What are prepositions of place?

Prepositions of place are short words that show the position or location of a noun or pronoun. They answer the question ‘Where?’.

They are essential for describing where things are. They help us understand the exact relationship between different objects or people.

When to use at, in, and on?

These three prepositions are very common and can cause confusion. Each has specific uses depending on the type of location.

• At: for a specific point or a general location.
  • Use at for precise addresses: I live at 24 Oak Street.
  • Use at for specific points or public places: She is at the bus stop., They are at the airport.
  • Use at for events: We met at the concert.
• In: for enclosed spaces or larger areas.
  • Use in for countries, cities, and large geographical areas: He lives in Peru., I found a bank in the town centre.
  • Use in for rooms or buildings (when you are inside): The books are in the library., I'm in the kitchen.
  • Use in for vehicles like cars or taxis: She's in the car.
• On: for surfaces or lines.
  • Use on for surfaces: The book is on the table., There was a notice on the wall.
  • Use on for public transport (buses, trains, planes): We are on the bus.
  • Use on for floors or roofs: The hotel had a big swimming pool on its roof.

How to use across, into, and off?

These prepositions usually describe movement or a more specific relationship between objects.

• Across: from one side to the other.
  • Use across to describe movement from one side to another: We walked across the bridge., We showed our passports as we went across the frontier.
• Into: movement from outside to inside.
  • Use into to show entry or movement from an exterior to an interior: He walked into the room., I jumped into the pool to cool off.
• Off: separation or location near a coast.
  • Use off to indicate separation from a surface or place: He fell off his bike.
  • Use off to describe an island or location near a coast: Singapore is an island off the coast of Malaysia.

Examples

• The keys are on the table.
• She is waiting at the entrance.
• They live in a small village.
• He swam across the lake.
• The cat jumped into the box.
• Please take your feet off the sofa.
• I arrived in Lima last week.
• We sat on the terrace drinking a beer.

Practice

Common mistakes by Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers often make specific mistakes with prepositions of place due to the differences between English and Spanish.

• Confusing in and at: In Spanish, 'en' can cover both 'in' and 'at'. Remember:
  • I am in the hospital (I am a patient or work there).
  • I am at the hospital (I am visiting or waiting outside).
• Using in for surfaces: In Spanish, 'en' can mean 'on' for a surface. Always use on for surfaces.
  • Incorrect: The picture is in the wall.
  • Correct: The picture is on the wall.
• Not using into for movement: When moving from outside to inside, English requires into, not just in.
  • Incorrect: She went in the room.
  • Correct: She went into the room.
• Using on for small vehicles: Remember to use in for cars and taxis, but on for public transport.
  • Incorrect: I am on the car.
  • Correct: I am in the car.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between 'in' and 'on' for locations?

Use in for enclosed spaces or large areas like cities and countries. Use on for surfaces, lines, or public transport like buses and trains.

When should I use 'at' instead of 'in' or 'on'?

Use at for specific points, precise addresses, or general locations like at the station or at home. It indicates a precise point rather than an enclosed space or a surface.

How do 'across' and 'into' differ from 'in' and 'on'?

Across and into generally describe movement. Across means moving from one side to another, while into means moving from outside to inside. In and on usually describe a static position.

Are prepositions of place important for the B2 First (FCE) exam?

Yes, prepositions of place are very important for the B2 First (FCE) exam, which in Peru is one of the Cambridge certificates most requested by universities and employers. You can find them in Part 1 (Multiple-choice cloze) or Part 2 (Open cloze) of Use of English, where you must choose or complete the correct preposition.