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๐ Content updated on 21 April 2026
๐ Introduction to Prepositions (in, on, at) – Quick Summary:
A preposition is a small word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. 'In' shows something inside, 'on' shows something on top or touching, and 'at' shows a specific point or place. Prepositions help us answer "Where?" questions.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence and choose the correct preposition: 'in', 'on', or 'at'. Then click “Show Answer” to see the right word, a simple explanation, and a fresh example.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence and choose the correct preposition: 'in', 'on', or 'at'. Then click “Show Answer” to see the right word, a simple explanation, and a fresh example.
In this worksheet:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
Prepositions are tiny but mighty—they help us describe where things are. For more on how words connect in a sentence, visit the
Sentence Structure hub.
And when you're ready for more preposition practice, the
Prepositions of Place & Time worksheet
will help you take the next step.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Let's learn how to use 'in', 'on', and 'at' correctly.
Solved Q.1
"The cat is sleeping _____ the box." (in/on/at)
Show Answer
Answer: in
Explanation: 'In' is used when something is inside a container or enclosed space. The cat is inside the box.
Example: The toys are in the cupboard.
Explanation: 'In' is used when something is inside a container or enclosed space. The cat is inside the box.
Example: The toys are in the cupboard.
Solved Q.2
"The book is _____ the table." (in/on/at)
Show Answer
Answer: on
Explanation: 'On' is used when something is touching the surface of something else. The book is resting on the surface of the table.
Example: She put the plate on the shelf.
Explanation: 'On' is used when something is touching the surface of something else. The book is resting on the surface of the table.
Example: She put the plate on the shelf.
Solved Q.3
"I will meet you _____ the bus stop." (in/on/at)
Show Answer
Answer: at
Explanation: 'At' is used for a specific point or location. The bus stop is a specific meeting point.
Example: She is waiting at the door.
Explanation: 'At' is used for a specific point or location. The bus stop is a specific meeting point.
Example: She is waiting at the door.
Solved Q.4
"The bird is sitting _____ a branch." (in/on/at)
Show Answer
Answer: on
Explanation: The bird is touching the surface of the branch. 'On' is used for perching or resting on a surface.
Example: The butterfly sat on the flower.
Explanation: The bird is touching the surface of the branch. 'On' is used for perching or resting on a surface.
Example: The butterfly sat on the flower.
Solved Q.5
"My uncle lives _____ Mumbai." (in/on/at)
Show Answer
Answer: in
Explanation: 'In' is used for large places like cities, countries, and continents. Mumbai is a big city.
Example: She was born in Delhi.
Explanation: 'In' is used for large places like cities, countries, and continents. Mumbai is a big city.
Example: She was born in Delhi.
Solved Q.6
"She put her pencils _____ the pencil case."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: Keep your clothes in the cupboard.
Example: Keep your clothes in the cupboard.
Solved Q.7
"There is a beautiful painting _____ the wall."
Show Answer
Answer: on
Example: The clock hangs on the wall.
Example: The clock hangs on the wall.
Solved Q.8
"I'll see you _____ school tomorrow."
Show Answer
Answer: at
Example: Let's meet at the library.
Example: Let's meet at the library.
Solved Q.9
"The fish swim _____ the water."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: The dolphins live in the ocean.
Example: The dolphins live in the ocean.
Solved Q.10
"She kept her phone _____ the bed."
Show Answer
Answer: on
Example: He left his bag on the chair.
Example: He left his bag on the chair.
Solved Q.11
"My mother is _____ home."
Show Answer
Answer: at
Example: Dad is at work.
Example: Dad is at work.
Solved Q.12
"The apples are _____ the basket."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: The clothes are in the laundry basket.
Example: The clothes are in the laundry basket.
Solved Q.13
"Write your name _____ the top of the page."
Show Answer
Answer: at
Example: Sign at the bottom of the form.
Example: Sign at the bottom of the form.
Solved Q.14
"The stars twinkle _____ the sky."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: Clouds floated in the sky.
Example: Clouds floated in the sky.
Solved Q.15
"Please put the lid _____ the jar."
