Prepositions of Location

The most common prepositions of location are


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:

• Thekeysare onthe table.(Webothknow 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 ariver.(You probably don't know which one.)
• I live by the river. (You know the river I'm talking about.)