Grammar: Groups & phrases: Prepositional phrases: Expressing how / when / where / why

Expressing 'place'

Prepositional phrases may be used to express the 'place' at which the main action of a clause is accomplished. We commonly express place from two different perspectives: 'location' ('where') or 'distance' ('how long'). Distance is sometimes also called 'extent in space'. Common prepositions used for 'location' are about, above, among, around, at, before, behind, below, by, in, on, over, near, since, underneath etc, and for 'distance' about, around, for etc.

location [where?]

He is at home. [Where is he?]
We aren't allowed to play in the kitchen. [Where aren't we allowed to play?]
You're among friends. [Where are you?]

Expressions of location may also refer to 'abstract space', for example His gambling condemned him to poverty.

distance [how far?]

We walked for five miles. [How far did we walk?]

Expressions of duration most commonly use the preposition for, but they are also possible with noun groups rather than prepositional phrases: We walked five miles.

The concept of 'place' is closely related to the concept of 'time', and so we find close similarities with the concepts 'point in time' and 'extent in time' or (duration).  

For more information on 'time', click on the menu on the left: Expressing 'time'

For PrimeTeach teaching activities which provide KS2 students with practice in using prepositional phrases to express 'place', see:

Bun festival
Furniture and home
In my room
Using and creating maps