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General English · A1

Prepositions of place: position

Describe where people and things are in relation to other things.

What you will learn

  • Describe position with common place prepositions.
  • Distinguish next to, between and opposite.
  • Use complete phrases such as in front of.

Narsaning joyini boshqa narsaga nisbatan ayting: stol ostida, eshik yonida yoki ikki bino orasida. Predlogdan keyin odatda ot yoki olmosh keladi.

A place preposition links a person or thing to a reference point: the bag is under the chair. In means inside; on means on a surface; under means lower than something, often directly beneath it. Next to means beside. Between places something in the middle of two reference points. Opposite means facing across a space. In front of and behind describe the front and back sides. Above and below compare height; over can also mean above or covering something.

Grammar Tables

On small screens, swipe tables sideways.

Inside, surface and height
PrepositionMeaningExample
ininsideThe socks are in the drawer.
ontouching a surfaceThe cup is on the tray.
underbeneathThe shoes are under the bench.
above / overhigher thanThe lamp hangs above the table.
belowlower thanThe shelf is below the window.
Around a reference point
PrepositionMeaningExample
next to / besideat the sideSit next to me.
betweenin the middle of twoThe café is between the bank and the shop.
oppositefacing across a spaceThe school is opposite the park.
in front ofon the front sideThe taxi is in front of the hotel.
behindon the back sideThe garden is behind the house.
nearnot far awayThere’s a bus stop near my home.

Examples

Lower position

The cat is asleep under the sofa.

Mushuk divan tagida uxlayapti.

Higher position

There’s a mirror above the sink.

Rakovina tepasida oyna bor.

Two reference points

My seat is between yours and Lola’s.

Joyim sizniki bilan Lolaniki orasida.

Back side

A small yard is behind the building.

Bino orqasida kichik hovli bor.

Facing across a space

The bakery is opposite the library, across the road.

Novvoyxona kutubxona ro‘parasida, yo‘lning narigi tomonida.

Common Mistakes

Avoid: The chair is next the bed.

Use: The chair is next to the bed.

Next to is a two-word preposition; keep to.

Avoid: Wait in front the door.

Use: Wait in front of the door.

The full phrase is in front of.

Avoid: The park is between the school to the river.

Use: The park is between the school and the river.

Link the two reference points with and.

Avoid: He is sitting behind of me.

Use: He is sitting behind me.

Behind takes its object directly, without of.

Practice & Feedback

Practise freely. Scores stay on this page only and reset when you leave or reload. Feedback appears after checking each exercise.

1 · Read the position

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. The keys are inside a closed box. They are ___ the box.
2. The plate rests on the table’s top surface. It is ___ the table.
3. The dog is on the floor directly beneath the desk. It is ___ the desk.
4. In a row: bank – café – shop. The café is ___ the bank and the shop.
5. The bus stop faces the museum across the street. It is ___ the museum.
6. The car is at the back of the house. It is ___ the house.
7. A person stands on the front side of the camera, ready for a photo. They are ___ it.
8. The picture is higher than the shelf. It is ___ the shelf.
9. The cupboard is lower than the window. It is ___ the window.
10. The shop is a short walk away. It is ___ our home.

Answer every question to check this exercise.

2 · Complete the phrase

Type the missing word. Follow the given phrase or meaning.

1. The lamp is next ___ the bed.
2. The bench is in front ___ the school.
3. The ball is between the chair ___ the wall.
4. Stand ___ front of me.
5. The cups are ___ the cupboard. (Inside it.)
6. The bird is ___ the roof. (Resting on its surface.)
7. The ball is ___ the bed. (Directly beneath it.)
8. The bus is ___ the lorry. (At its back, not its front.)
9. The screen is next to ___. (Use the object form of I.)
10. The table is in front of ___. (Use the object form of they.)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

3 · Use complete expressions

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. Choose the correct sentence.
2. Choose the correct sentence about the front side.
3. Choose the correct sentence about the back side.
4. Choose the correct phrase.
5. A ceiling fan is higher than the table. It is ___ it.
6. A blanket covers the sleeping child. It is ___ the child.
7. Choose the correct pronoun: ‘Sit beside ___.’
8. The café faces the library across the square. Choose the matching sentence.
9. My seat is directly beside yours. It is ___ yours.
10. The books are inside the bag. Choose the matching sentence.

Answer every question to check this exercise.

Review

  • Describe the relation to a reference point: in the box, under the table, opposite the shop.
  • Keep next to and in front of complete. Use between A and B.
  • Use object pronouns after prepositions: beside me, behind her.
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