Show Answer
Answer: on
Example: Screw the cap on the bottle.
Example: Screw the cap on the bottle.
Solved Q.16
"He arrived _____ the airport early."
Show Answer
Answer: at
Example: We met at the station.
Example: We met at the station.
Solved Q.17
"She found her keys _____ her bag."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: My wallet is in my pocket.
Example: My wallet is in my pocket.
Solved Q.18
"The picture is _____ the magazine cover."
Show Answer
Answer: on
Example: Her photo appeared on the front page.
Example: Her photo appeared on the front page.
Solved Q.19
"They sat _____ the back of the class."
Show Answer
Answer: at
Example: Please wait at the entrance.
Example: Please wait at the entrance.
Solved Q.20
"There is a spider _____ the ceiling."
Show Answer
Answer: on
Example: A fan is fixed on the ceiling.
Example: A fan is fixed on the ceiling.
In Hindi, prepositions are often postpositions like เคฎें (in), เคชเคฐ (on), and เคคเค (to). You can compare at the
Avyay (Indeclinables) Hub.
For more practice on where things are and when they happen, the
Prepositions of Place & Time worksheet
will help you expand your skills.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Now you try. Choose 'in', 'on', or 'at' for each sentence.
Practice Q.1
"The milk is _____ the fridge."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: The vegetables are in the basket.
Example: The vegetables are in the basket.
Practice Q.2
"I put the vase _____ the table."
Show Answer
Answer: on
Example: She placed the cup on the saucer.
Example: She placed the cup on the saucer.
Practice Q.3
"We will gather _____ the park."
Show Answer
Answer: at
Example: They are playing at the playground.
Example: They are playing at the playground.
Practice Q.4
"The birds are flying _____ the sky."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: Kites flew in the sky.
Example: Kites flew in the sky.
Practice Q.5
"She is standing _____ the bus stop."
Show Answer
Answer: at
Example: He waited at the corner.
Example: He waited at the corner.
Practice Q.6
"There is a mark _____ your shirt."
Show Answer
Answer: on
Example: I found a stain on the carpet.
Example: I found a stain on the carpet.
Practice Q.7
"My grandparents live _____ a village."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: She works in a big city.
Example: She works in a big city.
Practice Q.8
"He hung his coat _____ the hook."
Show Answer
Answer: on
Example: Hang your towel on the rail.
Example: Hang your towel on the rail.
Practice Q.9
"I'll be back _____ 5 o'clock."
Show Answer
Answer: at
Example: The meeting starts at noon.
Example: The meeting starts at noon.
Practice Q.10
"The ball rolled _____ the hole."
Show Answer
Answer: into (preposition of movement, but here 'in' is also acceptable for destination: "rolled in the hole"). We'll use 'in' for simplicity.
Answer given: in
Example: The coin fell in the drain.
Answer given: in
Example: The coin fell in the drain.
Practice Q.11
"She left her glasses _____ the desk."
Show Answer
Answer: on
Example: Keep the files on the shelf.
Example: Keep the files on the shelf.
Practice Q.12
"The children are playing _____ the garden."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: The flowers bloom in spring.
Example: The flowers bloom in spring.
Practice Q.13
"I saw him _____ the railway station."
Show Answer
Answer: at
Example: We met at the cinema hall.
Example: We met at the cinema hall.
Practice Q.14
"Write it _____ a piece of paper."
Show Answer
Answer: on
Example: She scribbled on the notepad.
Example: She scribbled on the notepad.
Practice Q.15
"He is very good _____ mathematics."
Show Answer
Answer: at
Example: She excels at painting.
Example: She excels at painting.
Practice Q.16
"The cat hid _____ the bed."
Show Answer
Answer: under (but 'in' works for under the covers? "under the bed" is common. Since we restrict to in/on/at, we'll use 'in' if enclosed, but bed is tricky. For class 3-5, "The cat hid in the bed" meaning inside blankets.) Let's use 'in' for simplicity.
Answer: in
Example: The dog curled up in its basket.
Answer: in
Example: The dog curled up in its basket.
