Understanding how to describe locations is one of the most practical skills you can build in English. Whether you need to explain where your house is, give directions, or simply describe a room, prepositions of place are the essential tools that make it all possible. This lesson covers 13 prepositions that will help you answer one fundamental question: Where do you live?
What are prepositions of place and why do you need 13 of them?
Prepositions of place describe the position of one object in relation to another. The full list introduced here includes: on, in, above, below, over, under, in front of, across from, behind, between, next to, to the left of, and to the right of [0:26]. Each one communicates a slightly different spatial relationship, and mastering them allows you to be precise when describing your surroundings.
A helpful way to learn them is by using a simple reference object — like a box — and moving a ball around it. That visual approach makes the differences between similar prepositions much clearer.
What is the difference between "on," "above," and "over"?
These three prepositions all describe something positioned higher than another object, but they are not interchangeable:
- On means the object is touching and resting on the surface of something [1:03].
- Above means the object is higher but there is visible space between the two objects — they are not touching [1:17].
- Over indicates the object is higher and covering the surface of the other, with very little space between them [1:30].
How do "below" and "under" compare?
The same logic applies to positions beneath an object:
- Below means the object is lower, with noticeable space between them [2:17].
- Under means the object is lower with less space, positioned closely beneath the other object [2:24].
When the distance is ambiguous — especially in illustrations or diagrams — both words can be acceptable [3:38].
How do you describe objects around a reference point?
Several prepositions describe horizontal relationships around an object. These are especially useful when describing furniture in a room or buildings on a street.
- In front of places the object facing the reference point [1:46].
- Behind places it on the opposite side, hidden from view [2:37].
- Next to means the objects are side by side [2:01].
- Between means the object sits in the middle of two other things. For example: The apple is between two boxes [2:58].
Two more prepositions add directional precision:
- To the left of specifies the object is on the left side of the reference [4:33].
- To the right of specifies the right side [4:51].
The idea of a point of reference is important here [4:20]. You always describe the position of one thing relative to another. For instance, you can say the plant is next to the sofa or the plant is to the left of the sofa — both are correct because they use the sofa as the reference [5:34].
How do you use prepositions to describe places in a neighborhood?
The preposition across from becomes especially relevant when talking about streets and neighborhoods [5:02]. When two places are separated by a street, you say they are across from one another. For example: The park is across from the school [5:16]. To reach one from the other, you would need to cross the street, which is a helpful way to remember the word.
Using a neighborhood map, you can combine multiple prepositions to give a complete description of where you live:
- The pool is across from the post office [7:05].
- The mall is between the pond and the library [7:19].
- My house is next to the school and across from the park [7:34].
How can you practice prepositions in everyday situations?
Start by looking around your own space. Describe objects in your room, your desk, or your kitchen using these 13 prepositions. Then move to your neighborhood:
- Where is the nearest store?
- What is across from your house?
- What building is between two others on your street?
The more you practice placing real objects and real places into sentences, the more natural these prepositions will feel. Try answering the central question — Where do you live? — using at least three different prepositions in your response. Share your answer and keep practicing with the worksheet activities to reinforce what you have learned.
