subject + be + preposition of position + objectUse be + a position preposition + the reference thing. After between, name both sides.
Prepositions of Position
A2Use these prepositions to show where one thing is in relation to another: above, below, beside, between, opposite, next to, and behind.
What you'll learn
- Choose above or below from the direction in the picture or sentence.
- Use beside and next to for side-by-side position.
- Use between when something is in the middle of two things.
- Use opposite for places that face each other across a space.
- Use behind for something at the back of another thing.
- Read place clues like higher, middle, across, side, and back.
Structure
Build a sentence
Thing
Position word
The lampisabovethe table
The lamp is above the table.
Use above when one thing is higher than another.
When to use
Maps and streets
Use them to describe where places are on a map or street: The pharmacy is opposite the cafe. The bank is next to the post office.
Rooms and furniture
Use them to describe objects in a room: The clock is above the TV. The bag is behind the chair.
People and seats
Use them to say where people sit or stand: Maria sits beside Tom. A man is standing next to the door.
Markers
higher thanlower thanin the middleacross fromat the side ofat the back of
Common mistakes
Wrong
The picture is below the sofa.
Correct
The picture is above the sofa.
Use above for a higher position and below for a lower position.
Wrong
The cafe is between the bank.
Correct
The cafe is between the bank and the hotel.
Between needs two sides. Name both things around the middle position.
Wrong
Lisa sits opposite Anna on the same sofa.
Correct
Lisa sits beside Anna on the same sofa.
Opposite means across from, not side by side.
Wrong
The museum is next to the station, a twenty-minute walk away.
Correct
The museum is near the station, a twenty-minute walk away.
Next to means immediately at the side, not just generally close.
Wrong
The bus stop is behind the library, right in front of the main door.
Correct
The bus stop is in front of the library, right in front of the main door.
Behind means at the back. If something is by the front door, it is in front.
Common misconceptions
❝ Beside and next to mean different distances. ❞
In everyday English, both mean at the side of and very close to. Next to is more common in speech.
❝ Between only works with people or things, never with places. ❞
Between works with places too: The cafe is between the bank and the hotel.
Skills in this rule (6)
CHOOSE_ABOVE_BELOWw4Choose above or below for higher and lower position
Use above when one thing is higher than another, and below when it is lower. The two things do not need to touch.
CHOOSE_BESIDE_NEXT_TOw4Use beside and next to for side-by-side position
Use beside or next to when two people or things are at the side of each other. Both show very close position.
USE_BETWEEN_FOR_MIDDLEw5Use between for something in the middle of two things
Use between when a person or thing is in the middle, with one thing on each side. The sentence normally names both sides.
USE_OPPOSITE_FOR_ACROSSw4Use opposite for a place across from another place
Use opposite when two places face each other on different sides of a street, hall, or open space.
USE_BEHIND_FOR_BACK_POSITIONw4Use behind for something at the back of another thing
Use behind when one thing is at the back of another from the speaker's view. It can be hidden or simply farther back.
READ_POSITION_CLUESw3Use visual clues to pick the right position preposition
Look for clear place clues such as higher, lower, middle, across, side, and back. Match the clue to the correct preposition.