commonly used with particular prepositions.
Learn these combinations as complete expressions instead of choosing a preposition by translating directly from another language.
Some English expressions do not need an extra preposition.
Correct: We discussed the problem.
Incorrect: We discussed about the problem.
Correct: She entered the room.
Incorrect: She entered into the room.
“Enter into” can be correct in other contexts, such as “enter into an agreement,” but it is not normally needed for simply entering a room.
A preposition commonly introduces a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.
Examples:
In questions and some other sentence structures, the object may appear earlier in the sentence, as in “Who are you waiting for?”
Prepositions can be confusing because similar words sometimes have different uses. Review these common mistakes to improve your everyday English.
❌ Incorrect: My birthday is at Monday.
✅ Correct: My birthday is on Monday.
Why? Use on for days and dates, in for months and years, and at for specific clock times.
Examples: in August, on Friday, at 7 o’clock.
❌ Incorrect: The clothes are on the cupboard.
✅ Correct: The clothes are in the cupboard.
Why? Use in when something is inside an enclosed space. Use on when something rests on a surface.
❌ Incorrect: She went the market.
✅ Correct: She went to the market.
Why? The verb “go” commonly uses to before a destination.
❌ Incorrect: Please listen me carefully.
✅ Correct: Please listen to me carefully.
Why? The verb “listen” is normally followed by to when identifying the person or thing being heard.
❌ Incorrect: We discussed about the plan.
✅ Correct: We discussed the plan.
Why? “Discuss” takes its topic directly as an object. You do not need “about” in this sentence.
Example: The ball is between the two chairs.
Example: She was sitting among her classmates.
Remember: Use between when identifying separate positions or relationships, commonly involving two things. Use among when referring to someone or something within a group. Between can also be used for more than two clearly distinct people or things.
Position: The boy is in the classroom.
Movement: The boy walked into the classroom.
Remember: In commonly describes a position inside something. Into describes movement from outside to inside.
| Incorrect | Correct | Remember |
|---|---|---|
| At Monday | On Monday | On + day |
| She went the office. | She went to the office. | To + destination |
| Listen me. | Listen to me. | Listen to |
| Discuss about the topic. | Discuss the topic. | No extra preposition needed |
| The cat jumped in the box. (movement from outside intended) | The cat jumped into the box. | Into + movement inside |
Use these easy memory tricks to remember common prepositions and choose the right one when speaking or writing.
Think of something located within a space.
Example: The toys are in the box.
Think of something resting on a surface.
Example: The book is on the desk.
Think of a particular time or location.
Example: Meet me at the gate.
Think of moving toward a destination.
Example: We walked to school.
IN: Longer periods
ON: Days and dates
AT: Specific times
Into: Movement to the inside.
Example: She walked into the room.
Onto: Movement to a surface.
Example: The cat jumped onto the table.
Across: Movement from one side to another.
Example: We walked across the road.
Through: Movement within and out of a space or passage.
Example: The train went through the tunnel.
Learn these useful combinations together:
Practising complete phrases makes prepositions easier to remember than memorising isolated words.
Use this quick reference to review the most important prepositions and their common uses.
| Purpose | Prepositions | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Place | in, on, under, behind, beside | The bag is under the desk. |
| Time | in, on, at, before, after | We meet at noon. |
| Movement | to, into, onto, across, through | She walked across the bridge. |
| Direction | toward, away from, past | He walked toward the station. |
| Relationship | with, for, of, about, from | This gift is for you. |
Prepositions show where someone or something is located.
Example: The keys are in the drawer.
Prepositions tell us when something happens.
Example: The shop opens at nine.
Prepositions explain paths and destinations.
Example: The children ran into the garden.
Prepositions connect ideas, people, and things.
Example: She came with her sister.
Practise choosing prepositions for place, time, movement, and everyday expressions. Read each sentence carefully before selecting your answer.
1. The book is _____ the table. (in / on / at)
2. We have English class _____ Monday. (in / on / at)
3. The meeting starts _____ 10 o’clock. (in / on / at)
4. The cat is hiding _____ the bed. (under / through / to)
5. She walked _____ the classroom. (into / at / among)
6. I am interested _____ science. (on / in / at)
1. My birthday is at Friday.
2. She went the market.
3. Please listen me.
4. We discussed about the project.
5. The keys are in the table. (The keys are resting on its surface.)
Rewrite each sentence with the correct preposition or remove any unnecessary preposition.
1. The shoes are _____ the bed. (below it)
2. We travel to our village _____ December.
3. The picture is _____ the wall.
4. He walked _____ the bridge from one side to the other.
5. Please wait _____ your turn.
Write five original sentences using the following prepositions:
Try using familiar places and objects around you to make the sentences easier to remember.
Imagine you are explaining how to get from your home to a nearby shop. Write three sentences describing the route.
Example: “The shop is near my house. I walk across the road to reach it. I usually go there in the evening.”
Test your understanding with the dedicated Prepositions Quiz. Practise more questions and build confidence using prepositions in everyday English.
📝 Take the Prepositions QuizPrepositions are words that show relationships involving place, time, movement, direction, and other connections. They help make sentences more specific and meaningful.
| Type | Common Prepositions | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Place | in, on, under, behind, beside | The bag is beside the chair. |
| Time | in, on, at, before, after | We meet on Friday. |
| Movement | to, into, onto, across, through | They walked through the park. |
| Relationship | with, for, of, from, about | This message is for you. |
Keep practising by describing where things are, when activities happen, and how people move from one place to another.
Next lesson: Conjunctions — learn how words such as and, but, or, because, and although connect words, phrases, and clauses.
Here are simple answers to common questions about prepositions, their uses, and how to choose the correct preposition in English.
Prepositions are words that show relationships between a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase and another part of a sentence. They can express place, time, movement, direction, and other connections. Examples include in, on, at, under, and between.
For place, in often means inside an area or enclosed space, on often refers to a surface, and at often identifies a particular point or location. For time, use in for many months and years, on for days and dates, and at for specific clock times.
Prepositions of place describe where someone or something is located. Common examples include in, on, under, above, behind, beside, between, and among. For example: “The cat is under the table.”
Prepositions of time tell us when something happens. Common examples include in, on, at, before, after, and during. For example: “We have a meeting on Monday” and “The train leaves at six.”
In commonly describes a position inside something, while into describes movement from outside to inside. For example: “She is in the room” describes location, while “She walked into the room” describes movement.
Between often describes a relationship involving two things or clearly separated individuals or items. Among usually means within a group. For example: “The shop is between two buildings” and “She sat among her friends.”
No. Prepositions can describe time, movement, direction, purpose, company, and other relationships. For example, “at noon” describes time, “toward the gate” describes direction, and “with my friend” describes company.
Yes. In natural English, a preposition can appear at the end of a question or clause. For example: “Who are you waiting for?” and “That is the person I spoke to.” These constructions are common and grammatically acceptable.
Some verbs commonly combine with particular prepositions. For example, we say “listen to music,” “wait for the bus,” and “look at the picture.” Learning these combinations as complete expressions helps you use them correctly.
Practise with everyday sentences about places, schedules, directions, and activities. Learn common preposition combinations, read English regularly, and pay attention to how prepositions are used in context.
Keep this lesson handy for revision. Review prepositions of place, time, and movement, along with the examples, grammar rules, common mistakes, and practice activities whenever you need a refresher.
Review common prepositions such as in, on, at, under, between, and through with beginner-friendly explanations and practice activities.
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