Prepositions of Places and Direction Usage

THROUGH: Through indicates a motion in the middle of something. Example: We drove through the tunnel. They came through a forest. He came through a wedding gate.

Among: Among indicates something/someone to be in the middle of three or more other things or persons. Example: Alex is sitting among the patients. He is the best among them. Among all the people, John had the courage to speak up.

BETWEEN: Between indicates something/someone to be in the middle of two other things or persons. Example: Alex is sitting between Robin and Robert. The cat is between the two boxes. This matter is between you and him.

UP: Up means a motion towards a higher place or position. Example: We were climbing up the mountain. Lift your hands up. John is going up to London. (From a lower place of the country) Climb up the stairs.

BY: By means ‘near to or next to’ something or someone. Example: He has a house by the river. I was standing by the car. My flat is by the saloon.

TOWARDS: Towards means a motion in the direction of something literary or metaphorically. Example: Take five steps towards the post and stand there. They moved towards the Labour Party. I walked towards the car when you were standing.

BEHIND: Behind means at the far side of something (might be out of sight). It is opposite of in front of. Example: He parked his car behind my car. I have a pool behind my house. Go behind that tree.

IN FRONT OF In front of means a position facing someone/something. Example: He parked his car in front of my house. I have a pool in front of my resthouse. He was nervous in front of me.

BESIDE: Beside means at the side of/ next to something. Example: The car beside the cycle is mine. He is standing beside the shop. I will always be beside you.

DOWN: Down indicates the opposite meaning of up. It means a motion towards a lower place or position. Example: He was walking down the river. I am climbing down the hill. Go down the stairs.

ACROSS: Across means going to the other side of a river or road or something straight. Example: He went across the river. I walked across the road. My house is across the bank. (There is a road between the house and the bank)

Prepositions of place show the relationship of place between the nouns to the other parts of a sentence.

OUT OF: Out of means the opposite of into. It indicates a motion towards outside of something. Example: He is going out of the town. Get out of my house. Please, remain out of this. (Not indicating a place but an issue)

INTO: Into indicates a motion towards/going inside something. It has many uses. Example: He came into the house. The police broke into the bar. My car crashed into a street sign.

FROM From indicates the point of place at which a motion, journey, or action starts. Example: He came from England. We walked from the beach to the farm. He drove here from Atlanta.

TO: To indicates a motion in the direction of a place. Example: He went to college. We are going to Mexico. We walked from the farm to the beach.

BELOW: Below indicates something at a slightly lower position than what under indicates. Example: I have a scar just below my right eye. Do you see the line below the paper? Please, don’t write below this line.

UNDER: Under is the opposite of on and means ‘below the surface of’ something. Example: The cat is under the table. The carpet under my feet is very soft. That book is under my glasses.

OVER Over means a position between on and above which is not touching. Example: There are clouds over the hills. A bird flew over my head. My flat is over that shop.

ABOVE: Above indicates a much higher position than the preposition on does. It also indicates something out of reach. Example: The sky is above my head. Hold your hands above your head. Stars are above the sky.

ON: On indicates a position above but touching the object. Example: The phone is on the table. (Phone is touching with the table) He is on the third floor. Sit on the sofa.

AT: At indicates an exact place. Example: He is at the door. I am standing at 13/4 George Street. He is at home.

IN: In indicates something to be present in a place or enclosure. It does not say particularly where but gives an enclosure to the noun it connects with. Example: Your shirt is in the closet. (Does not indicate an exact place) He lives in Australia. Alex works in that building.

Common prepositions of places & direction: on, at, in, by, from, to, towards, up, down, across, between, among, through, in front of, behind, above, over, under, below, etc. are the most common.