20.7. Basic Prepositions of Place (in, on, under, behind, next to): Prepositions with Furniture and Rooms

Learning prepositions of place is a fundamental aspect of mastering English at the A1 level. Prepositions help us describe the position or location of objects and people in relation to each other. In this lesson, we'll focus on the basic prepositions of place: in, on, under, behind, and next to, particularly in the context of furniture and rooms.

Understanding Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place are words that describe where something or someone is located. They are essential for giving directions and describing locations. Let's explore each preposition and see how it can be used with furniture and rooms.

1. In

The preposition in is used to indicate that something is inside a space. It is commonly used with rooms and enclosed spaces. For example:

• The cat is in the living room.
• The books are in the bookshelf.
• The clothes are in the wardrobe.

When using in, imagine that the object is surrounded by the boundaries of the space.

2. On

The preposition on is used when something is resting on a surface. It is often used with furniture that has a flat surface, such as tables, shelves, and floors. For example:

• The vase is on the table.
• The laptop is on the desk.
• The rug is on the floor.

Think of on as indicating contact with a surface.

3. Under

The preposition under is used to describe something that is below or beneath another object. It is often used with furniture that has space underneath, like tables and beds. For example:

• The shoes are under the bed.
• The dog is under the table.
• The ball is under the chair.

When using under, visualize the object being covered or sheltered by something else.

4. Behind

The preposition behind is used to indicate that something is at the back of another object. It is useful for describing locations where one object obscures another from view. For example:

• The painting is behind the sofa.
• The garden is behind the house.
• The clock is behind the curtain.

Think of behind as something being hidden from the front view.

5. Next to

The preposition next to is used to describe something that is beside or adjacent to another object. It is often used to show proximity between two objects. For example:

• The lamp is next to the sofa.
• The refrigerator is next to the stove.
• The chair is next to the desk.

When using next to, imagine the objects being side by side.

Using Prepositions in Sentences

Now that we understand the basic prepositions of place, let's practice using them in sentences. Here are some examples:

• The television is in the living room, on the TV stand.
• The cat is sleeping on the couch, under the warm blanket.
• The keys are behind the vase on the shelf.
• The book is next to the lamp on the bedside table.

These sentences help us visualize the relationship between different objects and their locations.

Practicing with Furniture and Rooms

To effectively learn prepositions of place, it's helpful to practice with familiar settings like furniture and rooms. Here are some activities you can try:

Activity 1: Describe Your Room

Take a moment to describe your room using prepositions of place. For example:

• My bed is in the corner of the room.
• The nightstand is next to the bed.
• The window is behind the desk.
• The rug is on the floor, under the coffee table.

This exercise helps you apply prepositions to real-life scenarios.

Activity 2: Create a Floor Plan

Draw a simple floor plan of a room and label the furniture using prepositions. For example:

• The sofa is in the center of the room.
• The bookshelf is against the wall, next to the window.
• The dining table is on the right side of the room.
• The plants are under the window, behind the sofa.

This visual activity reinforces the spatial relationships described by prepositions.

Conclusion

Understanding and using prepositions of place is crucial for effective communication in English. By practicing with furniture and rooms, you can enhance your ability to describe locations accurately. Remember, in indicates being inside a space, on refers to contact with a surface, under describes being beneath something, behind indicates being at the back, and next to shows proximity. With consistent practice, you will become more confident in using these prepositions in everyday conversations.

Next page of the Free Ebook:

83Basic Prepositions of Place (in, on, under, behind, next to): Interactive Activities for Learning Prepositions

4 minutes