English Prepositions of Place with Rules and Practice

Prepositions of place describe where something is located and are essential for clear communication in English. This guide covers definitions, grammar rules, examples, common mistakes, and practice exercises to help you master them for daily use and English exams like IELTS or TOEFL.

I. What Are Prepositions of Place?

Prepositions of place are words used to show the location or position of a person, object, or place in relation to something else. They help answer questions like “Where is it?” or “Where did it happen?” These prepositions are fundamental in English grammar for expressing spatial relationships clearly and accurately.

Prepositions of place typically appear before a noun or pronoun, creating a phrase that tells you where something is. For example:

• The book is on the table.
• They stood in front of the building.

Common prepositions of place include: in, on, at, under, over, next to, between, behind, in front of, above, below, and more.

In real-life communication, prepositions of place are essential for:

• Giving directions (e.g. “Go past the bank, then it’s next to the supermarket.”)
• Describing photos in speaking tests (e.g. “There’s a man sitting under a tree.”)
• Telling stories or giving location-based instructions accurately

Understanding and using prepositions of place correctly is crucial because:

• They make your spoken English more precise in everyday conversations
• They improve your descriptive ability in tasks like IELTS Speaking Part 2
• They help you write better Writing Task 1 responses when describing charts, maps, or diagrams
• Their misuse leads to common grammar errors, especially for learners at pre-intermediate to intermediate level

1. List of Common Prepositions of Place with Examples

There are many prepositions of place in English, but a few are especially common and appear frequently in everyday speech and writing. These prepositions describe the relationship in space between one object and another.

Basic Prepositions: in, on, at

Tip: Use in for enclosed spaces, on for surfaces, and at for specific points or addresses.

Extended Prepositions: under, over, behind, between, next to

By learning these prepositions with visual supports, example-based practice, and real-life context, learners can improve their ability to describe physical locations clearly and confidently.

2. Grammar Rules for Prepositions of Place

Proper use of prepositions of place depends on understanding their position in a sentence, the type of object they refer to, and how they interact with nouns or pronouns. Below are the key grammatical rules to follow.

Preposition + Noun or Noun Phrase

A preposition of place is always followed by a noun or noun phrase (never a verb). 

Structure: Subject + verb + preposition + noun

Examples:

• The book is on the table.
• She lives in New York.
• He is standing next to the window.

For a deeper look, review how noun phrases work in these contexts.

Using “In,” “On,” and “At” Correctly

In complex descriptions, prepositions often combine with subordinating conjunctions to form longer, more precise sentences.

These three prepositions can be confusing because they seem similar but express different spatial relationships.

Rule of thumb:

• Use in for space you can be inside of (room, box).
• Use on for surfaces (table, wall).
• Use at for specific places or fixed points (station, door, location on a map).

Prepositions Follow “Be” or Action Verbs

Prepositions of place often follow the verb to be (is, are, was, etc.), but can also follow verbs of motion if describing final location.

Examples with “be”:

• The keys are on the kitchen counter.
• The cat was under the bed.

Examples with action verbs:

• He sat next to his friend.
• She walked into the room.

Learners also need to practice prepositions of movement, since they often appear together when describing actions and final locations.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Incorrect Usage	Correct Usage	Why It’s Wrong
The phone is in the table.	The phone is on the table.	“In” is for enclosed space; a table is a surface.
He lives at London.	He lives in London.	Use “in” for cities or countries.
She stood on front of the class.	She stood in front of the class.	Wrong preposition combination.
The book is at the shelf.	The book is on the shelf.	“On” is used for specific surfaces.

II. Applying Prepositions of Place in IELTS or TOEFL

Using prepositions of place accurately can significantly improve your performance in both IELTS and TOEFL, especially in tasks that require clear description of location, direction, or spatial relationships. These structures are frequently tested in Speaking and Writing sections.

In IELTS Speaking Part 1 and 2

In IELTS Speaking, candidates are often asked to describe places, objects in a room, or details within a photograph. Prepositions of place help create precise and fluent responses.

Useful Phrases:

• on the left/right
• in the background/foreground
• next to the park
• behind the table

Sample Sentence (Band 6.5–7.5):

• There’s a small café next to the bookstore, where I often go to study.
• In the photo, you can see a man sitting under a tree, probably reading a book.

Tips:

• Use specific prepositions to show location accuracy.
• Combine them with visual clues, especially in Part 2 (photo/scene description).
• Practice describing places around you in detail using at least 3 prepositions per answer.

In IELTS Writing Task 1 (Map Description)

Task 1 may require describing changes in a place over time—buildings added, removed, or relocated. Prepositions of place are critical for clarity.

Common Structures:

• A new parking lot was built behind the school building.
• The playground has been moved to the left of the sports center.

Useful Prepositions for Maps:

• in the north/south/east/west
• beside / near / at the corner of
• between / opposite / adjacent to

Tips:

• Use precise spatial language to show understanding of the diagram.
• Maintain consistent point of view (e.g., always describe from a map’s perspective).
• Vary expressions: don’t repeat “next to” — use “adjacent to,” “alongside,” “facing,” etc.

In TOEFL Speaking and Writing Responses

In TOEFL, describing place is often part of explaining a personal example, a campus announcement, or classroom setting.

Example:

• Our library is located on the third floor, across from the student lounge.
• The professor placed the samples on the front desk, and we gathered around to observe.

Exam Advice:

• Prepositions of place show control over descriptive detail.
• Use varied expressions when narrating events or explaining processes that involve location.
• Avoid vague phrases like “there” or “here” without a clear spatial reference

III. Exercises on prepositions of place

Practicing prepositions of place helps build accuracy in grammar and confidence in both speaking and writing. Below are three simple types of exercises to help reinforce your understanding.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the correct preposition: (in, on, at, under, next to, between, in front of, behind)

1. The books are ___ the shelf.
2. She is standing ___ the door.
3. The sofa is ___ the window and the table.
4. We had a picnic ___ the tree.
5. He parked his car ___ my house.

Exercise 2: Error Correction

Find and correct the mistake in each sentence.

1. The cat is on front of the couch.
2. He lives at London.
3. The pen is in the desk.
4. They sat in the grass under the tree.
5. I put the keys at the drawer.

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Exercise 1	Exercise 2
on at between under in front of	The cat is in front of the couch. He lives in London. The pen is on the desk. They sat on the grass under the tree. I put the keys in the drawer.

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IV. Start Your IELTS Journey

In the above article, PREP has prepared a comprehensive compilation of prepositions of place, along with exercises and illustrative examples. To connect this with other topics, check out our complete guide to learn English grammar for systematic progress. If you need a confidence boost, PREP’s real-time practice and expert feedback will help you achieve your target band score. 

• IELTS preparation:  Unlock Your IELTS Success Story.