Prepositions of Place

“In”, “On”, and “At”

Use “in” with spaces

In a box

In a room.

In a park.

Use “in” with bodies of water

There is garbage in the water.

There is a sail boat in the sea.

There are rocks in the river.

Use “in” with lines

They are standing in line.

Uses for “in”

1. Spaces 2. Water 3. Lines

Use “at” with places

We are at the movie theater.

I’m writing at school.

I am shopping at the super market.

I’m writing at the bottom of the page.

I’m writing at the top of the page.

Use “at” in groups of people

We are sitting at the front of the class.

This boy is sitting at the back of the row.

Uses for “at”

1. Location with a specific name. 2. Location on paper. 3. Location of groups of people.

Use “on” with surfaces

The ball is on the ground.

The clock is on the wall.

There is a lamp on the table.

Use “on” with small islands

There are trees on the island.

Use “on” with directions

My Way is on the right.

No Way is on the left.

Success is straight on.

Uses for “on”

1. On surfaces. 2. Location of things on a small island. 3. Used for location of places with directions.

Exceptions

In the corner of a room.

At the corner of the street.

On the corner of the street.

In / at / on the front

She is sitting in the front of the car.

They are at the front of the building.

The little boy painted a rainbow on the front of the paper.

Tell me about the picture

Example: There is nothing in the box.

What do you see? (hint- room, spaces)

What do you see? (hint- park, spaces)

What do you see? (hint- water)

What do you see? (hint- water)

What do you see? (hint- water)

What are they doing? (hint- line)

Where are they watching a movie?

(hint- location with name)

Where is he writing? (hint- location with

name)

Where is she shopping?

(hint- location with name)

Where is the shell by the piece of paper?

(hint- paper)

Where are you going to write?

(hint- paper)

Where are they

sitting?

(hint- groups of people)

Where is he sitting?

(hint- groups of people)

Where is the ball? (hint- surfaces)

Where is the clock? (hint- surfaces)

Where is the lamp? (hint- surfaces)

What can you see? (hint- small island)

Where is My Way? (hint- directions)

Where is No Way?

Where is Success?

Where are the chairs? (hint- corner)

Where is the bike? (hint- corner)

Where is she sitting? (hint- car)

What part of the building are they standing in front of? (hint- building)

What side of the paper did he paint? (hint- paper)

Quiz

1. Q: The label is _____ the bottle. A)in

B)atC)on

Answer

The label is on the bottle

Question

2. Q: Jack is waiting _____ the bottom of the stairs.

A)inB)atC)on

Answer

Jack is waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

Question

3. Q: Our seats are _____ the third row. A)in

B)atC)on

Answer

Our seats are in the third row

Question

4. Q: Turn left _____ the lights. A)in

B)atC)on

Answer

Turn left at the lights

Question

5. Q: He's sitting ______ the chair next to the piano.

A)inB)atC)on

Answer

He's sitting on the chair next to the piano.

Question

6. Q: I met Jack _____ the street. A)in

B)atC)on

Answer

I met Jack in the street.

Question

7. Q: He has a lot of beautiful pictures _____ the wall.

A)inB)atC)on

Answer

He has a lot of beautiful pictures on the wall.

Question

8. Q: I live _____ the fifth floor of my apartment building.

A)inB)atC)on

Answer

I live on the fifth floor of my apartment building.

Question

9. Q: We waited for over an hour _____ the bus-stop.

A)inB)atC)on

Answer

We waited for over an hour at the bus-stop.

Question

10. Q: Who is that woman _____ the photograph?

A)inB)atC)on

Answer

Who is that woman in the photograph?

Question

11. Q: You will find an explanation _____ page 18.

A)inB)atC)on

Answer

You will find an explanation on page 18.

Question

12. Q: Paris is _____ the river Seine. A)in

B)atC)on

Answer

Paris is on the river Seine

Question

13. Q: The instructions are _____ the back of the box.

A)inB)atC)on

Answer

The instructions are on the back of the box.

Question

14. Q: What do you have _____ your hands?

A)inB)atC)on

Answer

What do you have in your hands?

Question

15. Q: Can you see who is _____ the door? A)in

B)atC)on

Answer

Can you see who is at the door?