Prepositions of place: in, on, at and more
Learn in, on and at for places and addresses, and other prepositions of place like under, next to, between, behind and opposite, with a quiz.
In this lesson
Prepositions of place tell us where something or someone is. Use in for inside a space (in the box, in Kandy), on for a surface (on the table) and at for a point or a place where something happens (at the bus stop). Other common ones are under, next to, between, behind, in front of and opposite.
Key point
Use in for an enclosed space or an area, on for a surface or a line, and at for a point or a place where an activity happens. In addresses, say at + house number, on + street and in + town or country.
When do you use in?
Use in when something is inside a space with sides, such as a box, a room or a car. We also use it for areas with borders, such as gardens, parks, towns, cities and countries.
Examples
- The milk is in the fridge.
- The children are playing in the garden.
- Nimal lives in Kandy.
- London is in England.
- We came home in a taxi.
When do you use on?
Use on when something touches a surface, such as a table, a wall or the floor. We also use it for lines, like roads, rivers and coasts, and for floors of a building and pages.
Examples
- Your phone is on the table.
- There is a map on the wall.
- Galle is on the coast.
- My office is on the second floor.
- The answers are on page 20.
Tip
For transport, use on for buses, trains, planes and bikes, and in for cars and taxis: I read a book on the train to Kandy, but She is waiting in the car.
When do you use at?
Use at for a point, such as a door, a bus stop or the end of a road. We also use it for a place where an activity happens, such as work, school or a party.
Examples
- Someone is at the door.
- Wait for me at the bus stop.
- Turn left at the traffic lights.
- Nimal is at work until six.
- We met at a party in Colombo.
Note
Sometimes in and at are both possible with a small change in meaning. We were at the cinema tells us the activity (watching a film). It was cold in the cinema tells us about the inside of the building.
How do you use in, on and at in addresses?
Addresses follow a clear pattern. The more exact the address, the smaller the preposition becomes: in for a town or country, on for a street and at for a full address with a number.
| Preposition | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| at | a house number and street | Sanduni lives at 12 Galle Road. |
| on | a street or road | Her flat is on Galle Road, near the sea. |
| in | a town, city, region or country | She lives in Colombo, in Sri Lanka. |
| on | a floor of a building | Her flat is on the fourth floor. |
Common mistake
I live in 12 Galle Road. → I live at 12 Galle Road. When the address has a house number, use at.
Note
With a street name and no number, British English often uses in as well as on: a shop in Oxford Street. American English almost always uses on: a shop on Main Street.
What other prepositions of place are there?
These prepositions show the position of one thing compared with another. Some have two or three words, like next to and in front of.
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| under | lower than something, often touching or covered by it | The cat is under the bed. |
| next to | at the side of (also: beside) | The bank is next to the post office. |
| between | in the middle of two things | The pharmacy is between the bakery and the bank. |
| behind | at the back of | There is a small garden behind the house. |
| in front of | near the front of something | Nimal parked his car in front of the school. |
| opposite | on the other side, facing something | The bus stop is opposite the hospital. |
| above | higher than something, not touching it | There is a clock above the door. |
| below | lower than something | The kitchen is below my bedroom. |
| near | not far from | We live near the beach in Galle. |
Common mistake
The bank is next of the post office. → The bank is next to the post office. Also say opposite the hospital, not opposite of the hospital.
Tip
In front of means near the front of something, on the same side. Opposite means on the other side of a road or a room, facing it. If you cross the road to reach it, it is opposite.
Under or below?
Under often means directly lower and touching or covered: The keys are under the newspaper. Below usually means at a lower level, not touching: The temperature fell below zero. The opposite of both is above or over.
Practise prepositions of place
Choose the right preposition for each place, address and position. You will see the answer after each question.
The same three words, in, on and at, also tell us when things happen, so read our lesson on prepositions of time next. To ask about places, you need question words like where, and to answer you often need is and are: Where is the bank? It is next to the post office. Many places also need the right article, as you can see in articles: a, an and the. For more practice, read the Cambridge Dictionary guide to at, on and in for place or try the British Council exercises on prepositions of place.
Summary
- Use in for spaces and areas: in the fridge, in Kandy, in a taxi.
- Use on for surfaces, lines, floors and most public transport: on the wall, on Galle Road, on the bus.
- Use at for points and activities: at the bus stop, at work, at a party.
- Addresses: at 12 Galle Road, on Galle Road, in Colombo.
- Learn the other positions as a set: under, next to, between, behind, in front of, opposite, above and below.
Frequently asked questions
Is it “in the bus” or “on the bus”?
Say on the bus. We use on for buses, trains, planes and bikes, and in for cars and taxis.
Do we say “at home” or “in home”?
Say at home: I am at home today. Do not use in, and do not use the: at home, not at the home.
What is the difference between opposite and in front of?
In front of means near the front of something, on the same side. Opposite means on the other side, usually across a road or a room, facing it.
Do I say “on Galle Road” or “in Galle Road”?
On Galle Road is always correct. British speakers sometimes say in with street names too. With a house number, use at: at 12 Galle Road.
Practise this lesson
12 questions
