- English
- Classes 6-8
- 4 min read
Prepositions of place and time
Use in, on, at, under, between, before and after correctly to say where things are and when things happen.
Let us begin
The big idea
A preposition is a small word that shows how a noun is connected to the rest of the sentence. It can tell us where something is (the cat is under the bed) or when something happens (school starts at nine). This lesson sorts out the most common ones.
Prepositions of place tell position. In means inside something: in the box, in the room, in Delhi. On means touching a surface: on the table, on the wall, on the road. At means a point or a place thought of as a point: at the door, at school, at the bus stop.
Other place prepositions are easy to picture: under (below and covered), below (lower than), above and over (higher than), between (in the middle of two things), among (in a group of many), behind, in front of, beside or next to, near and opposite.
Prepositions of time follow a size rule. At is for exact times: at 5 o clock, at noon, at night. On is for days and dates: on Monday, on 15 August, on my birthday. In is for longer periods: in July, in 2024, in the morning, in winter, in the 20th century.
Before and after show order in time: wash your hands before eating; we played after school. For shows how long (for two hours), since shows the starting point (since Monday), and from ... to shows a span (from 9 to 11).
A preposition is always followed by a noun or pronoun, called its object. The pronoun after a preposition takes the object form: between you and me, with him, for us.
Worked examples
See how it works
In, on, at for place
The pencils are in the box. The box is on the shelf. Meet me at the gate. Notice: in for inside, on for a surface, at for a point.
In, on, at for time
The train leaves at 6.30. We have a holiday on Friday. My cousin was born in 2012. Exact time takes at, a day takes on, a month or year takes in.
Between and among
Sit between Ravi and Sita (two people). Share the sweets among all the children (many people).
Object of a preposition
This is a secret between you and me, not between you and I. The pronoun after a preposition is always in the object form: me, him, her, us, them.
Try it at home
Where is the coin?
You will need
- A coin
- A cup
- A book
- Paper and a pencil
What to do
- Put the coin in the cup. Say: The coin is in the cup. Write the sentence.
- Now put the coin on the book, under the cup, beside the book, between the book and the cup. Say and write a sentence each time.
- Ask someone to hide the coin somewhere in the room. Describe where it is using at least three prepositions.
- Write five sentences about your day using at, on and in for time: I wake up at 6. I have art on Tuesday. My exams are in March.
Practice sheet
Check what you learned
Practice sheet: Prepositions of place and time (Classes 6-8, English)
- Fill in: The keys are ___ the drawer. (in / on / at)
- Fill in: There is a picture ___ the wall. (in / on / at)
- Fill in: Wait for me ___ the bus stop. (in / on / at)
- Fill in: My birthday is ___ 12 March. (in / on / at)
- Fill in: We go to the hills ___ summer. (in / on / at)
- Fill in: The shop opens ___ 10 o clock. (in / on / at)
- Fill in: The river flows ___ the two villages. (between / among)
- Fill in: Please share the fruit ___ all your friends. (between / among)
- Correct the sentence: This is between you and I.
- Fill in: We have lived here ___ 2019. (for / since)
- Fill in: Brush your teeth ___ going to bed. (before / after)
Answer key
Answers: Prepositions of place and time
- in (inside the drawer).
- on (touching the surface of the wall).
- at (a point or place).
- on (dates take on).
- in (seasons take in).
- at (exact times take at).
- between (two villages).
- among (many friends).
- This is between you and me (object form after a preposition).
- since (a starting point in time).
- before.