20.3. Basic Prepositions of Place: Prepositions in Questions

Understanding prepositions of place is crucial for any beginner learning English. These small but powerful words help us describe the position of objects and people in a space. In this lesson, we will focus on five fundamental prepositions of place: in, on, under, behind, and next to. Additionally, we will explore how these prepositions are used in questions, which is an essential skill for everyday communication.

Prepositions of Place

Before we dive into questions, let's review the basic meanings of these prepositions:

• In: This preposition indicates that something is inside a space. For example, "The cat is in the box."
• On: Use this preposition when something is resting on a surface. For example, "The book is on the table."
• Under: This preposition shows that something is below or beneath something else. For instance, "The shoes are under the bed."
• Behind: Use this when something is at the back of something else. For example, "The chair is behind the desk."
• Next to: This indicates that something is beside or adjacent to something else. For instance, "The lamp is next to the sofa."

Prepositions in Questions

When forming questions with prepositions of place, the structure of the sentence can change slightly. Let's explore how to construct such questions:

1. Using "Where" Questions

"Where" questions are the most common way to inquire about the location of something or someone. The structure generally follows this pattern:

Where + is/are + subject + preposition of place + object?

Examples:

• Where is the cat? - The cat is in the box.
• Where are the keys? - The keys are on the table.
• Where is the dog? - The dog is under the chair.
• Where is the book? - The book is behind the television.
• Where is the phone? - The phone is next to the computer.

2. Using "Is/Are" Questions

Another way to form questions is by starting with "is" or "are," followed by the subject. This structure is often used to confirm the position of something:

Is/Are + subject + preposition of place + object?

Examples:

• Is the cat in the box? - Yes, the cat is in the box.
• Are the keys on the table? - No, the keys are in the drawer.
• Is the dog under the chair? - Yes, the dog is under the chair.
• Is the book behind the television? - No, the book is on the shelf.
• Is the phone next to the computer? - Yes, the phone is next to the computer.

3. Using "What" Questions

Sometimes, we use "what" questions to ask about the object occupying a particular position. The structure looks like this:

What is + preposition of place + object?

Examples:

• What is in the box? - A cat is in the box.
• What is on the table? - A vase is on the table.
• What is under the chair? - A ball is under the chair.
• What is behind the desk? - A backpack is behind the desk.
• What is next to the sofa? - A lamp is next to the sofa.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding of prepositions of place in questions, try these exercises:

1. Ask where the following items are using the appropriate prepositions of place:
   • The pen (on the desk)
   • The shoes (under the bed)
   • The painting (behind the door)
   • The cat (in the box)
   • The chair (next to the table)
2. Form "is/are" questions to confirm the location of these items:
   • The book (on the shelf)
   • The keys (in the drawer)
   • The dog (under the chair)
   • The phone (next to the computer)
   • The plant (behind the curtain)
3. Create "what" questions for the following scenarios:
   • In the fridge
   • On the counter
   • Under the table
   • Behind the curtain
   • Next to the lamp

Conclusion

Mastering prepositions of place and their use in questions is an essential step in learning English. These prepositions help us accurately describe locations and ask questions about the positions of objects and people. By practicing these structures, you will enhance your ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations.

Remember, the key to mastering prepositions is practice. Use these exercises as a guide, and try to incorporate these prepositions into your daily conversations. With time and practice, you'll find that using prepositions of place becomes second nature.