ESL Prepositions On/In - simple

Which preposition should you use when you CAN stand up inside of something?

Answer explanation

The correct preposition is 'on' because you can stand up on a surface inside something, like a bus or a room. Using 'in' would imply being enclosed without the ability to stand.

What preposition should you use when you CAN'T stand up in something?

Answer explanation

When you can't stand up in something, the correct preposition to use is 'in'. For example, you would say, 'I can't stand up in this chair.' This indicates being inside the chair.

True or False: You say, "I am in a car," because you cannot stand up inside it.

Answer explanation

The statement is false. Saying "I am in a car" does not imply you cannot stand up inside it; rather, it indicates your location. You can be seated or standing, depending on the car's size.

Fill in the blank: After school, we get ___ the bus. (on/in)

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'in' because we say 'in a bus' to indicate being inside the vehicle. 'On a bus' typically refers to being on top of it or in a more abstract sense, like being a passenger.

Choose the correct answer: Where is the man standing?

He is ___ the sidewalk.

• on

• in

• at

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'on' because we say someone is 'on the sidewalk' when they are physically positioned atop it. 'In' would imply being enclosed, and 'at' suggests a general location rather than a specific position.

Choose the correct answer: Where is the man sitting?

He is sitting ___ the taxi. (on/in)

• on

• in

• at

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'in' because it indicates that the man is inside the box. 'On' would suggest he is on top of the box, which is not the case here.

Fill in the blank: The toys are scattered ___ the carpet. (on/in)

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'on' because we say 'on the carpet' to indicate that the toys are placed atop the surface, while 'in the carpet' would imply they are embedded within it, which is not the intended meaning.

Multiple choice: Which sentence is correct?

• The dog is on the doghouse.

• The dog is in the doghouse.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'The dog is in the doghouse.' This indicates that the dog is inside the structure. The phrase 'on the doghouse' suggests the dog is on top of it, which is not the intended meaning.