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Use: 
Use prepositions of place to describe where something is.

The ball is on the box.

The ball is in the box.

 

The ball is under the box.

 

The ball is over the box.

The ball is next to the box.

 

The ball is between the two boxes.

 

The ball is near (to) the box.

 

The ball is in front of the box.

 

The ball is behind the box.

 

 

In is also used in these situations:

Countries, cities, villages: We live in France / in Paris / in Madrid.

the world: the highest building in the world.

mountains and valleys: They have a cottage in the mountains / in a valley.

buildings: She works in a bank.

water: Don’t swim in the sea / the river / the lake.

the middle / centre: He lives in the middle of Paris / in the city centre.

books / films / newspaper: Which film was that actor in? I read about it in the newspaper.

 

 

On is also used in these situations:

walls, ceilings, doors, floor:She hung the picture on the ceiling / the wall / the door.

surfaces: There’s a dirty mark on the page / table

the front / side/ back: There’s a label in on the box / bottle

left / right: The school is on the left.

Floors: Jim’s office is on the second floor.

lists / menus: What’s on the menu? Did you buy everything on the list?

roads: I live on Jackson street. The nearest gas station is on the motorway. The post box is on the way to work.

natural lines and borders: He lives on the coast. London is on the River Thames.

 

 

 

At is also used in these situations:

the top / bottom (of a page): Sign your name at the top / bottom.

Directions: Turn left at the traffic lights / roundabout / end of the street.

Position (next to something): Wait at the traffic lights / corner / tree.

the front / the back: I wrote my name at the front / back of the book.

the beginning / the end: What happened at the beginning / end of the film?

events: I met him at a party / conference / football match

buildings: I’ll meet you at the airport / the station / home

 

Common mistakes:

1. Some students miss out part of the prepositional phrases.

I live next a small shop. =>I live next to a small shop.

I parked the car in front the building. =>I parked the car in front of the building.

2. Some students add a second preposition where it is not necessary.

Your bag is behind ofthe door.=>