Prepositions of Location

The most common prepositions of location are :

in

on

at

(See: In, On, At)

by

near

nearby

above

below

over

under

up

down

around

through

inside

outside (of)

between

beside

beyond

in front of

in back of

behind

next to

on top of

within

beneath

underneath

among

along

against

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,

The keys are on the table. (We both know 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 a river. (You probably don't know which one.)

I live by the river. (You know the river I'm talking about.)