Prepositions Of Place Exercises
Understanding Prepositions of Place
Prepositions of place help us describe where something is located. These small but powerful words like “in,” “on,” and “at” are essential for giving directions, describing scenes, and explaining positions. For English language learners, mastering these prepositions can be challenging as their usage often differs from other languages.
Let’s explore various prepositions of place and practice them through targeted exercises to strengthen your understanding and usage.
Basic Prepositions of Place: At, In, On
The three most common prepositions of place are “at,” “in,” and “on.” While they may seem simple, they follow specific rules and contexts.
Using “At”
We use “at” for:
– Specific points or locations: at the bus stop, at the corner
– Addresses without mentioning the building: at 42 Oak Street
– Events: at a concert, at a meeting
– Places for specific purposes: at school, at work (focusing on the purpose rather than the building)
Using “In”
We use “in” for:
– Enclosed spaces: in a box, in a room
– Larger areas or regions: in France, in the desert
– Cities, towns, and countries: in London, in Canada
– Liquids, materials, and substances: in water, in the air
Using “On”
We use “on” for:
– Surfaces: on the table, on the wall
– Public transport: on the bus, on a plane
– Floors of a building: on the first floor
– Streets: on Main Street
– Islands: on Cuba
Practice Exercise 1: At, In, On
Complete the sentences by choosing the correct preposition of place.
| Sentence | Correct Preposition |
|---|---|
| 1. The book is _____ the shelf. | on |
| 2. We’re meeting _____ the restaurant. | at |
| 3. She lives _____ Paris. | in |
| 4. The children are playing _____ the garden. | in |
| 5. There’s a fly _____ the ceiling. | on |
| 6. I’ll see you _____ the entrance. | at |
| 7. The cat is sleeping _____ the sofa. | on |
| 8. We had dinner _____ a nice café. | at |
Other Important Prepositions of Place
Beyond the basic three, there are many other prepositions that help us describe more specific positions.
Describing Relative Positions
– Next to / Beside: The lamp is next to the bed.
– Between: The book is between the lamp and the clock.
– In front of: The cat is sitting in front of the fireplace.
– Behind: The child is hiding behind the curtain.
– Under: The ball rolled under the table.
– Over: The bridge goes over the river.
– Above: The plane is flying above the clouds.
– Below: The fish are swimming below the surface.
– Near: We live near the park.
– By: Let’s meet by the fountain.
Movement and Direction
– Across: We walked across the street.
– Through: The train passes through the tunnel.
– Into: She went into the house.
– Out of: He came out of the building.
– Toward/Towards: The dog ran toward its owner.
– Away from: The boat drifted away from the shore.
Practice Exercise 2: Relative Positions
Look at the descriptions and choose the correct preposition.
| Description | Correct Preposition |
|---|---|
| 1. The cat is sleeping _____ the table. | under |
| 2. The woman is standing _____ the two men. | between |
| 3. The painting is hanging _____ the sofa. | above |
| 4. The child is hiding _____ the tree. | behind |
| 5. The dog is sitting _____ its owner. | next to |
| 6. The clouds are _____ the mountain. | over |
| 7. The flowers are growing _____ the fence. | along |
| 8. The bird flew _____ the window. | through |
Common Mistakes with Prepositions of Place
Many English learners struggle with certain preposition patterns. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Confusion Between “In” and “At”
– Correct: I work in a hospital. (referring to the building)
– Correct: I am at work. (referring to the activity)
Misusing “In” and “On” with Transportation
– Correct: In a car, in a taxi
– Correct: On a bus, on a train, on a plane
Forgetting Prepositions with Places
– Correct: At home, at work, at school
– Incorrect: I am home. (missing preposition)
Practice Exercise 3: Correcting Common Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in these sentences.
| Incorrect Sentence | Corrected Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. I’ll see you on the airport. | I’ll see you at the airport. |
| 2. She’s in the bus now. | She’s on the bus now. |
| 3. We’re waiting at the line. | We’re waiting in the line. |
| 4. The book is over the shelf. | The book is on the shelf. |
| 5. He lives on London. | He lives in London. |
| 6. I’ll meet you in the corner. | I’ll meet you at the corner. |
Picture-Based Preposition Practice
Visual exercises are particularly effective for learning prepositions of place. Below is a description-based exercise that helps you visualize scenes and apply the correct prepositions.
Imagining a Living Room Scene
Complete the description with appropriate prepositions:
There is a comfortable living room with various furniture pieces. A cat is sleeping _____ the sofa. A coffee table sits _____ the sofa and the television. There’s a bookshelf _____ the wall, with many books arranged _____ it. A plant stands _____ the corner of the room, and a lamp is positioned _____ the end table. A rug lies _____ the wooden floor, and a ceiling fan hangs _____ the room. The remote control is _____ the coffee table, and a painting is hung _____ the sofa.
Answers: on, between, against, on, in, on, on, above, on, above
Prepositions of Place in Context: Giving Directions
One practical application of prepositions of place is giving directions. Practice with this exercise:
Finding Your Way
Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions:
To get to the library from the train station, exit _____ the main entrance and turn right. Walk _____ the street until you reach the traffic light. Turn left and go _____ the bridge. The museum will be _____ your right, but don’t stop there. Continue walking and take the second street _____ your left. The library is the large building _____ the end of this street, _____ the park and the café.
Answers: through, along/down, across, on, on, at, between
Advanced Prepositions of Place Exercise
For more advanced learners, try this exercise that combines multiple prepositions in complex situations:
| Scenario | Fill in the Prepositions |
|---|---|
| 1. The spy hid the documents _____ a secret compartment _____ the floorboards _____ the bed. | in, beneath/under, under |
| 2. We found our hotel room _____ the third floor, _____ the elevator and _____ from the ice machine. | on, next to, across |
| 3. The cat jumped _____ the counter, walked _____ the vase, and then settled _____ the windowsill. | onto, around, on |
| 4. The painting hung _____ the fireplace, _____ two smaller photographs, slightly _____ eye level. | above, between, above |
Practical Tips for Mastering Prepositions of Place
Visualization Technique
Create mental images when learning prepositions. If you’re trying to remember the difference between “under” and “below,” picture specific examples that highlight the distinction.
Contextual Learning
Learn prepositions in phrases or sentences rather than in isolation. For example, memorize “at the corner,” “in the box,” and “on the table” instead of just the prepositions themselves.
Regular Practice
Use prepositions in your daily conversations or writing. The more you practice, the more natural they’ll become.
Listen and Read
Pay attention to how native speakers use prepositions in books, movies, or conversations. Notice patterns and exceptions.
Conclusion
Prepositions of place are fundamental building blocks of English communication. Through consistent practice with exercises like those provided above, you can develop confidence and accuracy in using these important words. Remember that some preposition usage may vary between different varieties of English, and there are occasional exceptions to the rules.
Keep practicing with real-life scenarios, visual aids, and contextual examples to strengthen your understanding. With time and practice, using the correct prepositions of place will become second nature, allowing you to describe locations and give directions with clarity and precision.