ESL Beginners How to Use Prepositions of Place

Prepositions are used to show relationships between objects, people, and places. The prepositions in, on, and at are often used to express these relationships, as are into, onto and out of. This guide to the prepositions of place provides basic rules for beginning level English learners and classes. Each preposition  is presented has with explanations of proper use and examples to help with understanding. Important exceptions are also included at the end of the lesson.   How to Use the Preposition 'In' Use in with cities, regions, counties, states,  and countries I live in Portland which is a city in Oregon.She works in Seattle which is in King County.   Use in with spaces that you can physically walk into, or place something into. These could be inside or buildings or outside as well. in a room / in a building (indoors)in a garden / in a park (outdoors) Examples: Lets meet in the gym after class.  Im going to see Tom in that building over there.I enjoy walking in the garden at dusk.Shes out jogging with her friends in the park.   Use in with bodies of water: in the waterin the sea / river / lake / pond / ocean Examples: That duck is swimming in the water.  You can see the fish in the water.Unfortunately, theres a lot of pollution in this sea.How many fishing lines can you see in the river? Use in with lines: in a row / line / queue   Examples: There are so many people standing in that queue.  Please stand in a row and let me count you.Youll have to stand in that line over there.   How to Use the Preposition 'At' Use at with places in a town, city or other community: at the bus-stop / movies / shopping mall / park / museum / etc.   Examples: Ill meet you at the bus stop.I saw Peter at the movies last night.I was at the shopping mall and decided I had to buy this sweater.  Lets see the exhibit at the museum.   Use at with places on a page: at the top / bottom of the page Examples Youll find the page number at the top of the page.  Make sure to read the notes at the bottom of the page.   Use at with places within a room or large space: at the back / front  of the class / room / stadium   Examples I think youll find him at the front of the class.Theyre seated at the back of the bus.   How to Use the Preposition 'On' Use on with vertical or horizontal surfaces that you can lay something onto, or attach something to: on the ceiling /  wall / floor / table / etc.   Examples I left the magazine on that table.  Isnt that a beautiful painting on the wall?You have such lovely candles on the mantelpiece.   Use on with  islands: I stayed on Maui.Have you seen the volcano on the smaller island? Use on with directions: on the left  /  on the right /  straight on Examples Take the next turn on the left.His house is on the right.Drive straight on to the stop light.   How to Use the Preposition 'Into' Use into to  express movement  from one area into another: I drove into the garage and parked the car.Peter walked into the living room and turned on the TV. How to Use the Preposition 'Onto' Use onto to show that someone puts something onto a surface: He put the magazines onto the table.Alice put the plates onto the shelf in the cupboard. How to Use the Preposition 'Out of' Use out of when moving something towards you or when leaving a room: I took the clothes out of the washer.He drove out of the garage.   Important Notes and Exceptions In the corner of a room, but at or on the corner of a street. Thats a pretty box in the corner of the room.Ill get off at the next corner.   In / at / on the front versus  in the front or in the back of a car Can you hand me the sandwich in the front of the car?My jacket is in the back of the car.   At the front / back of buildings / groups of people Hes standing at the front of the crowd.Youll find him at the back of the parking garage. On the front / back of a piece of paper Write your name on the front of the test and hand it in.Make sure to check if there are any questions on the back of the page.