Learn English Grammar - Prepositions of Places

Prepositions can be used to show where something is located.

We use at to show a specific place or position.

For example:
Someone is at the door.
They are waiting at the bus stop.
I used to live at 51 Portland Street.

We use on to show position on a horizontal or vertical surface.

For example:
The cat sat on the mat.
The satellite dish is on the roof.

We also use on to show position on streets, roads, etc.

For example:
I used to live on Portland Street.

We use in to show that something is enclosed or surrounded.

For example:
The dog is in the garden.
She is in a taxi.
Put it in the box.

We also use in to show position within land-areas (towns, counties, states, countries, and continents).

For example:
I used to live in Nottingham.

Prepositions of Place
at
The secretary was sitting	at	her desk.
The man was standing	at	the taxi stand.
in
The pen was	in	the drawer.
He lives	in	South Africa.
on
The painting was hanging	on	the wall.
The boy was sitting	on	the chair.
over/above
The sign hanging	over/above	the door read 'No smoking'.
I put the tablecoth	over	the table.
I enjoy watching the planes fly	above	me.
under / below
The temperature outside was	under/below	0.
The woman was sheltering	under	a tree.
When flying I enjoy watching the clouds	below	me.
in front of
The teacher stands	in front of	the class.
The car was parked	in front of	the garage.
behind
The car park is	behind	the building.
He never won a race, he was always	behind	the others.
next to / beside / by
In my English lesson I always sit	next to/ beside/by	my friend.
The bank is	next to/ beside/by	the hotel.
among
I enjoy being	among	my friends.
I found my handbag	among	my luggage.
between
The prisoner sat	between	the two policemen.
I held the pen	between	my thumb and fingers.