======Prepositions of place: in, on, at, next to======
=====Introduction=====
The laptop is on the desk. The cup is next to the laptop. The flowers are in a vase.
=====Definition=====
We use the prepositions 'in', 'on', 'at' and 'next to' to for location and position.
=====Uses=====
^ ^ **Uses** ^ **Examples** ^
| **in** | **An enclosed space**|**in a box, a bag, a room, a cupboard, a cup**|
|:::|**Towns, cities, states, countries, continents etc.**|**in Birmingham, Kent, California, Japan, Asia**|
|:::|**Other large areas**|**in the countryside, a neighbourhood, a district, a park, a car park, a garden, the world**|
|:::|**Roads**|**in a street, a road, an avenue, the High Street, Bingley Road [UK]**|
|:::|**Pictures and documents**|**in** **a picture, a photo, a painting, a report, an email, a contract, a newspaper, a magazine,a book, a film** |
|:::|**Some (smaller) forms of transport**|**in a car, a taxi, a helicopter, an open boat** |
| **on** |**A surface - horizontal or vertical**|**on** **the table, the wall, a shelf, a screen,** **a plate, a face, a head, page 2, the front cover of the book, the menu**|
|:::|**Transport and travel**|**on a bus, train, a boat, a ship, a flight, a trip, a journey, a picnic, a bike ride, a break, holiday**|
|:::|**Some locations** |**on the left, the right, the side, the coast, the beach, the 2****nd floor**\\ **on an island, a farm, a college campus**\\ **on a road/street/avenue etc. [mainly US]**\\ **on a motorway, the High Street, Oxford Street [i.e. main roads] **|
| **on (the) top of** |**At the highest point of something tall or high**|**on top of** **a cupboard, wardrobe, a hill, a mountain **|
| **at** |**Some locations that are buildings**| **at the cinema, the theatre, the pub, a restaurant, work, home, school, university**|
|:::|**Some other locations**|**at the beach, the lake**|
|:::|**A point on a journey**|**at a junction, traffic lights, a corner, a bus stop**|
|:::|**An address**|**at 88 Bingley Road, 10 Downing Street** |
|:::|**Positions**|**at the back, the front, the top, the bottom, the end** |
===== 'In’ and ‘out’ =====
**As adverbs, these can be used alone to mean 'here' or 'not here':**
* **"Can I speak to Jack, please?"**
* **"Sorry, he's not in today. Can I take a message?" [not at work]**
* **I'm the only person at home today. Everyone else is out. [not at home]**
* **We're going* out later, maybe to the cinema; we're not sure yet.**
* **I didn't hear you come in last night; what time was it?**
[[en:grammar:home|{{ :file_-_back_3_.png?150 }}]]
=====Examples=====
| | |
| 
They're in an office. | 
She's in London. |
| | |
| 
She's at the reception desk. | 
They're at work. |
| | |
| 
Emily is on the sofa. 
| 
The pictures are on the wall. 
|
| | |
| The red wine is next to the white wine. | Sue's next to Jim. |