Prepositions

of
place
and
direction
 Prepositions of place are used to refer to a place where something or
someone is located.

Prepositions of direction show us to where or in which direction

something or someone moves.

There are single word prepositions, like below, from or to, and prepositions that
consist of more than one word, like in between, out of or next to.
Prepositions describing direction

up down over away from towards across

into out of around through under

Prepositions describing place

above between on below under

in front of in next to behind

Place and direction – one word prepositions

Preposition Meaning
above higher than something else

across from one side to the other

against next to and touching or being supported by (something)

along in a line, from one point to another

situated more or less centrally in relation to several other things
among
or people
in a position or direction surrounding, or in a direction going
around
along the edge of or from one part to another (of)
behind at the back of

below lower than something else

by near or at the side of

down in or towards a low or lower position, from a higher one; along

from the point in place where someone or something starts

Place and direction – one word prepositions

Preposition Meaning
inside a container, place, or area, or surrounded or closed off by
in
something
into to the inside or middle of a place, container, area…
near close to someone or something
something is in a position above something else and touching it, or
on
something is moving into such a position
opposite in a position on the other side, facing
over above or higher than something else
through from one end or side of something to the other

to in the direction of

towards in the direction of, or closer to someone or something

under in or to a position below or lower than something else

up towards a higher position
Place and direction – more than one word
prepositions

Preposition Meaning

across from on the opposite side from someone or something

ahead of in front of, moving in the same direction

all over everywhere

away from at a distance

close by very near

close to from a short distance

Place and direction – more than one word
prepositions

Preposition Meaning

in between at a point between two other things

in front of in a position facing someone or something

near to at a short distance away from a place

next to very close to someone or something

on top of on the highest point

out of movement from inside to outside

Choose the correct preposition to complete each
sentence.

1. Working as a flight attendant gives her the opportunity to visit different cities
around (along / around / through) the world.
_________

between (behind / beside / between) each paragraph of

2. Include a space _________
your covering letter.

in front of (ahead of / in front of / over) the

3. We took our places on the mats _________
yoga instructor.

on top of (in between / into / on top

4. I see the solar panel technician _________
of) the roof.

out of (across / out of / towards) the flaming

5. This firefighter came _________
house with a scared cat in his arms.
Choose all the correct sentences.

1. Acupuncturists put needles all over your body.

2. The telecommunication line installer needs to climb through that

telephone pole.

3. My personal trainer is always among me demonstrating the correct

posture and movement.

4. Her husband works at an oil rig miles away from the coast.

5. Every assistant in the call centre room turned towards the

supervisor.