Learn this pairing: in = inside something. We also say in a city.
in = inside
The pen is in the bag.
Amina is in the library.
Hiroshi lives in Haffenville.
Not "Amina lives on Haffenville." — say "Amina lives in Haffenville.". For a city, the pairing to learn is in, not "on".
Try it: Hiroshi lives ___ Haffenville. (in / on / under) Answer: in — For a city, the word to learn is in: in Haffenville. "on" is for surfaces, not cities.
on = a surface
Learn this pairing: on = touching the top of a surface.
The book is on the table.
The cup is on the desk.
The bag is on the chair.
Not "The book is in the table." — say "The book is on the table.". It sits on top, so the pairing is on, "in" would mean inside the table.
Try it: Sofia is at the park office. Her book is ___ the table, and her bag is under it. (on / in / under) Answer: on — Her bag is under the table. Her book is on top of the table, so the word is on. "under" is where the bag is, and "in" would mean inside the table.
under = below
Learn this pairing: under = below something.
The ball is under the chair.
The shoes are under the bed.
The cat is under the table.
Not "The ball is on the chair." — say "The ball is under the chair.". Below means under, "on" would put the ball on top instead.
Try it: The ball is ___ the chair, on the floor. (under / on / in) Answer: under — The ball is below the chair, so the word is under. "on" would put it on top of the chair.
Try it: Lars: Where are your keys? Sofia: They are ___ my bag, with my wallet and my phone. Choose the word that says where the keys are. (in / on / under) Answer: in — The keys are together with the wallet and the phone, inside the bag, so the word is in. "on" would put them on top of the bag, and "under" would put them below it.
at home, at work, at school
at home, at work and at school are three fixed phrases. In these three, nothing goes between at and the word.
Sofia is at home today.
Lars is at work at the park office.
Mei is at school.
Not "Sofia is at the home." — say "Sofia is at home.". These three phrases are just at plus the place.
Try it: Lars is not at the park office today. He is ___. (at home / at the home / in home) Answer: at home — The fixed phrase is at home. "at the home" adds a word the phrase does not take, and "in home" uses the wrong first word.
next to = beside
Learn this pairing: next to = right beside something. Don't add words before it.
Amina sits next to Hiroshi.
The cafe is next to the library.
The lamp is next to the bed.
Not "Amina sits in next to Hiroshi." — say "Amina sits next to Hiroshi.". It is just next to, don't add "in" in front of it.
Try it: The cafe is ___ the library. (next to / next of / next) Answer: next to — The whole phrase is next to: not "next of", and not just "next".
between = in the middle
Learn this pairing: between = in the middle of two things, one on each side.
The bank is between the two shops.
Amina sits between Hiroshi and Sofia.
The park is between the school and the cafe.
Not "The bank is between the shop." — say "The bank is between the two shops.". between needs two things, one on each side.
Try it: The cafe is on one side of the bank. The library is on the other side. The bank is ___ them. (between / behind / under) Answer: between — There is one building on each side of the bank, so it is between them. "behind" would put the bank at the back of them, and "under" would put it below them.
behind = at the back
Learn this pairing: behind = at the back of something. Don't add "of" after it.
The car is behind the house.
The garden is behind the school.
Hiroshi stands behind Amina.
Not "The car is behind of the house." — say "The car is behind the house.". It is just behind, no "of" after it.
Try it: The house is between the street and the car. The car is ___ the house. (behind / behind of / in front of) Answer: behind — From the street the house comes first and the car comes after it, so the car is behind the house, with no "of" after it. "in front of" would put the car between the street and the house.
in front of = at the front
Learn this pairing: in front of = at the front of something.
Hiroshi stands in front of the door.
The bus stops in front of the library.
A tree is in front of the house.
Not "Hiroshi stands behind the door." — say "Hiroshi stands in front of the door.". At the front is in front of, "behind" would put him at the back.
Try it: The bus stops ___ the library, right by the entrance. (in front of / behind / between) Answer: in front of — It stops at the front, by the entrance, so it is in front of. "behind" would be at the back.
Try it: The cup sits on top of the desk. The cup is ___ the desk. (on / in / under) Answer: on — On top of a surface is on: on the desk. "in" means inside; "under" means below.