The quick answer

Use next to, under, between, in front of and behind to describe where something is. Say The cat is under the table, not The cat is on under the table.

The rule

Each preposition describes a different position. Next to means beside or very close: The lamp is next to the sofa. Under means below something: The cat is under the table. In front of means before or facing something: The car is in front of the house. Behind means at the back of something: The garden is behind the house. Between means in the middle of two things — it always needs two things, not one: The pen is between two books.

Form

Examples

• The bag is next to the door.
• The shoes are under the bed.
• The bike is in front of the shop.
• The mirror is behind the door.
• The ball is between the sofa and the chair.

Common mistakes

• ❌ The lamp is next the sofa. → ✅ The lamp is next to the sofa. Next always needs to before the noun.
• ❌ The car is in front the house. → ✅ The car is in front of the house. In front always needs of before the noun.
• ❌ The pencil is between the book. → ✅ The pencil is between the book and the pen. Between needs two things, not one.
• ❌ The keys are under table. → ✅ The keys are under the table. Do not miss out the article the.