Prepositions of place · Preposiciones de lugar
Where things are
- Prepositions of place say where something is.
- The cat is on the bed. The ball is under the table.
- Small words, but very useful.
The cat is under the table. It is not helping with dinner.
Dónde están las cosas
- Las preposiciones de lugar indican dónde se encuentra algo.
- El gato está en la cama. La pelota está debajo de la mesa.
- Palabras pequeñas, pero muy útiles.
El gato está debajo de la mesa. No está ayudando con la cena.
in / on / under
- in = inside: in the box, in the bag.
- on = on a surface: on the table, on the wall.
- under = below: under the chair.
in / on / under
- in = dentro: in the box (en la caja), in the bag (en la bolsa).
- on = sobre una superficie: on the table (sobre la mesa), on the wall (en la pared).
- under = debajo: under the chair (debajo de la silla).
The book is on the table. Which word shows the surface? · El libro está sobre la mesa. ¿Qué palabra indica la superficie?
A surface (the table top) → on. · Una superficie (la parte superior de la mesa) → sobre.
Complete: The keys are ___ the bag. (inside) · Completa: Las llaves están ___ la bolsa. (dentro)
Inside something → in: “in the bag”. · Dentro de algo → en: “en la bolsa”.
Translate into English: 猫在椅子下面。 · Traduce al inglés: 猫在椅子下面。
Below → under: “The cat is under the chair.” · Debajo → bajo: “The cat is under the chair.”
next to / between / behind
- next to = beside: next to the door.
- between = in the middle of two things: between the shops.
- behind = at the back; in front of = at the front.
next to / between / behind
- next to = al lado de: next to the door (al lado de la puerta).
- between = entre dos cosas: between the shops (entre las tiendas).
- behind = detrás; in front of = enfrente.
in, on or under? · ¿en, sobre o debajo?
in = inside, on = on a surface, under = below. · in = dentro, on = sobre una superficie, under = debajo.
Choose: She sits ___ Tom and Sam. · Elige: Ella se sienta ___ Tom y Sam.
Between two people/things → between (… and …). · Entre dos personas/cosas → entre (… y …).
Asking Where …?
- Use Where + is / are: Where is my phone? Where are the keys?
- Answer with a preposition: It's on the desk.
Preguntar por el lugar …?
- Usa Where + is / are: Where is my phone? (¿Dónde está mi teléfono?) Where are the keys? (¿Dónde están las llaves?).
- Responde con una preposición: It's on the desk (Está sobre el escritorio).
Common mistakes
- ❌ The picture is in the wall. → ✓ The picture is on the wall.
- ❌ The shop is next the bank. → ✓ next to the bank.
- ❌ between Tom with Sam → ✓ between Tom and Sam.
Errores comunes
- ❌ The picture is in the wall. → ✓ The picture is on the wall.
- ❌ The shop is next the bank. → ✓ next to the bank.
- ❌ between Tom with Sam → ✓ between Tom and Sam.
Match the meaning to the preposition. · Une el significado con la preposición.
in = inside, on = touching the top, under = below, next to = at the side. · in = dentro, on = tocando la parte superior, under = debajo, next to = al lado.
Is this correct? “The picture is on the wall.” · ¿Es correcto? “The picture is on the wall.”
Yes — the picture touches the wall's surface, so on is right. · Sí — la imagen toca la superficie de la pared, por lo tanto, sobre es correcto.
- in (inside), on (a surface), under (below).
- next to (beside), between (… and …), behind (at the back).
- Ask with Where is / are …?
- in (dentro), on (sobre una superficie), under (debajo).
- next to (al lado de), between (… y …), behind (detrás).
- Pregunta con Where is / are …?
Look at your room. Write one sentence saying where something is, using a preposition of place. · Mira tu habitación. Escribe una oración indicando dónde está algo, usando una preposición de lugar.
Example: “My bag is on the chair.” · Ejemplo: “My bag is on the chair.”