Place, position and movement

Approximate A1–A2 · editorial content label, not a certified rating.

In often places something within an area or container; on describes contact with a surface; at can identify a point or activity location. Movement towards a destination often uses to. Into stresses movement from outside to inside. Use the complete scene to select a phrase.

Try the three exercise formats

Examples to compare

The keys are in the closed box.
The cup is on the table.
She walked into the room.

Watch the meaning and the limits

A place noun alone cannot always choose one preposition. At school can mean taking part in the school activity; in the school can emphasize the building. These questions use simple physical relations and avoid grading a possible alternative interpretation.

Read each example aloud, then change one detail to make a sentence you could use. Continue with focused practice when you want a different set.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Mistake: ~~She walked to inside the room.~~

Use: She walked into the room.

Into expresses movement from outside to inside.

Try the pattern

3 choose questions · 2 sentence completions · 2 word gaps. Read the reason after every answer. No timer.

Typed answers stay on this page. This guided set checks the requested construction; it does not judge general writing. Read the accepted answers and reasons.

Use it in your own sentence

Write one sentence about your own routine or situation. Check the subject, verb form and intended meaning against the rule above. A different sentence may need a different form: these exercises accept the reviewed answers for their stated context.

Try the next practice set, or choose another grammar point.

All drill answers and reasons

The keys are inside a closed box. They are ___ the box.

Choices: in / under / beside

Accepted: in
In expresses the stated inside position.
The cup rests on the table’s top surface. It is ___ the table.

Choices: on / under / behind

Accepted: on
On expresses contact with that surface.
She moved from outside to inside the room. She walked ___ it.

Choices: into / out of / away from

Accepted: into
Into states movement to the inside.
Use inside and the box: The keys are ___ .

Accepted: inside the box
Inside the box identifies the interior position.
Use into and the room: She walked ___ .

Accepted: into the room
Into combines the direction of movement with the destination’s interior.
The keys are inside a closed box. They are ___ the box. Use in, on or under.

Accepted: in
In matches the stated inside position.
The cup rests on the table’s top surface. It is ___ the table. Use at, on or in.

Accepted: on
On describes contact with that surface.

Practice questions

How do the three exercise formats work?

Choose asks you to pick an answer. Complete the sentence asks you to type the missing phrase. Fill in the word asks for one word, or no article where stated. Every checked answer includes a reason.

Which typed answers are accepted?

Use the form and meaning requested in the prompt. Reviewed alternatives and contractions are accepted where they fit. Capital letters, surrounding spaces, straight or curly apostrophes and a final full stop, question mark or exclamation mark do not affect marking. The answer reference lists the accepted forms.

Are my typed answers sent or saved?

Typed answers stay on this page in your browser. They are not sent to the server or saved. If device progress is available, completing a set records only the activity and study points on this device.

Can this check my own writing or certify my level?

No. This is a small guided set with reviewed answers, not a general grammar checker or a level certificate. An unlisted answer does not mean it is always wrong in English. Read the prompt and the explanation for this construction.

Further reference: Cambridge English Grammar Today. The explanations, examples and exercises here are original; each lesson covers a useful pattern rather than every exception.