subject + be + between + object + and + objectUse between with two named sides, people, places, or endpoints.
Extended Place Prepositions
B1Use between for two, among for a group, beside for next to, opposite for across from, underneath for lower covered position, and throughout for every part of a place.
What you'll learn
- Choose between when there are two clear sides or points.
- Choose among when something is inside a larger group.
- Tell beside next to apart from besides in addition.
- Use opposite for a place facing another place across from it.
- Use underneath for below cover and throughout for all parts.
Structure
subject + be + among + plural/group nounUse among for position inside a group or crowd, not between two points.
subject + be + beside + objectBeside shows physical position at the side of something: next to.
Besides + object, + clauseBesides means in addition to. It adds another item or fact, not a place.
subject + be + opposite + objectOpposite shows a place facing another place across from it.
subject + be + underneath + objectUnderneath often suggests lower position with something above, over, or covering it.
subject + be + throughout + objectThroughout means in every part of a place, across the whole area.
Build a sentence
Context
Word
The caféisbetweenthe bank and the post office
The café is between the bank and the post office.
Use between for two clear sides or points.
When to use
Directions
Use these words to explain where places are in a town or building: opposite the bank, beside the elevator, between the doors.
Maps and layouts
Describe exact position on a map or plan: between two offices, among the trees, underneath the bridge.
Whole area
Show that something exists in all parts of a place: music throughout the hotel, lights throughout the street market.
Markers
two clear pointsinside a groupnext toin additionacross and facingbelow and coveredin every part
Common mistakes
Wrong
The café is among the bank and the post office.
Correct
The café is between the bank and the post office.
Use between when there are two clear places on each side.
Wrong
Maria was standing between the tourists.
Correct
Maria was standing among the tourists.
Use among when someone is inside a larger group, not between two named points.
Wrong
Tom sat besides Anna.
Correct
Tom sat beside Anna.
Beside means next to. Besides means in addition to.
Wrong
Beside English, Lisa speaks Italian.
Correct
Besides English, Lisa speaks Italian.
Use besides to add extra information. Beside is about physical place.
Wrong
There are security cameras through the building.
Correct
There are security cameras throughout the building.
Use throughout when something is present in all parts of a place.
Common misconceptions
❝ Between is only for physical space you can see on a map. ❞
Between also works with people, times, choices, and other pairs of clear points.
❝ Beside and besides are just spelling variants of the same word. ❞
Beside means next to. Besides means also or in addition to.
❝ Under and underneath always mean exactly the same thing. ❞
Both can show lower position, but underneath often gives a stronger sense of something above, over, or covering it.
Skills in this rule (8)
BETWEEN_FOR_TWOw5Use between for two people, things, or sides
Use between when something is in the middle of two clear points, people, or objects. The two sides can be named nouns or fixed endpoints.
AMONG_FOR_GROUPw5Use among inside a group or crowd
Use among when someone or something is surrounded by several people or things, not just two. The group matters more than exact positions.
BESIDE_FOR_NEXT_TOw4Use beside to mean next to
Use beside to show that one thing is at the side of another. It gives a physical position close to something.
BESIDES_FOR_IN_ADDITIONw4Use besides to add extra items or information
Use besides when you mean in addition to that person, thing, or fact. It does not show physical place.
OPPOSITE_ACROSS_FROMw4Use opposite for a place facing another place
Use opposite when one place is on the other side and faces another place. It often appears in directions and location descriptions.
UNDERNEATH_LOWER_COVEREDw4Use underneath for a lower position, often with cover above
Use underneath when something is under another thing, often touching it or covered by it. It is stronger and more physical than simple under in many contexts.
THROUGHOUT_IN_EVERY_PARTw5Use throughout to mean in every part of a place
Use throughout when something spreads across the whole area from one part to another. It focuses on complete coverage, not one point.
PLACE_MARKERSw3Recognize common patterns for these place prepositions
Notice cues like two endpoints, a group, facing across, hidden below, or spread across a whole area. These cues help you choose the right preposition fast.