A preposition of location is a preposition which is used to refer to a place where something or someone is located. There are many location prepositions, however they can be used to discuss an almost endless number of places.
The most common prepositions of location are
| in | outside (of) |
| on | between |
| at | beside |
| by | beyond |
| near | in front of |
| nearby | in back of |
| above | behind |
| below | next to |
| over | on top of |
| under | within |
| up | beneath |
| down | underneath |
| around | among |
| through | along |
| inside | against |
These prepositions are most commonly followed by “the” and a noun. Both the speaker and the listener likely know which object is being referred to.
Examples,
The keys are on the table. (We both know which table.)
The post office is next to the bakery. (Not: next to bakery)
Occasionally, prepositions can be used with “a/an.” This usually indicates that the speaker knows of the place, but the listener does not.
For example,
I live by a river. (You probably don’t know which one.)
I live by the river. (You know the river I’m talking about.)