Rules to use Preposition : "in" / "on" / "at" / "under" / "between" / "with"

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Rules to use Preposition "in" / "on" / "at" / "under" / "between" / "with"

Rules for Using “in”

1. Use “in” for enclosed spaces.

• It shows something inside a place or boundary.
  Examples:


• She is waiting in the car.


• The clothes are in the cupboard.


• The children are playing in the room.

2. Use “in” to indicate a period of time.

• It shows how long something will take or after how much time it will happen.
  Examples:


• He will return in two weeks.


• The project will be completed in three days.


• I will call you in an hour.

3. Use “in” with countries, cities, and towns.

• It shows location inside a country, city, or town.
  Examples:


• They live in Paris.


• She works in India.


• My friend lives in Mumbai.

4. Use “in” for months, years, and seasons.

• It is used to show when something happens (but not exact dates).
  Examples:


• My birthday is in June.


• He was born in 2010.


• Flowers bloom in spring.


• We go on vacation in summer.

5. Use “in” to show involvement or participation.

• It shows that someone takes part in an activity.
  Examples:


• She took part in the competition.


• He is interested in sports.


• They participated in the debate.

6. Use “in” to indicate a state, condition, or mood.

• It describes someone’s situation or feeling.
  Examples:


• He is in trouble.


• She is in a good mood.


• The patient is in pain.

Quick Tip:

Use “in” when something is inside, during, or part of something.

Rules to Use “ON”

1. For Surface

• Use “on” when something is on the surface of something else.
  Example:


• The book is on the table.


• There is a stain on your shirt.

2. For Days and Dates

• Use “on” with days of the week, specific dates, and festivals.
  Example:


• The meeting is on Monday.


• My birthday is on 15th August.

3. For Devices or Media

• Use “on” when referring to TV, radio, phone, or internet.
  Example:


• I saw it on TV.


• She is talking on the phone.

4. For Position (Touching or Supported by a Surface)

• Shows that something is physically supported by something.
  Example:


• The painting is on the wall.


• There is a vase on the shelf.

5. For Streets / Roads

• Use “on” to describe location on a street or road.
  Example:


• There is a shop on MG Road.


• He lives on Park Street.

6. For Being Involved in Something

• Use “on” to show participation in a program, committee, or activity.
  Example:


• She is on the organizing committee.


• He is on duty today.

Quick Tip:

Remember: “on” = something touching or supported by a surface / specific day/date / device / street

Rules to Use “AT”

1. Specific Point or Place

• Use “at” for a specific location or point.
  Example:


• Meet me at the bus stop.


• She is at the door.

2. Specific Time

• Use “at” for exact time.
  Example:


• The train leaves at 6 o’clock.


• We will meet at noon.

3. Events or Gatherings

• Use “at” when talking about events, parties, or meetings.
  Example:


• He is at the party.


• I saw her at the wedding.

4. Addresses (Number or Point)

• Use “at” for specific addresses or buildings.
  Example:


• I live at 25 Park Street.


• She is waiting at her office.

5. Certain Expressions

• Some common expressions use “at” for state, activity, or level.
  Example:


• He is good at math.


• She is at work.


• The children are at play.

Quick Tip:

Think of “at” as a precise point—in place, time, or situation.

Rules to Use “UNDER”

1. Position Below Something

• Use “under” when something is directly below another object.
   Example:


• The cat is under the table.


• The shoes are under the bed.

2. Covered or Hidden

• Use “under” to indicate something is covered or hidden by something.
  Example:


• The book is under a pile of papers.


• The treasure was buried under the sand.

3. Authority or Control

• Use “under” to show control, rule, or authority.
  Example:


• The school is under the government’s supervision.


• Soldiers serve under the command of their officer.

4. Condition or Situation

• Use “under” to describe a state, condition, or influence.
  Example:


• The patient is under observation.


• The company is under financial pressure.

Quick Tip:

Think of “under” = below, covered, controlled, or affected by something.

Rules to Use “BETWEEN”

1. Position or Space Between Two Things

• Use “between” when something is in the middle of two objects or people.
  Example:


• The ball is between the two boxes.


• The park is between the school and the library.

2. Choice or Comparison Between Two Options

• Use “between” to indicate a choice or comparison involving two items or people.
  Example:


• You can choose between tea and coffee.


• She had to decide between two jobs.

3. Time or Period Between Two Points

• Use “between” to show a duration or range involving two times or dates.
  Example:


• The shop is open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.


• The event will take place between Monday and Wednesday.

Quick Tip:

Remember: “between” is generally used for two things or points. For more than two, we usually use “among”.

Rules to Use “WITH”

1. Togetherness or Company

• Use “with” to show that someone is together with another person or group.
  Example:


• She is walking with her friend.


• I went to the market with my brother.

2. Using a Tool, Instrument, or Object

• Use “with” to show how something is done or the instrument used.
  Example:


• He wrote the letter with a pen.


• She cut the cake with a knife.

3. Possession or Feature

• Use “with” to describe a person or thing having a certain feature or quality.
  Example:


• A boy with blue eyes.


• The house with a red roof is mine.

4. Cause or Condition

• Use “with” to indicate reason, cause, or condition.
  Example:


• He is shivering with cold.


• She was trembling with fear.

Quick Tip:

Think of “with” = together, using, possessing, or affected by something.