The Brooklyn Bridge photographed at sundown with the New York skyline in the background

Activities: “What are prepositions of place in English grammar?”

By: Erin Kuester
Associated Articles

These activities are part of our English Grammar series. The skills we are practicing here are covered in our article:

Activity 1: ‘at,’ ‘on,’ or ‘in’?

At, on, and in are common prepositions of place, used to tell us where something or someone is in relationship to another person or thing. Each of the sentences below is missing at, on, or in. Which preposition do you think goes with each sentence?

Remember the rules!

  • at + specific location or point

  • on + surfaces, lines, or transportation

  • in + enclosed spaces or containers

  • Patrick lives 8250 University Avenue.

  • My best friend lives China.

  • You can put the groceries the table. Thanks!

  • Tonight we’re eating dinner the new Italian restaurant.

  • My favorite clothing store is 35th Street.

  • I think someone is the door. Can you check?

  • The man the green sweater is my boss.

  • My mom just called and said she’s going to be TV tonight!

  • The clean plates are the dishwasher.

  • Can you help me hang this picture the wall?

  • I think I’ll put this new chair the living room.

  • My parents need me to pick them up the airport.

  • Nina always gives up her seat for elderly people the bus.

  • I keep all my shoes the closet by the door.

Activity 2: Leo’s new apartment

A photo of a modern living room decorated in gray, black, and white. There are two couches, positioned on the far side and the left side of a square right rug. In the middle of the rug is a round black coffee table with a small vase on it. A hanging lamp is centered over the coffee table. On the wall behind the couch on the opposite side of the room are two windows with white curtains. Positioned between the two windows is a tall mirror with a white frame. Both couches have black and white cushions, and a white blanket is draped on the back of the sofa on the left. Above this sofa a silver and white clock hangs on the wall. On the right side of the room are two black book cases and, between them, a television sitting on a black console. The book cases contain decorative objects. A black and white painting of a flower hangs over the TV. We can just see the corner of a bin of throw pillows positioned just to the right of the camera.

Leo just moved into a new apartment and he’s talking to his mom on the phone. His mom wants to know what Leo’s apartment looks like. Can you help Leo describe his apartment to his mom? Match the prepositions of place to the blanks!

above
around
on
at
beside
between
in front of
opposite
over
under

  1. There is a white rug the coffee table.

  2. There are white curtains the windows.

  3. There are black and white pillows the couch.

  4. The coffee table is the center of the room.

  5. There are two bookshelves the television.

  6. The couches are positioned the rug.

  7. The TV is the couch.

    8. → Around is can be for something that completely surrounds or partially surrounds something else.

  8. There is a blanket draped the back of the couch.

  9. There is a mirror the windows.

  10. There’s a painting the TV.

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