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English grammar

Where something is

A0 · Starter Place and direction Questions 10

The rule

A handful of small words carry almost every A0 answer to Where is …? in, on, under, next to, opposite, behind, between, near. They go in front of the place: in the fridge, on the table, next to the bakery. Two are worth separating now: in means inside something, on means touching a surface.

Pattern

in · on · under · next to · opposite · behind · between · near

Examples

  1. The milk is in the fridge.

  2. Your keys are on the table.

  3. The pharmacy is next to the bakery.

  4. The bank is opposite the school.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: The keys are in the table.

    Right: The keys are on the table.

    in is inside; a table top is a surface, so on.

  • Wrong: next the bakery

    Right: next to the bakery

    next needs its to. next to is one expression.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    The milk is _____ the fridge.

    1. under
    2. in
    3. on
    4. at
    Show answer

    Answer: B The milk is in the fridge.

    Inside something → in.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    Your keys are _____ the table.

    1. between
    2. under
    3. on
    4. in
    Show answer

    Answer: C Your keys are on the table.

    Touching a surface → on.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    The bag is _____ the bed.

    1. under
    2. in
    3. on
    4. near
    Show answer

    Answer: A The bag is under the bed.

    Below something → under.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    The café is _____ the shop and the bank.

    1. next to
    2. opposite
    3. between
    4. behind
    Show answer

    Answer: C The café is between the shop and the bank.

    With two places named → between.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    The car park is _____ the building.

    1. on
    2. in
    3. between
    4. behind
    Show answer

    Answer: D The car park is behind the building.

    At the back of it → behind.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The bank is opposite of the school.
    2. The bank opposite is the school.
    3. The bank is opposite to the school.
    4. The bank is opposite the school.
    Show answer

    Answer: D The bank is opposite the school.

    Facing it across the street → opposite.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The pharmacy is next to the bakery.
    2. The pharmacy next is the bakery.
    3. The pharmacy is next of the bakery.
    4. The pharmacy is next the bakery.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The pharmacy is next to the bakery.

    next to is one expression and keeps its to.

  8. 8Put the words in the right order.

    I live near the station

    Show answer

    Answer: I live near the station.

    near needs no to.

  9. 9Put the words in the right order.

    Put your bag under the chair

    Show answer

    Answer: Put your bag under the chair.

    The place goes after the thing.

  10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. The keys are on the table.
    2. The milk is in the fridge.
    3. The keys are in the table.
    4. The bag is under the table.
    Show answer

    Answer: C The keys are in the table.

    A table top is a surface → on.

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