Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of Place (B2–C1): Meaning, Use & Common Pitfalls

Prepositions of place are small words, but they cause surprisingly big problems — even for advanced learners. At B2–C1 level, mistakes rarely come from not knowing the preposition, but from choosing one that is too general, too vague, or slightly off in meaning.

In this lesson, we will focus on using prepositions of place precisely — the way native speakers do — and on understanding the small differences that matter in Cambridge exams, formal writing, and natural spoken English.

In

Inside an enclosed space or area.

• The cat was sleeping in the cradle.

• She lives in a small village near the coast.

In suggests being surrounded on all sides, either physically or conceptually.

Inside

In the interior of something, with clear emphasis on being enclosed.

• There’s some lemon water inside the jug.

• Because of the storm, everyone stayed inside.

We use inside when we want to highlight the contrast with being outdoors or to make the idea of enclosure clear.

Outside

In the open air, not within a building or enclosed space.

• It’s raining outside.

• Let’s wait outside the building.

Outside is often used on its own when the location is obvious from the situation.

In front of

Positioned before something, facing it.

• There’s a beautiful garden in front of our house.

• He parked in front of the school.

Do not confuse with before, which is usually about time.

Behind

At the back of something.

• Peter noticed a car behind them while driving.

• The keys were hidden behind the cupboard.

On

Touching and supported by a surface.

• She placed the vase on the table.

• There’s a label on the bottle.

On implies contact with a surface.

At

At a specific point or exact position.

• Jane is sitting at her desk, writing an email.

• We’ll meet at the entrance.

At focuses on position, not size or shape.

Around / Round

Surrounding something or very close to it.

• The station is just around the corner.

• There were people round the table.

Round is common in British English, especially in speech.

Between

In the space separating two people or things.

• They sat on the bench between two trees.

• The café is between the bank and the post office.

Among

In the middle of a group of more than two.

• Harry stood out among the other children.

• She felt comfortable among friends.

Between = two | among = three or more.

Next to

Directly beside something.

• Laura sat next to her son.

• The pharmacy is next to the bakery.

Near

Close in distance, but not necessarily touching.

• There’s a large supermarket near our house.

• He lives near the city centre.

Less precise than next to.

By / Beside

At the side of something.

• Mario left his bag by the door.

• Jane was standing beside her husband in the photo.

Beside sounds slightly more formal than by.

Under / Underneath

Below something, often covered by it.

• The ball rolled under the table.

• She placed her bag underneath the chair.

Underneath is more emphatic and descriptive.

Below

At a lower level than something else.

• He played the guitar below her window.

• Temperatures dropped below zero.

Often used for levels, measurements, and positions.

Above

At a higher level than something, without touching it.

• Please place your bags above your heads.

• The lamp hangs above the table.

Above focuses on vertical position, not contact.

On top of

Directly over something, with physical contact.

• There was a ribbon on top of her head.

• He left his phone on top of the book.

Use on top of when one object is resting on another.

Opposite

Facing something on the other side of a space, road, or area.

• She lives opposite the bus station.

• The café is opposite the school.

Opposite highlights direct facing position, not distance.

Against

Touching something for support or resistance, usually vertically.

• He leaned his bike against the wall.

• The ladder was resting against the house.

It often suggests support, pressure, or physical contact.

At advanced level, prepositions are less about grammar rules and more about how you picture space.

Before choosing a preposition, slow down and imagine the position:

Is something touching? supported? surrounded? facing something else?

These small decisions are exactly what separate a strong B2 answer from a confident C1 one — and they make your English sound calm, precise, and natural.

Learn about prepositions of movement here

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