Prepositions of Place & Giving Directions
Prepositions of Place & Giving Directions
Prepositions of place help us describe where someone or something is located. When combined with movement and navigation, they become essential tools for giving and following directions.
Part 1: Core Prepositions of Place
The three most common prepositions of place are in, on, and at. They generally move from general spaces to specific points:
In (Inside an enclosed space, container, or area)
Examples: in the room, in a box, in the park, in New York.
On (On a surface or a line/street)
Examples: on the table, on the wall, on Main Street, on the second floor.
At (At a specific point, location, or address)
Examples: at the bus stop, at the door, at 42 Wallaby Way, at the corner.
Other Important Position Prepositions
Next to / Beside: Right beside something else (The bookstore is next to the café).
Between: In the middle of two things (The park is between the library and the bank).
Behind: At the back of something (The car is behind the building).
In front of: Directly facing the front of something (The statue is in front of the museum).
Under / Below: Lower than something else (The cat is under the bed).
Opposite: Across from something (The post office is opposite the station).
Part 2: Prepositions & Phrases for Giving Directions
When guiding someone from one place to another, you use a mix of prepositions, directional verbs, and landmarks.
A. Movement Prepositions
Across: Moving from one side to the other (Walk across the street).
Through: Moving from one side to the inside/middle of an enclosed space to the other side (Walk through the park).
Past: Going beyond a specific landmark without stopping (Walk past the bakery).
Along: Moving following a line, path, or street (Walk along First Avenue).
B. Turning & Position Phrases
Turn left / Turn right at the corner.
Go straight (or Keep going straight) for two blocks.
It’s on your left / It’s on your right once you arrive.
C. Example Conversation (Putting It Together)
Tourist: "Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the train station?"
Local: "Sure! Go straight down this street along the park. When you reach the traffic lights, turn left. Walk past the supermarket, and you will see the station right next to the post office. It’s on your right!"
1
I. Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
1. Turn left _____ the intersection and keep going straight.
A) on B) at C) in D) through
2. Walk _____ the park to reach the river on the other side.
A) through B) under C) between D) at
3. The bakery is located _____ Main Street.
A) at B) in C) on D) through
4. Go _____ the bank and turn right at the supermarket.
A) opposite B) past C) under D) in front
5. The museum is _____ the library and the police station.
A) next B) among C) between D) across
6. You can find the restaurant right _____ the corner of 5th Avenue and Oak Street.
A) in B) on C) through D) along
7. The subway station is _____ the shopping mall, so you have to walk downstairs.
A) under B) on C) above D) opposite
8. Walk _____ the bridge to get to the art gallery across the river.
A) through B) across C) behind D) in
9. The coffee shop is directly _____ the hotel; just cross the street to get there.
A) next to B) between C) opposite D) through
10. The main entrance to the building is _____ your right.
A) at B) in C) on D) by
II. Complete each sentence using the most appropriate preposition from the word box below.
along | behind | in front of | next to | through | at | across | under | past | on
1. Walk __________ the corridor until you reach Room 302.
2. The dog was hiding __________ the sofa because it was scared of the thunderstorm.
3. Drive __________ the highway for about two miles before taking Exit 4.
4. There is a small coffee stand located __________ the train station entrance.
5. The bus stop is located right __________ the hospital doors, so patients don't have far to walk.
6. Go __________ the post office, then take the first street on your left.
7. The new cafe is located right __________ the bookstore. They share a wall!
8. Keep walking __________ the path until you reach the lake.
9. Be careful when you walk __________ the busy street.
10. The theater is on the second floor __________ your left as you exit the elevator.
2
III. Each sentence below contains ONE error related to prepositions or direction phrases. Identify and correct the mistake.
1. Turn to left at the stop sign and go straight.
2. The pharmacy is in the corner of Elm Street and 4th Avenue.
3. Walk past through the grocery store and turn right.
4. The car park is behind of the hotel.
5. Go straight away for two blocks until you see the bank.
6. The museum is opposite to the train station.
7. Walk along to the street until you see the yellow house.
8. The restaurant is at your left side.
9. We walked across the forest to reach the cabin.
10. The post office is in Main Street.
IV. Unscramble the words to make a grammatically correct sentence.
1. left / traffic / at / turn / the / lights
__________________________________________________________________________
2. bank / the / is / next / library / to / the
__________________________________________________________________________3. straight / two / keep / blocks / going / for
__________________________________________________________________________4. park / walk / the / through / reach / to / museum / the
__________________________________________________________________________5. is / bakery / the / opposite / supermarket / the
__________________________________________________________________________6. corner / the / cafe / on / is / the
__________________________________________________________________________7. past / cinema / go / the / and / right / turn
__________________________________________________________________________8. between / post / school / office / the / the / and / is / it
__________________________________________________________________________9. street / across / walk / the / to / bus / stop / the
__________________________________________________________________________10. your / station / right / on / is / the
__________________________________________________________________________
3
Comments