Words for where things are
We use special words to say where things are (their position) and which way they move (their direction). These words help you follow instructions, give directions and describe pictures.
Position words
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| above / over | higher than | The lamp is above the table. |
| below / under | lower than | The cat is under the chair. |
| on | resting on top of | The cup is on the desk. |
| in / inside | within | The ball is in the box. |
| outside | not within | The dog is outside the house. |
| beside / next to | at the side of | I sit beside my friend. |
| between | in the middle of two things | The ham is between the bread. |
| in front of | facing side | The teacher stands in front of the class. |
| behind | at the back | The garden is behind the house. |
| near / far | close / not close | The park is near; the city is far. |
Direction words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| up / down | higher / lower |
| forward / backward | the way you face / the opposite way |
| left / right | to one side or the other |
| toward / away | closer to / farther from |
| around | in a circle |
| through | in one side and out the other |
Left and right
Left and right can be tricky. One trick: hold both hands in front of you, palms down, with your thumbs sticking out. Your left hand makes an "L" shape.
Remember that left and right depend on which way you face. If a friend faces you, their right hand is on your left side.
Following directions
You can give step-by-step directions: "Take 3 steps forward. Turn right. Walk to the door." These steps are the beginning of maps, coding and coordinates.
Worked examples
Example 1: The book is on the shelf, and the bear is under the shelf. Which is higher?
The book, because it is above the bear.
Example 2: In a row, the order is apple, banana, cherry. What is between apple and cherry?
Banana.
Example 3: You face north and turn right. Which way are you facing now?
East.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up left and right, especially when looking at someone facing you.
- Confusing "in front of" and "behind" in a picture. Think about which side the object faces.
- Using "between" with only one object. Between needs two things on either side.
Try it yourself
- Name something in your room that is above you.
- What word means "next to"?
- Is the floor above or below the ceiling?
- Give directions to walk from your bed to your door.
Answers: 1) e.g. a light 2) beside 3) below 4) Answers will vary, for example: walk forward 4 steps, turn left, walk 2 steps.
Quick recap
- Position words tell where things are: above, below, beside, between.
- Direction words tell how things move: up, down, left, right.
- Left and right depend on which way you face.