in, on, at, under, next to

A preposition of place goes before a noun and says where a person or thing is.

In, on and at

• in – inside something with sides, walls or edges: in the box, in the kitchen, in the car, in Manchester
• on – touching a surface: on the table, on the wall, on the floor
• at – at a point, or a place where something happens: at the bus stop, at the door, at home, at work

At the café says where you meet or what you're doing. In the café says you're inside the building.

Other words for place

• under – lower than something, with it above: under the table
• next to – at the side of: next to the bank
• behind – at the back of: behind the door
• in front of – before the front of: in front of the school
• between – with one thing on each side: between the bank and the café
• opposite – on the other side, facing it: opposite the station
• near – not far from: near my flat

Transport

You are in a car or a taxi, but on a bus, a train, a plane or a bike.

Addresses

For a street, American English uses on, and British English uses in or on. With the house number, use at.

Common mistakes

• × in the bus → on the bus
• × on home → at home
• × a picture in the wall → a picture on the wall
• × next the bank → next to the bank
• × in front the school → in front of the school
• × opposite of the station → opposite the station