Grammar · Sentence structure
Prepositions of place
Formula: in · on · at · under · over · between…
B1
Quick answer
The 4 main uses
1. In: inside
Use in for something inside a container or an area, and for cities and countries.
“The book is in the bag. I live in Paris.”
2. On: on a surface (touching it)
Use on when something touches the top or the side of a surface.
“The book is on the table.”
3. At: at a specific point
Use at for a point or a place where something happens. At home means in your house.
“I am at the bus stop. She is at home.”
4. Other common prepositions
Under = lower than something. Over = higher than something. Between = in the middle of two things. Next to = very close, at the side.
“The cat is under the bed. The painting is over the sofa.”
Common mistakes to avoid
In vs at for places
In = inside, in an area (in Paris, in the kitchen). At = at a specific point (at the bus stop, at the door, at home). With an address: at 10 Downing Street.
On the train vs in the car
Use on for public transport (on the bus, on the train, on the plane). Use in for cars (in the car, in a taxi). The verbs follow the same logic: you get on a bus, but you get into a car.
At school vs in school
At school = at the school building, during lessons. In school = being a pupil, part of the school system (common in American English). In British English, at school is more common.
Related pages: Prepositions of place
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Going further
Prepositions of place: often tested in the English contest
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between in, on and at?+
In = inside something (in the box, in Paris). On = on a surface (on the table). At = at a specific point (at the door, at the bus stop). They have three different meanings.
Why do we say on the bus but in the car?+
Use on for public transport (on the bus, on the train, on the plane). Use in for cars and small vehicles (in the car, in a taxi). This is a rule of English: you get on a bus, but you get into a car.
Is it at home or in home?+
At home = in your house: I am at home. Never in home. It is a fixed expression.
Do you use in or at with cities?+
Use in for cities and countries: in Paris, in France, in Japan. Use at for an exact address: at 10 Downing Street.
What are the other common prepositions of place?+
Under (lower than), over (higher than, not touching), above (higher than, more general), below (lower than), between (in the middle of two things), among (in a group of several things), next to / beside (at the side of), behind (at the back of), in front of (facing the front of).
Updated on 27 October 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 27 October 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/grammar/prepositions-of-place
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.