Place prepositions: in, on, at and under

The idea

Use in for a position inside a space: in the bag. Use on for a position on a surface: on the table. Use at for a location viewed as a point: at the station. Under means below, and next to means beside. The choice can change with how a speaker views a place.

Examples

• The keys are in the bag.
• The cup is on the table.
• She is at the station.
• The cat is under the chair.
• The bank is next to the bakery.
• We are in the kitchen.

Watch out

Do not assume every place uses just one preposition: at the station locates someone at the site, while in the station can emphasise being inside the building.

Try it yourself

1. The keys are ___ the bag. (inside: in / on)

   Show answer or example answer

   in

   in places the keys inside the bag.

2. The cup is ___ the table. (on its surface: on / under)

   Show answer or example answer

   on

   on places the cup on the surface of the table.

3. The cat is ___ the chair. (below: under / in)

   Show answer or example answer

   under

   under places the cat below the chair.

Use it today

Describe three objects near you using different place prepositions. Then ask where another object is.