Practice Q.17
"She was born _____ 2015."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: I started school in 2019.
Example: I started school in 2019.
Practice Q.18
"The remote is _____ the television." (on top of)
Show Answer
Answer: on
Example: Keep the book on the shelf.
Example: Keep the book on the shelf.
Practice Q.19
"I'll meet you _____ the corner of the street."
Show Answer
Answer: at
Example: Let's stand at the gate.
Example: Let's stand at the gate.
Practice Q.20
"There is water _____ the bottle."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: The juice is in the glass.
Example: The juice is in the glass.
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๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
These need a bit more thinking. Some sentences have more than one preposition or trickier uses!
Challenge Q.1
"We stayed _____ a hotel _____ the city centre." (in/on/at)
Show Answer
Answer: at a hotel; in the city centre
Explanation: 'At' for a specific place (hotel); 'in' for an area (city centre).
Example: We ate at a cafรฉ in the market.
Explanation: 'At' for a specific place (hotel); 'in' for an area (city centre).
Example: We ate at a cafรฉ in the market.
Challenge Q.2
"She put the cup _____ the saucer and placed it _____ the tray."
Show Answer
Answer: on; on
Example: He set the vase on the mat and kept it on the floor.
Example: He set the vase on the mat and kept it on the floor.
Challenge Q.3
"I'll be _____ home all day, but you can call me _____ any time."
Show Answer
Answer: at; at
Example: She is at work, available at lunch.
Example: She is at work, available at lunch.
Challenge Q.4
"He threw the keys _____ the table and they fell _____ the floor."
Show Answer
Answer: on; on
Example: She placed the book on the shelf, but it slipped on the floor.
Example: She placed the book on the shelf, but it slipped on the floor.
Challenge Q.5
"The kids are playing _____ the backyard and the dog is sleeping _____ the porch."
Show Answer
Answer: in; on
Example: Birds chirp in the garden, and a cat sits on the wall.
Example: Birds chirp in the garden, and a cat sits on the wall.
Challenge Q.6
"She is sitting _____ the front row _____ the cinema."
Show Answer
Answer: in; at (or in)
Explanation: 'In' the front row (a line/row); 'at' the cinema (specific place).
Example: We stood in the queue at the ticket counter.
Explanation: 'In' the front row (a line/row); 'at' the cinema (specific place).
Example: We stood in the queue at the ticket counter.
Challenge Q.7
"I read about it _____ the newspaper this morning."
Show Answer
Answer: in
Example: There was an article in the magazine.
Example: There was an article in the magazine.
Challenge Q.8
"He arrived _____ the party late but joined us _____ the dance floor."
Show Answer
Answer: at; on
Example: She came at the event and stood on the stage.
Example: She came at the event and stood on the stage.
Challenge Q.9
"The picture is hanging _____ the wall _____ my bedroom."
Show Answer
Answer: on; in
Example: The clock is on the wall in the hall.
Example: The clock is on the wall in the hall.
Challenge Q.10
"I'll be waiting _____ the bus stop _____ 5 pm."
Show Answer
Answer: at; at
Example: Meet me at the station at noon.
Example: Meet me at the station at noon.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ 1
What is a preposition?
Show Answer
Answer: A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun and other words. It often tells where or when. Examples: in, on, at, under, beside.
FAQ 2
When do we use 'in'?
Show Answer
Answer: Use 'in' for enclosed spaces (in a box, in a room), large places (in India, in a city), and periods of time (in July, in 2020, in the morning).
FAQ 3
When do we use 'on'?
Show Answer
Answer: Use 'on' for surfaces (on the table, on the wall), certain transport (on a bus, on a plane), and specific days/dates (on Monday, on 5th May).
FAQ 4
When do we use 'at'?
Show Answer
Answer: Use 'at' for specific points or locations (at the door, at school), and precise times (at 6 o'clock, at noon).
FAQ 5
Can one preposition have different uses?
Show Answer
Answer: Yes! For example, 'in' can be used for place (in the room) and time (in the evening). 'On' for place (on the table) and time (on Tuesday).
